Mary entered her house as loud as can be stomping her feet through the hardwood flooring in the living room.
Her older sister, Audrey, was sitting on the couch reading a book when her sister stormed into the room. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked.
“School was dumb today.” Mary growled. She kicked off her sneakers, tossed them into the closet as well as her backpack.
“Why was it dumb?” Audrey continued.
Mary closed the closet door. “My backpack can stay in there for now. I don’t want to even think about my homework.”
“I say again,” Audrey sighed putting a bookmark into her book and closing it, “why was school dumb today?”
“I have a lot of homework.” Mary pouted. She threw herself onto the armchair slouching her whole body like a slinky.
Audrey scoffed. “Yeah, okay. Been there, done that.”
“No, you don’t get it.” Mary said sitting up. “I have homework in every single subject tonight.”
Audrey nodded. “Yeah, that happens. You’re in high school now.”
“But it’s the first day of school!”
“The teachers don’t care about that. They want to get down to business as soon as possible.”
“I have five tests tomorrow too.” Mary continued.
“Five? Out of seven classes?” Audrey wondered.
“Six classes. I have a study last period.” Mary clarified.
“Then why didn’t you get any of your homework done then? Or why didn’t you get a head start on studying? That’s the whole point of a study period.” Audrey couldn’t help but smirk. Mary was so exited to start high school just that morning. She had no idea what the next four years was going to bring.
“I got some of it done.” Mary replied calmly. “Really, I did.”
“I believe you.” Audrey put her hands up. “What are the tests for though?”
“Summer reading, the summer homework we had to do, and one test is a placement test… whatever that means.” Mary said rolling her eyes.
Audrey frowned sympathetically. “I’m sorry. I know it’s overwhelming. This isn’t what you expected at all.”
“No, it’s not. And I already have two projects assigned! Both are from two of the books I had to read over the summer. One is just an essay that’s due by the end of the week and the other is an essay along with some sort of presentation with visuals and stuff… that’s due in two weeks.” Mary ranted.
Audrey raised her eyebrows. Mary must have had some tough teachers. She didn’t remember the teachers in high school being this brutal when she was there – especially not on the first day.
Mary sighed. “Please tell me your first day of college was just as rough. I’m sure that’s ten times worse than high school.”
Audrey tilted her head to the side. “Why would you want it to be worse? You’re going to have to go through it someday as well.”
“I know, but I don’t care right now. I just need to know I’m not the only one having a tough time.” Mary said.
“You’re not the only one, Mary. College was brutal today.” Audrey stated.
“How are you so calm about it right now?” Mary asked in shock.
Audrey shrugged. “I’m used to it from high school, I guess.”
“Oh. Okay.” Mary nodded. She stood up and headed toward the kitchen. “Maybe high school really does prepare you for college then…”
Audrey watched her sister leave the room. Then she went back to reading her book. She didn’t have the heart to tell her sister that college was great. Her professor is really nice and they didn’t have any homework to do tonight. She also had a feeling Mary forgot that Audrey made her own schedule and she only had to attend school three days a week for four classes. She wasn’t about to tell Mary that just yet though. Audrey decided to let Mary get used to high school and settle in with the new school then.
Then Audrey would brag to Mary about how wonderful college is.
Words: 673
Check out the other Short Story Sundays I’ve done!
I hope you enjoyed this story! Let me know in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it around.
Patreon | Fiverr | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | GoodReads | Double Jump
