The bell rings, signaling the beginning of class. I sit behind my desk watching the students shuffle in and make their way to their seats. After the last few stragglers wander in, I start attendance.
"Here, here, here," as I go down the list I reach one name, "Nick?" Silence.
He's not here as usual! Once I've finished attendance, I get up from my desk and walk over to the chalkboard,
"Today we're going to..."
I'm cut off by the door opening and Nick shuffles in. I look at him,
"Nice of you to join us Nick, you're late and I've already marked you absent, go to the office and tell them you're not absent."
Nick slumps down into his chair, "I'll do it later".
I walk over to the wall and press the small silver circle which lights up. A voice echoes through the classroom,
"Hello? Main office."
I reply, "It's Mr. Coalson, one of my students Nick Drewson came in late and isn't absent." A few seconds passed,
"Thanks Mr. Coalson"
And the light went out. I walk back over to the chalkboard and resume my class.
"As I was saying before, today we're going to have a test so we can move on to the next lesson."
I pick a stack of papers up off my desk and start handing them out.
"Eyes on your own tests. When done please hand them in!"
Silence fills the classroom as pencils start hitting papers. Once everyone finished, I start to mark their tests. The bell rings signaling the end of class and everyone gets up to leave.
Students shuffle out and as Nick walks by I grab his shoulder,
"Nick I need you to stay after class!"
Nick sighs and sits back down while the rest file out. Once everyone has left I close the door.
"What's up with you Nick? You're 18 and in college, skipping class, not paying attention? Were you like this in High school?"
I watch Nick shift in his seat,
"Yeah I guess.."
I sigh, "Nick you failed your test so I'm being nice and giving you a re-test."
Nick grunts, "Shocker... I'll try Mr. Coalson."