I Guess I'm Stuck With You

Chapter 7: In Which Something Interesting Happens

12:28 PM

"Jackson's presidency was an interesting one, seeing as he was the first powerful president. And under his administration, the financial system was nearly destroyed after he refused to recharter the..."

Ms. Lowlie continued to drone on about Jackson and his presidency as I began to zone out. AP US History was the definition of boring, and after yesterday, it had become difficult for me to pay attention in my classes. Once I arrived home late yesterday, my parents had yelled at me for a good hour, interrogating me about why I was late and then why on earth had I not told them that I had been stuck in an elevator. Then this morning, I had to attend this unbearable meeting with my parents, Mrs. Anderson, and Jordan and his parents to discuss what had happened yesterday. At most, it had been mildly entertaining, Mrs. Anderson desperately trying to defend her position against our parents. But once it was over, I had rushed out of that room, tired of talking about that stupid elevator. Jordan had been right behind my heels. We hung out by my locker talking until the bell rang, and I hadn't seen him since.

"Angelica? Angelica." I snapped back to attention once I realized Ms.Lowlie had been calling my name for the past minute.

"Um, yes?" Ms. Lowlie sighed, crossing her arms.

"I asked if you could make any connections with Jackson's election to anything that's going on today."

"Uh..." I racked my brain, trying furiously to produce an answer. I hadn't even payed attention to a single thing Ms. Lowlie had said these past two periods, and catching up with her lessons were a pain. "Well-"

The buzz of the bell interrupted me, saving me from the embarrassment of fumbling for a response. Chairs screeched against the floor as students immediately leapt out of their seats and made their way out the door. I got up, gathering my things as Ms. Lowlie sighed and returned to her desk. I was just about to walk out the door when she called to me.

"Ms. Skylar? A moment?" I froze mid-step before turning around reluctantly.

"Uh, yes?"

"Don't think I didn't notice you, I was watching Angelica," she droned, and I shuffled nervously from side to side. "You didn't write down a single thing during the whole 90 minute block, and I know you weren't paying attention. Now I understand yesterday may have been traumatic for you, but you need to get your head in the game, it's nearly midterms and I guarantee you that Jackson will be on it. Do you understand?"

I give a small nod. "Yes, Ms. Lowlie, I'll pay attention next time and get the notes from someone else." I turned on my heel to leave, and my hand was on the doorknob when she stopped me a second time.

"Angelica?"

"Yes Ms.Lowlie?" I sigh, exasperated.

"Please refrain from muttering next class as well." I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to face her, surprised.

"I was muttering?"

She scowled at me, combing a strand of blonde hair from her face.

"Yes, I don't lie, now do I. And if I wasn't mistaken, you kept saying Jordan's name. Repeatedly I might add." I felt my cheeks redden. Wait. I hadn't really...had I? Oh gods. Please no.

"Um, was I loud?" I squeaked. Ms. Lowlie let out an audible snort, and she bit down a smirk.

"Yes, I think a couple of your classmates may have heard you." My face grew even hotter, and I squeaked a small thank you before rushing out of the room. As I started making my way to my locker, I thought to myself. Had I really been that engrossed in my own thoughts where I had started muttering to myself about Jordan? And had everyone else really heard me? Oh gods. As I walked down the hall I spotted Mia, who had been in class with me.