I was so glad that everything had smoothed out with the others. I fetched my tracking chip and put it back in its place. Everything was back to normal. Except for Carly. I had forgiven Harrison, but I still held strong feelings for Carly. But she would never know. My nerve was lost.
I stifled a sigh as I listened to Mr. Wharton tell us about scientific notation. I tuned out and imagined next week’s basketball game. “He shoots….he SCORES!” I said to myself. Then I felt a thousand eyes burning into my back. Turning slowly I gave a little pathetic chuckle. “Heh-heh...heh.”.
“Well, Mr. Patterson,” Mr. Wharton said in that horrid, wheezy voice of his. “Perhaps you would like to share what you were day dreaming about in the middle of my class!”
I smiled and said, “It was awesome! Mr Wharton was this worm who could regenerate! And we kept stepping on him!” That brought a lot of laughter! No doubt it would be all over the school by next period.
“You know what else is funny?” He asked sarcastically. I shook my head. “DETENTION! And thanks to Mr Patterson, everyone can write down all the rules of Scientific Notation!”
The class groaned. I smiled. Anything to get out of math!
I took the little pink slip with joy. I literally skipped to the principal’s office. He wasn’t there so I took a seat in the waiting room. From my position, I could see the secretary’s computer. I read the words: Gradebook. And conveniently it was open on my name. I read it:
Report Card for STUDENT: PATTERSON, Jake Christopher
Teacher: Mr. Zimmer Grade: D Percent: 66 Position: 24th
MODERN LANGUAGES SECTION FOR QUARTER 3:
FRENCH:
Teacher: Madame Belle Grade: D- Percent: 56 Position: 27th
PERFORMING ARTS:
DRAMA:
Teacher: Mr Russell Grade: A+ Position: 2nd
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Teacher: Mrs. Breedlove Grade: A+ Position: 1st
OVERALL ACADEMIC SCORE: 55%
OTHER SUBJECTS: 100%
GPA: 0.12 GRADE: D-
Your child’s academic results are under the necessary score to pass on into ninth grade. If your child fails to get 70% or higher by the end of the academic year he will be required to go to summer school. If he fails to meet the appropriate standards in summer school, he will be held back.