Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Morning practice had just finished up as Jason and the rest of the guys that were on the team last year made their way to first period.

As they walked together as a group through the hallways they couldn't help but feel like something was different, only one person seemed to be oblivious to it all.

Vince came up from behind and patted Jason strongly on his shoulders with both hands "Yo, don't something feel kinda off?"

Jason's eyes moved around as he scanned the people nearby. They were all looking at him and some even pointed at him but they pretended as though they weren't as soon as Jason's gaze swept over them.

Jason shrugged "People are pointing and talking about us. Isn't that just a normal everyday thing?" Vince thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.

"Nah bro, this is way different compared to the normal amount of attention that we normally get. I don't know what it is but.... It just feels different."

DJ chimed in from the side "I think I have to agree with Vince on this. This ain't the usual kind of attention that we normally get Jaya.

The girls look way too excited talking and whispering about you. Normally it's the dudes that are super hyped about you."

Matt nodded his head "Yeah, I mean Jaya always gets the girls' attention whenever he's out but not to this level."

Jason nodded his head before turning to Matt "So do you know what's up?" Matt had an awkward look on his face as he shook his head.

Jason chuckled "If you guys don't know what's going on then don't worry about it. No point in stressin over shit when you're in the dark.

If it's something that we have to worry about we'll find out eventual. For now let's just focus on getting to our first class.

We wasted so much time talking about this that we'll have to push the temp up a bit if we don't want to get marked as tardy.

All of the guys nodded their heads as they began to speed walk down the hall to get to first period on time.

As the guys stepped into the room the bell began to ring as they just narrowly avoided getting marked as late.

Kyle wiped the sweat off of his forehead with the back of his hand as he let out a sigh "Nice, just barely made it."

"Nice of you to join us gentlemen. Now if you could please take your seats so that I may begin class it would be very appreciated."

Kyle felt embarrassed as Ms. Yuller's smiling face looked at him and the rest of the boys. He nervously chuckled "Sure thing Ms. Yuller."

As Jason and the rest of the boys walked over to their desks and took their seats Ms. Yuller began to call out names as she took attendance.

After calling out a few names she got to the first absent student "Karla? Karla Pérez? Absent it is then. How odd, she's never missed class before."

Seated next to Jason Samantha blew a lock of her red curly hair off of her face as she rolled her eyes "Strike one."

Jason turned his head as he looked at her "Did you say something?" Samantha sat up straight in her chair as she smiled at Jason.

"Oh nothing. I was just murmuring to myself haha. You know me, I just can't stay quiet even when there's no conversation going on."

Jason felt as though Samantha was acting a bit strange. Or at least more strange than usual "Okay.... Never mind then I guess."

Ms. Yuller finished taking attendance as all of the other students reported in and on time. Just as she was about to begin the class the phone on top of her desk began to ring.

She walked back over and answered the phone "Hello? Yes this is first period English literature and this is Ms. Yuller speaking.

I see, alright then. Tell her to rest up and that I hope she feels better soon. Thank you." She hanged up the phone before turning to the class.

"Unfortunately Karla was not feeling well this morning when she came to school. She is currently resting in the infirmary with the school nurse.

If any of you have a class with her later today would you mind making an extra copy of your notes and passing them to her?

I also need someone to hand some example sheets and other papers to her so that she doesn't fall behind in the class." 

Despite her popularity at the school no one raised their hand. Maybe it was because the task was too much of a hassle.

Maybe it was because of Samantha's presence in the classroom. Or maybe they had expected Jason to volunteer to do it because of the rumors between him and Karla but either way no one was interested in accepting the task from Ms. Yuller.

Just then a hand slowly raised itself into the air as all of the kids turned their heads toward the back of the room.

"I'll do it Ms. Yuller. I don't have a class with Karla but we both have first lunch. I know where she normally sits so I'll pass the notes and the handouts to her then."

Ms. Yuller smiled as she pulled out some sheets of paper from the drawer of her desk. She walked over and handed them to Samantha.

She patted her softly on the head " Très bien Mademoiselle Doyle. As expected from one of my finest students."

Samantha chuckled "Don't sweat it Ms. Yuller." The smile remained on her face but her gaze was oddly sharp and cold.

"It's the least I could do for our sick little princess right?" After handing Samantha the handouts Ms. Yuller walked back to the front of the class as she began her lesson.

"I hope you are all well rested and ready for class. Today we will be continuing our lesson on the different tools that are often used in literature.

Last week we covered antagonist and the purpose that they serve on Friday. Today we will be covering the ever so important tool known as a foil character.

Just like an antagonist they help to enrich a story by playing off of the main character but they often times serve very different purposes."

Ms. Yuller continued to pour her heart out in her lecture as all but two students were diligently taking notes.

Jason seemed to be gazing off into the ether as he blankly sat in his chair. Samantha couldn't help but happily smile looking at his face.

'Geez, look at this blockhead. It's so obvious what's on his mind. He always has that look on his face whenever he's thinking about basketball.'

But the happy and content look on her face quickly disappeared as she furrowed her brows and ground her teeth.

'I hope I didn't judge you wrong princess. As much as I hate to say it you are now a part of Jason's story. The only question that remains is are you going to be an antagonist or a foil character?'