Tyche
Copyright© 2020 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 5
“Elementary is four lines to your left,” said the busybody.
I fished out my pen and notebook and marked a diagonal line across a group of four designating another group of five. Every time someone told me I was in the wrong line ... I marked another line. This was similar to the style of counting that stretched back to the Paleolithic and beyond. Prisoners in jail do the same to make the passage of days. I was keeping track of the idiots.
The gym was as packed as one would expect of a K through Twelve school.
Little kids, medium sized kids, big kids and bigger kids ... all checking classes and books ... arranging class changes...”I want to be with her,” was heard in my line. Not me ‘her’ ... some other ‘her’.
And the drama queens, “I have to have second lunch or I’ll die.”
And things like...”NOT Mrs. Niegarth ... I had her last year ... she hates me.”
And, “Janice Olsen specifically specified NO classes with you.”
“But ... she’s my girlfriend.”
“Not any more.”
And the parents. “Shop is not an Academic Class. MY Jim is going to University.”
“Did you check his final report card?”
“We didn’t get it.”
“Step around the table, I’ll bring him up on the computer.”
“Jim ... where do you think you’re going?”
Another parent said, “Expelled? But we sent him to school every day.”
But mostly, I heard, “Elementary is four lines to your left.”
And that meant I had to show the ‘letter.’ Every time. I got a lot of, “Well, I never...” and, “Let me check.” And, “We don’t do things like that.” “You’re supposed to stay with your peer-group.”
I finally got my classes; Honors English, Honors Calculus, Honors Spanish, Honors French, Honors German, Honors Geo-physics and Witchcraft 101. No ... really... 101. The only classroom experience I knew nothing about.
Going to class on Monday? “Who are you?”
“Tyche Selene Flintkote.”
“You’re on the list ... there must be a mistake.”
My teachers and I spent at least half of each class period in the office “getting to the bottom of this.”
The Resource officer asked, “Lost little girl?”
“No. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
His trip to the office was only once.
On the door was the following Notice.
NOTICE
Tyche Selene Flintkote is a Registered Freshman.
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