January 18 2015, 4 months ago
It was the first day of the second semester at Lyons Academy. Stanlee was sitting at his desk in Mrs Pat's class his new homeroom. He genuinely was tired from exams and just wanted to sleep. However he knew better than to rest his head. Mrs Pat was twirling that gavel on her desk again. Just looking for a victim to give a concussion.
She banged her gavel on her desk."Which one of you can tell me how absolute values work?"
Stanlee rose his hand. The only person with a hand up. Everybody else was clearly uninterested. Who would be hyped to start the second semester in a math class?
Mrs Pat smiled, "Not you Stanlee, you already saved your classmates enough today. Now lets see."
Mrs. Pat scanned the room. Her technique was to find the most laziest uninterested student in her class who never usually answers. She calls them "Lyon slackers."
Her squinted eyes stopped scanning. "Wade answer this."
Everybody in the class turned their necks to the far-left corner of the room where Wade sat. He had his head down on his desk, clearly gaming on his phone, playing 2k mobile. Wade still hadn't lifted his head, much less noticed he was being called on.
Mrs. Pat had the evilest smirk. She stood from her desk and crossed over to Wade's desk in three long strides. She wound that gavel back and released.
CLANGGGG
Wade jumped back in his seat and groaned loudly, "Bro what?"
Mrs. Pat grinned with her eyes closed, "Good to know you're still with us, Wade. So, for one, put the phone away. Two, answer my question. "
Before Wade could even answer her question there was a double knock on Mrs.Pats door.
Mrs Pat stared laser beams at Wade, "I'll be right back for your answer."
She made her way to the front of the class and opened the door. In stepped in Officer Black and with him a asian student. One that Stanlee hadn't seen before.
Mrs. Pat brushed her hair back, "Good morning, Officer Black. Care to join us for some morning math?"
Officer Black chuckled, "I'll have to pass. But maybe this transfer student can help you out with that."
He patted his right hand on the new kid's shoulder. "His name is-"
Mrs. Pat raised her hand, "Hold on, Officer, first let me test something."
She returned a blazing gaze towards Wade, "So, Wade, do you have an answer?"
Wade picked his cuticles, "What was the question again?"
Mrs. Pat, "You see what I have to deal with, Officer? Mind you, it's just the first day of the second semester!"
Officer Black shook his head, "Pay attention, boy. I'd hate to have to see your ugly little face in my office at the start of the semester."
Snickers filled the classroom. Even Mrs. Pat and the new kid laughed. Wade tried to be nonchalant but he was clearly irked by the comments on him.
Wade exhaled, "Y'all calm down. That stuff wasn't funny."
The classroom laughter slowly died out.
Mrs. Pat stifled her laugh, "Now class, can you remind Wade what the original question was?"
Alicia, Barry's sweetheart, blurted out, "The question you asked us was, 'How do absolute values work?'"
Mrs. Pat nodded her head in approval. "Yup, now Wade, it's your turn."
Wade rose from his chair, "Absolute values are like antonyms; the positive numbers and the negatives switch sides each time."
Mrs. Pat shook her head, "Wrong. I don't know if I should be mad or disappointed. It's a daily thing with you in my class. If you had paid attention in class, you'd have been able to see an example that would help you define it."
She turned to the new kid, arms crossed on her white blouse. "Now, new kid, it's time to see if you're a brilliant new star or just another Lyon slacker. What are absolute values, and how do they work?"
The new kid cleared his throat, his chest puffed. "Absolute value is the distance of a number from zero on the number line. It's usually two vertical lines with a number in between. When negative, the number loses the negative sign and becomes positive. When positive, it stays positive. So it's not quite like an antonym."
Wade scoffs, "Thanks for the assist, newbie."
The new kid saluted in his direction, "Always happy to help a fellow classmate in a bind."
Officer Black and Mrs. Pat looked impressed. Whispers filled the classroom. Stanlee pushed back his glasses.
"Well, Mrs. Pat, I think you've found a new brilliant star to join your class," Officer Black said.
Mrs. Pat looked very pleased, "I agree, Officer, say my new star, what's your name?"
The new kid looked up, facing the classroom. His school uniform was shiny and new, his tie catching the slight wind draft from the hallway due to Officer Black exiting the classroom. His wheat-colored skin went well with his blonde hair and brown highlights, swaying to the right a little, revealing his sea-green eyes.
"My name is Jason, Jason Yang. I love playing sports and games of all kinds. I look forward to getting acquainted with you all."
Mrs. Pat clapped her hands together. "Splendid, you've got all the makings of a star and not a slacker. I'll sit you next to my shooting star, Stanlee. Also, Stanlee, I'll have you be Jason's guide for the week, or at least until he gets his bearings."
Stanlee nodded, "Yes, ma'am."
Jason came over and sat down at his desk, putting his bag under his chair.
Mrs. Pat yawned and then stared at the class clock, realizing the class period was about to end in just a few seconds. "Alright everybody, don't forget to work in groups of four through the homework. It's due tomorrow."
Stanlee raised his hand. Mrs. Pat nodded in his direction.
"Does it have to be this specific class, or can we work together with people that have this class but at different hours as well?" Stanlee said.
Mrs. Pat pondered for a quick ten seconds. "You know what, Stanlee, I'll allow it. I can already see who you'll work with. But Jason must be in your group."
Stanlee opened his mouth in protest, but the chiming, ringing bell reverberated overhead, and the classroom exploded in motion to exit the classroom.