It's been 5 years since I graduated, and I never thought I'd return.
Standing outside the community college, I take in the cool air as a wave of nostalgia hits me. I had a lot of great memories here, this is where my ex and I met, where I lost my virginity, and where I learned how much I hate math.
But why...
Why was Ms. Saar the name on this morning's post-it note?!
The only class I almost flunked out of, it dragged my GPA down to the Mariana Trench, and she was always upset about something, especially to me.
Maybe I should just let this phenomenon take its course on her.
Alright, that's a little grim, even for me.
Fortunately, my student ID still works.
Stepping up to the registration office, I go up to the woman at the front desk.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"I'm looking to enroll in a class."
"Alrighty, and do you have a specific class?"
"Are there any with Ms.Saar?"
"Saar, Saar, lets see... Oh! Found it... There seem to be quite a few openings."
Not surprising.
"I'll do her 10:30 class."
"I see, the history of the old world. You must be quite the inquisitive historian. Well, she can be a little intimidating, but she is a very driven teacher."
History of the old world... that seems redundant, also THE most boring topic.
With a strained smile, I nod. "Yes, I have heard wonderful things about her."
"You'd better hurry, the class starts in 10 minutes. We can do the paperwork after."
Walking to the class in no particular hurry, I hold out the note from this morning, which says 11:24 AM.
Ugh, that means I'll have to actually attend most of the class.
The nostalgic wave continues; this was the hallway where I had my first kiss.
Every wall, poster, smell, they all remind me of her. It seems a part of me still holds onto our time together.
Standing before the large doors, I attempt to sneak in as discreetly as possible. Walking into the class, it is practically empty with five other people; it's no surprise, considering the way she teaches.
A victim of her own passion.
Finding the most hidden corner, I set down my belongings. Just like the old days, remote and concealed.
Standing before us, Ms.Saar gives a look of sorrow, realizing this dismal attendance is it.
Despite my best attempts at making this a stealth mission, she notices me.
Her sharp yellow eyes land on me, and they widen before turning away.
Guess she does remember me.
"Today we will be discussing the..."
history of watching paint dry.
"...they were one of the earliest civilizations-
She points at a girl sitting in the middle rows as she's on her phone, giggling. "You there! No technology during class."
Stickler till the end I see.
And so it went, an hour of passionately boring and one sided lecture.
Apparently, I was too engaged as I'd fallen asleep. I wake up to an angry-looking Ms.Saar looming over me.
"Good morning, Graves. I hadn't realized it was nap time." She scowls.
Rubbing my eyes, I keep my head buried in my arms. "Oh, is it? When did you add those to your classes?"
"I was being facetio-
Springing up, my eyes widen. "Oh, shit! What time is it?"
"No foul language in my class."
"Well, I guess you're still alive, that's a good sign."
"Alive? Are you trying to get smart with me?"
"Why else would I be attending this lecture?"
"Now you're being sarcastic."
"No, no, I am genuinely invested," I say sarcastically.
"If that's the case..." She points towards the board. "Then how about you answer the question up there?"
With a big stretch, I get up, taking the chalk from her hand. "Alright." I rebuke monotonously.
Looking down at my phone, I see that it's 11:21, three minutes, how could she die here?
The morsel of drama seems to have captured the attention of the five other people in the class.
Standing beside the board, she smirks, giving me a look of challenge and confidence of my public humiliation.
There's nothing nearby, just a buzzing noise.
"Now, Graves, what was the cause of the war of 1832?"
I scoff. "The conflict stemmed from tensions arising from the encroachment of settlers into lands of other people, particularly following a controversial treaty."
The class looks at me impressed, some even begin to clap.
Meanwhile, Ms. Saar raises her eyebrow in bewilderment. "No... not even close. How did you even get that answer?"
"...I guessed and spoke in broad terms."
She deeply inhales, "Return to your seat."
"Yes ma-" Wait, I can't go back, she might die any moment.
Standing there, I freeze.
"Graves?" She questions.
"Can you ask me another question? I am eager to prove myself to you." I strain a smile.
Her eyes widen as a small smile creeps up. She looks away, crossing her arms. "Well, if you're that eager, then I guess I wouldn't mind."
I still can't identify the source of that buzzing noise, and there's nothing obvious that she could accidentally die from.
I will just stay close until the time passes, maybe just my presence is enough... yea right.
She begins to excitedly write a question, halfway through the chalk snaps in half.
"Oops."
She walks over to the podium to her bag.
Awkwardly, I follow her.
The buzzing seems to be getting louder over here... does she die to a bee?
Sifting through her leather bag, she grabs a container with chalk. Turning, she jumps due to my proximity, "Oh! Graves, you didn't have to follow me."
My eyes narrow. "Are you allergic to bees?"
...
"What?"
"Could a bee kill you?"
"I don't believe so?"
"Huh... Sorry, that was a strange thing to ask."
She hands me the chalk cautiously.
Turning around, I make my way towards the board. This is strange... maybe nothing happens today.
I hear Ms. Saar's gasp behind me. "Oops."
It seems I'm the reigning king of jinxing.
Whipping around, I see that she just spilled her water bottle.
Using a cloth, she reaches down to wipe it up.
My eyes slowly widen as I finally see the loose wire hanging out of the speaker.
"Wait! don't!"
Jumping at her, I push her away, accidentally putting my hand on the puddle of water in the process.
She stumbles backwards with a look of bewilderment.
For a moment, there's nothing, then my world goes black, flurries of white lights sparkly my senses go blank. There's no noise except the deafening mechanical sound of crackling.
I lose control of my body as my body sporadically spasms, my teeth rattling, the strobing lights blind me.
It felt as though I was already dead, yet the cold, uncontrolled feeling of electricity vibrating my blood cells
I was lying on my back on the wooden floor, I could feel I had been winded from falling, and I could feel my heart pounding out.
Somehow, I wasn't dead; all I saw was Ms.Saar's concerned expression blocking the blinding overhead lights.
But my heart didn't slow down, only speeding up until my vision went black once more, this time for goo-