I never expected to take a Calculus class. I certainly never expected to pass it. I'd failed most math tests and barely survived passing the classes—see what happens when you do your homework, you get enough grade points to survive another day.

I also never expected to reach the top percentile for the nation in math. Someone who could barely pass a math class was in the top percentile for the nation? I fear for our nation.

The reason for the Calculus class sprang from another unexpected event. I began the computer science degree course. One of the requirements was Calculus.

Fortunately, I was not as nervous as you'd think. By this time, I was actually halfway decent at math thanks to a high school teacher; she actually made math fun, interesting, and relevant—quite the feat in my opinion. Kind of odd how all her students had such high marks too. Hmm...

My point is life can throw some mean curveballs. Like starting a computer science course in order to stay in college because that was the only place you could find a job; and if you were no longer a student, you couldn't keep the job. You really think I wanted to stay in college for such a long time? It was the only way I was getting work.

I went to college to become a writer. I was looking into journalism, but there was no listing for it. When I told the counselor my goals, they just stared at me and suggested a literature degree. Once I got the literature degree, I had a job with the college and wanted to stick with it (no one outside of the school wanted to hire me). I started the computer science program. Once I graduated with the computer science degree, I discovered that there had always been a journalism degree; they hid it on me. I finally was able to get the degree I really wanted...after a few more years in college. *sigh*

Another curveball came in the form of the many times my family moved. At one point it seemed to be a yearly event. I'd just start to make friends and feel like I belonged only to move. I was constantly the "new guy" and the butt of the hazing.

Finally Mom said, "This is it. We're not moving."

Right, I thought.

I'd grown tired of saying good-bye and being a joke that I just gave up, which is probably what caused a mess of problems for me. If I'd just been strong for a little bit longer, who knows what would have happened. I'm not trying to pass blame; I was the one who chose to surrender.

Eventually, I managed to make some friends. Ironically, or in some twisted sense humor on the part of Fate, the friend moved instead of me. Not long after this, the other friend betrayed me and began hanging out with the people who bullied me, which was pretty much everyone.

***

"Don't forget about the time you won that neon light by exactly guessing the number Classmate A was thinking."

I nearly jumped at the sound of the familiar feminine voice. "Suzie!" I said. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a diner. What do you think?"

"Oh. Right."

"If you're writing about unexpected things, don't forget the neon light. Classmate A brought it in for show and tell. He then gave it away to the person who could guess the closest to the number he picked. You got it exactly...twice. It was like you were supposed to get it."

Suzie climbed into the seat across from me. "You also got to tell them about all the times you found things that could not be found; you found all the missing invisible string for the snowflake festival." She rested her hands on the table. "Or how when we did the hearing tests, the conductor asked if you were cheating because you were hearing sounds others can't. Those were very unexpect—" She stopped short when the neon diner sign flickered.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Itwas only for a few seconds; but when they came on, Suzie was gone. I found hersitting at the counter, but she wouldn't acknowledge me.

_________

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