The Classroom Chronicles
Wading into the classroom.
Wednesday, 13th June, 2018.
School uniform a bit too tight,
My body pressed against the metal zipper,
Exaggerating my jolly build.
Blasts of crisp, cold air,
Hitting my heat rash-stricken face.
A little discomfort, I felt it.
But not unbearable.
The older kids in my class then,
Not nearly as academically proficient as I was.
They beckoned me to them,
With plastic grins and class notes.
But I could see the assignment.
The one from the day before.
Blank in their books.
It didn't faze me.
I was used to it anyways.
I always believed,
That maybe if I helped them with their work,
They would stop the hurtful gossip at break time.
I may not have been the most adept speaker,
But I wasn't deaf.
I could hear their snarky comments,
Followed by sharing snacks and playing games.
They passed marshmallows at break time,
The awfully sweet scent flicking all the wrong switches,
Nauseating me. I was allergic after all.
I wouldn't dare ask for one. But the SMELL...
I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get through break time,
Inhaling that. One of them snickered, throwing a half eaten one,
To my way. I COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
Bolting to the restroom as fast,
As my sub-athletic body could carry me,
I began to throw up in the sink.
The bitter taste of my regurgitated homemade lunch,
Fuelling my dwindling nausea.
More laughter. More taunting words. More isolation.
God, why couldn't I be normal?
Classes ended for that day.
I was finally going home. Happier that way.
Dreading every day in that classroom wasn't really a skill,
When I had tried and tried, and lost my will.
Copyright © Somtochukwu Onwusika | Year Posted 2023
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