The Gems of Element

Part 1: Earth ~ Chapter III

The school day flew by pretty quickly. It's already the last subject, and I'm still dozing off. I can barely make out what the woman in front of the class is saying, and every time I look at her, all I see is a blurry figure in the shape of my Chemistry teacher. My gaze keeps turning to the window on my left. My head rests on my right hand like it's a pillow. 

'I don't know why I'm so sleepy' I don't usually sleep in class, but for some reason today was an exception. Maybe it was because of what happened earlier this morning, or maybe it was because Chemistry is just really boring. Suddenly the sound of my name being called snapped me out of my daze.

"Ms. Nijiro."

I stood up sheepishly, all of my classmates eyes were now focused on me. 'Oh God, I'm in trouble.'

"Were you having a nice nap?"

"Yes." I reflexively answered. I hear some of my classmates snicker, most of them covered their mouths to prevent themselves from laughing. 'Idiot' I say to myself. I could see my teacher's smile grow wider, although the vein on her forehead that was about to pop was a noticeable contrast.

"Well you must be tired from all the learning you did today, am I right?"

"No I-"

"The lesson is too simple for you, is it? You think you can take it easy, because you already understand what I'm trying to teach, right?"

"Miss Miller, I really didn't-!"

"If that is the case, then you'll have no problem telling me what disease is caused by excessive amounts of copper in the tissues, right?"

"I-"

"Or, how about the names of the four most recently discovered elements on the Periodic Table? Or how many groups there are? Do you even remember who made the very first one?"

She places a hand on her hip with a serious look on her face. I'm frozen, I don't know what to say. My classmates eyes are still on me and my heart starts racing. I look down in shame, my hands hold each other in front of me. They feel sweaty, my entire body feels sweaty. My teacher lowers her head and sighs.

"Maybe if you would read your notes instead of drooling on them, then you'd be able to answer my question?"

I wipe my right hand on my jeans. The "sweat" was actually my drool. Ew.

"Look, I understand that this is last period. You're probably burned out, and you're tired. You probably want to go home and rest up, believe me I do too. But just please try to be patient, ok?"

"Yes. I'm really sorry, Ms. Miller. I promise I'll pay more attention." I could feel my classmates pity all around me. They might've been laughing at me earlier, but they also know what it feels like to be in my shoes. After all I'm not the only one who's been called out by the teacher like this.

"Alright then. Please take your seat."

I slump down as I sit. My head is still down but I pick up my pencil and actually start listening to the lecture. 15 minutes later and the bell rings, thus the school day had ended. I sit up and gather my things. One of the pages of my notebook is covered in drool. I mentally facepalm myself,'I regret everything.' Just as I'm about to walk out the door, I hear somebody call out my name from behind me.

"Ms. Nijiro? Come here I need to have a word with you."

I turn around and see Ms. Miller focusing on a stack of papers in front of her. She beckons me with one of her hands. I walk up to her with a smile on my face. 'I can just pretend nothing went wrong. I'm sure she's forgotten about what happened already!'