Episode 45: Scene Four
BEEEEPP! BEEEEPP!, the alarm clock screamed, perched in its safe nook of the brown wooden nightstand.
Christian fell out of bed, taking the covers with him. Acting on instinct, he picked up the nearest thing he could get his hands on - a baseball - and hurled it at the clock. The clock, when struck by the force of the ball, was smashed into tiny pieces, its scream getting lower and lower until stopping altogether.
"Thank God for baseballs," Christian got up while brushing himself off. For a few blissful seconds, he had no knowledge that the day was to be the one where his fate was to be decided. Then, like an explosion, it struck him.
Christian stumbled backwards as if pushed. He shook his head and blinked. "Please, no. Tell me that what happened was a dream and that I'm not going to court today."
As if on cue, Christian's small black phone rang. Picking it up, he said, "Hello?"
"Hey, hon. It's Mom. Just calling to make sure you're up and ready for today."
Her cheery greeting and carefree words filled Christian with so much rage that he slammed the phone back down on the hook and threw it against the wall. Breathing heavily, he sunk back down onto the floor and buried his face in his hands. "Why me, God? Why does this have to happen to me?"
Suddenly struck with the realization that he was feeling sorry for himself, Christian sprang up from the floor and walked into the kitchen area to get himself a glass of orange juice. After pouring the liquid into his favorite monkey cup, he sat down at the table and just stared at the wall. He shook his head again and slapped himself. "What's wrong with you, Chris? Come on, this is the least of your worries right now. You're going to have homework galore to catch up on."
He was startled by a soft knock at the door. He walked over and opened the door. Christian's voice eminated surprise when he said, "Becca?"
Becca smiled her gentle, shy smile and looked at the floor. "Yeah. I just thought I'd come over and see how you're doing."
"I-I'm fine...I mean...well..." Christian stammered helplessly.
Becca laughed. "It's okay. I understand. How about I make you some bacon and eggs?"
"Hold on just a minute," Christian's face was marked with suspicion. "How did you get up here? Aren't there monitors down at the doorway."
"Tsk, tsk. Haven't you learned? We women have our ways."
Christian's face melted into a large smile. "I should've known. Let me get out of these PJs, and I'll meet you down at the cafeteria, ok?"
"Sure thing. Don't be late," Becca called over her shoulder as she walked off.
Pushing the door shut, Christian mumbled to himself, "Just friends, Chris. Just friends."