It was so hot in the room that Johnny felt like he might smother. Of course his grandmother had over-dressed him, cardigan sweater, corderoys and all. Now sitting in this oppressive heat, itching and sweating with all these fucking kids around, he was sure he would die soon.
The start of each school year was almost intolerable for him. The newness of it, everyone trying to act like it was a new beginning or something, disgusted him. Same kids, same shitty town, same future awaiting, but let's all act like a new day has dawned, fuck.
Mrs. Grimes would be their teacher, and she also was putting on this nauseating veneer of newness, as if she were certain this was the best group of 5th graders on the planet and she just couldn't wait to build their little minds into great monuments. She was also overdressed, a fresh rinse on her hair to mute the gray; new makeup to cheer up the pallor of her face, a temporary lightening in attitude trying to brighten the grayness of her soul.
And of course the principal, Mr Switzer had to stop by and smile and say a few meaningless things. Mr Switzers smile look so odd, because never in all the times Johnny had went to his office last year had Mr switzer ever ever smiled. He kept smiling and saying little things, acting almost as if he liked these kids, almost.
The steam-heat kept coming in smothering waves, Johnny could feel a trickle of sweat running down each hand, out of his long-sleeves, down each pinky, threatening to actually drip onto the floor. He moved his hands, deftly wiping them on those fucking cordoroys and looked around the room. First day, and 13 million more to go, he thought. There were a few cute girls, nothing to get excited about except the red-head...
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