When Jacob got to his mathematics class he took his seat in his normal spot. He pulled out his algebra book and tried to open it. It wouldn’t budge. He grabbed both corners of the thick book and pried at it. Nothing. Why won’t it open? He sat for a second then he reached into his backpack. He pulled out a number two pencil and prodded at a spot between the cover and the first page. He poked and stabbed at it but his pencil couldn’t puncture the crack. Then the door slammed shut and the teacher, Mr. Bliggnam, strode over to his desk and sat down.
“Now, if you will open your textbooks to page 43 so that we can get started. I want you all to take a look at the board and begin writing down the notes that I’ve written down. Then, we will begin. Go.”
Everyone did as they were told, except Jacob. He was now trying to open his notebook. It appeared to be stuck as well.
Mr. Bliggnam had a bald head that was larger than normal. You could almost see the wrinkles from the brain inside it. Everyone says he can obtain knowledge instantly. But, since he is an affected person he had to move here and teach.
“Jacob, will you come here please,” Jacob looked up to see the teacher staring at him. Everyone in the classroom began to cry out the usual ‘uh oh’ when somebody is called to his desk. Jacob grabbed his book, stood up, and slowly walked to the front of the class. Mr. Bliggnam didn’t break eye contact. As Jacob approached, Mr. Bliggnam held up a hand that stopped Jacob in his tracks. “Is there a reason why your book isn’t open?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but it won’t open,” Mr. Bliggnam raised an eyebrow and snatched the book from his hand.
As the teacher opened the book and flipped through its’ pages, Jacob couldn’t help but wonder why it wouldn’t open for him, but would for Mr. Bliggnam. Also, the long pointed nose that poked out from Mr. Bliggnam’s glasses was a little disturbing. The old man kept grinding his nose over the top of his left index finger whenever he made a point. But, that wasn’t what bothered Jacob the most. It was when the old teacher used that same finger to flip through his book. The finger glistened as it slid between each page and Jacob cringed inside.
“It seems to open just fine, Jacob. Now, take a seat and write down what you see on the board.”
Jacob took his book back and went back to his seat. He held the book open on page 48 and sat down.
“Gah!” cried Jacob, as the book slammed shut on his thumbs. A few heads turned as Jacob fought the book from his thumbs.
“Jacob? What is going on back there?” Said Mr. Bliggnam. A few of Jacob’s classmates chuckled and giggled to each other. This was Jacob’s worst nightmare.
“Noth…nothing Mr. Bliggnam.” Jacob pulled harder and harder until the book flew from his hands and slammed into the back of the head of, none other than, Ricky Henderson. Jacob froze in place. His head broke out in a cold sweat.
Ricky turned around and grabbed the book from the floor. The big kid slowly stood up and walked over to Jacobs’ seat. He set the book down and said, “Maybe, you should take my seat in the front of the class.”
Jacob nodded as much as he could and grabbed all of his things and traded desks with Ricky. He sat his books on his new desk and opened it back to page 48. It opened? Then, it finally came to him. Jacob made a promise. He was to sit in the front of every class, from now on, or, Ricky would pick on him again. Jacob looked back to Ricky and mouthed a ‘thank you’ and began writing the notes on the board. Jessica certainly did ‘something’ to Ricky and Jacob was very grateful.