Chapter 44

The Clock

I couldn't wait to get out of school. That was pretty normal for me, but today I just couldn't stand sitting around in Spanish for the rest of the day. I passed the time by staring at the clock. 3...2...1...there! It was 3:06. Only five more minutes of hell before I was free.

I had already tuned out the teacher and the other kids, none of which I was really friends with. I simply listening to the ticking of the clock. It was oddly comforting. It almost relaxed me a little.

I heard the bell ring and I jolted from my seat.

"No homework today!" my teacher shouted. "Hasta mañana!"

I ran out of the room and out the door. I managed to weave my way around some upperclassmen and found Samina sitting on one of the benches.

"Hello," she said.

"Hey," I replied. "So you said you had something planned?"

"Yes, I did," Samina said. "My dad works at this restaurant and they agreed that they would donate half of their profits for the day to our project. It'll be really easy, we just have to get a bunch of people from our school to come."

"Is that a good idea?" I asked the Magic 8 Ball.

Ask again later.

I shrugged. "Sounds okay to me."

"Don't thank me, thank Candace," Samina said. "She came up with the idea."

"Candace always comes up with the ideas!" I exclaimed.

"It's what she's good at," Samina said. "I'm good at art, she's good at fundraising."

"I feel like she's taking over the entire project," I said.

"No she's not!"

"Easy for you to say," I snapped. "You're just being a blind follower."

"And I think you should stop being a control freak," Samina said. She stood up and started walking away, her fists clenched.

"We'll go ahead with this fundraiser," I said. "But I want to plan the next one."

"Fine," Samina said. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow Isabelle." Samina waved as she headed out.

"Bye Samina," I said. I took out my Magic 8 Ball. "Am I a control freak?"

As I see it, yes.

That was just depressing. I wasn't trying to be a control freak, but as I thought about it, I sort of was. Maybe I should just relax and let Candace do what she was good at. I looked at my watch. 3:25. I stared at those digital numbers as they blinked into their next position. 3:26. Time was flying by and every second was one I could use. "Am I using the time I have left wisely?" I asked the Magic 8 Ball.

Reply hazy, try again.