There's those moments in time where everything feels beyond awkward. The guilt-stricken pain of realizing what you're in for.

My mouth gaped open as our substitute was writing on the board, her eyes pried on anything but me. If she did look, though, I would already be dead with only a mere glance.

"Hello class," Her voice was stern. "it appears your teacher had to take a sick day, and, due to this, I'll be subbing your class."

Pearl.

I wasn't the only one racking out strong emotions when I saw her. Was that the call that she had to answer when I was in the office? Apparently, that could be true. She seemed urgent enough, so, it made sense.

As long as I didn't draw any attention to myself-

PPPPPPPFFFBT.

That could be the sound of my heart breaking... or a whoopee cushion on my seat. Either way, both blocked out the giggling of the other students.

Does anyone have morals anymore? Rather, are we all savages? Can we keep our dignity for longer than a second, before humanity calls dibs and holds it high above your head like an egotistic bully?

My thought process might of continued for hours, since my blood was boiling. But, the substitute decapitated me with her eyes. I could almost feel the pain, as if I wasn't going through enough already.

"Ahem," She started, staring me down. "Ruby."

"Yes."

If I had a shell, I'd climb into it, avoiding the real world. Forever. Hermit crabs give me a run for my money.

"Please don't do... that again."

Seriously? She's blaming this on me?

Deeply exhaling, I nodded in response. If Pearl was Santa Claus, I'd be the first on the naughty list.

After that, most of her talking was a blur. As she was speaking, I was writing. My left hand swiped all around as I expressed my emotions. Instead of using anger, it's better to escape through written words. It's how I restrain myself from punching someone in the face.

I only heard a few points. Although, most of the "lecture" was:

"Blah blah blah blah important blah blah blah blah blah listen blah grammar blah blah blah salient blah blah blah blah blah blah blah assignment blah blah blah highlighter blah blah blah blah blah fifteen blah blah blah blah blah express blah..."

Once she was finished, I felt some of my tension fade away. My shoulders relaxed from their squared position. If I was anymore sleep deprived, I would be fast asleep. Aha, good thing I sleep quietly.

That last sentence was a lie. Never invite me to a sleepover.

If I wasn't so deep in thought, I would of been able to realize that Pearl was staring over me, silently reading what I was writing earlier. Since it was finished, I tended to throw it away.

I almost jumped out of my seat when her voice was behind me.

"Ruby." I felt her breathing into my ear, causing my eyes to bulge open.

Oh no.

Slowly, I turned to her. "I- I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. I swear I was only-"

Interrupting me, Pearl only said one more thing for the rest of the period.

"Today. Library. Four. Don't be late."