Chapter 48: On the Edge
Zephyr knocked on the door a few times and entered the room a few seconds later. "Hey", Zephyr said as he walked over to Matt who was writing something on a piece of paper, "I need you to sign something".
"What's it for?", Matt asked, taking the paper from Zephyr's hand.
"The school's forcing me to move up to the second-year math class", Zephyr replied in exasperation, "I've got Mr Waters. Apparently, he's really strict".
"So you're going to have to finally do your homework", Matt added, knowing the reason for Zephyr's reluctance.
"I know", Zephyr complained, "I was planning on just breezing through high school without having to do homework but that plan's going out the window".
"It's for the best", Matt stated, signing the paper and handing it to Zephyr, "How are your lessons with Theseus going?"
"They're surprisingly easy", Zephyr remarked, putting the paper in his bag, "He said I've got impeccable business sense".
Matt hummed at his words, turning to look at the watch on his wrist. "You're up early for once", Matt commented.
"Yeah", Zephyr replied, "You usually leave in the morning so I woke up early. I didn't remember that you're working from home today".
"You've got 30 minutes before Desiree has to drop you off today", Matt remarked.
"I guess I'll make breakfast", Zephyr shrugged, exiting the room and heading down towards the kitchen.
[Time Skip]
As soon as he entered the room, Mr Waters clapped to bring his students' attention to himself. "Good", Mr Waters nodded to himself. "Today, we're going to have some first years join us because". Loudly shouting "Enter", a trio of students entered the room.
The first to enter was an Indian boy with short black hair. Right behind him was a short girl with black hair and glasses. The last to enter was a tall boy with black hair and blue eyes.
Glancing at his students for a brief second, Mr Waters then instructed the trio of underclassmen, "Introduce yourselves".
"I'm Sanjay Patel", the Indian boy introduced himself, some anxiety evident in his voice.
"Yo", Zephyr greeted, flashing everyone the peace sign, "The names Zephyr Blake". Seeing him introduce himself, some of the girls began giggling and whispering to each other.
Seeing that the two boys had introduced themselves, the girl stepped forward, "Hi. I'm Alex Dunphy".
Upon hearing her last name, all of the students turned to look at Haley, who was trying to hide behind her book.
"Now that introductions are over", Mr Waters interrupted, "Please take your seats. There are two seats near the back", Mr Waters pointed at two tables right next to each other in the second-last row, "And one at the front", Mr Waters gestured to the table right in front of him.
Without hesitating, Alex and Zephyr made their way to the two seats in the back with Sanjay being left the seat in front. Seeing that there was no other choice, Sanjay resigned himself and sat down on the last remaining seat.
"Now that we're finished with the introductions, turn your books to page 163", Mr Waters instructed. Walking up to the whiteboard, he took a board pen out and wrote down 'Pythagoras' Theorem'. "Now. Who can explain the Pythagoras Theorem?"
Immediately, Sanjay's and Alex's hands shot up, with Mr Waters raising an eyebrow upon seeing Zephyr's lack of reaction. "Mr Blake. If you would please explain"
Grunting, Zephyr looked at Mr Waters and sighed, answering, "In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem, or Pythagoras' theorem as you said, is a fundamental relation in Euclidean geometry between the three sides of a right triangle. It states that the sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse. Or if you simplify it, a square + b square = c square"
Mr Waters nodded, "Good". Walking over to the board, Mr Waters quickly drew a right-angled triangle with the numbers 6 and 8 at the base. "Now, who can tell me the value of the hypotenuse?", Mr Water asked as he looked at the students in his class. Unsurprisingly, Alex and Sanjay immediately put their hands up, but this time, other students in the class also raised their hands. Rapidly scanning the students, Mr Water's eyes narrowed as he looked at a figure that was attempting to hide. "Ms Dunphy, could you please give me the answer?". As Alex was about to speak, Mr Waters raised his hand, stopping her, "Not you Alex. I mean Haley".
Hearing her name being called out, Haley peaked her head up from the book and looked at Mr Waters who gazed at her with expectation. Gulping, she turned to look at the board and mumbled, "Uhm. 7?".
"Incorrect", Mr Waters said, shaking his head in slight disappointment. Looking at Alex, he then asked, "Perhaps you could give me the answer Alex?"
"5", Alex answered, "The hypotenuse is 5".
"While the answer is correct, please use the unit when answering", Mr Waters corrected.
Alex nodded and re-stated her answer, "5 inches".
Nodding, Mr Water directed his attention to the rest of the class, "Would anyone like for me to explain how Alex got the answer or is it just Haley?". Hearing the deafening silence, Mr Waters continued, "In that case. Attempt all the questions on pages 164 and 165. We'll go over the answers in 30 minutes so I expect all of you to have done at least half the questions".
At his words, all the students snapped into action and began completing their work. Making his way over to his desk, Mr Waters sat down on his seat and ordered, "Haley. Bring your paper here. I'll explain how to answer the question".
Sighing, Haley stood up and took her textbook to Mr Waters. As Mr Waters explained to Haley how to answer similar questions, Alex and Zephyr were having a quiet conversation.
"I can't believe I'm actually doing classwork", Zephyr complained.
"I'm surprised", Alex muttered, "I assumed you'd have tried to get out of the lesson".
"I tried", Zephyr whispered, "But Principal Weller said that unless I have a valid reason, I can't drop the class. I can't believe my excuse didn't work".
"What did you say?", Alex asked as she drew a triangle in her book.
"I told him that I didn't want to do extra homework", Zephyr answered.
"That's not a valid excuse", Alex stated, agreeing with the Principal.
"He said that he heard about me from Principal Kaiser as well", Zephyr sighed, quickly writing down the answer to a question, "Apparently Kaiser said that I'm really talented so he should be on me 24/7".
"You are really talented though", Alex said, "And what's wrong with actually putting some effort into school? I've seen what you can do when you're concentrated. You could finish all the homework we get in an hour and a half".
"I am pretty awesome", Zephyr agreed, nodding to himself.
"I understand that you're new to the class", Mr Waters interrupted, "But the rule is that in my class, you don't talk until you've done your work".
Groaning, Zephyr nodded and directed all his attention to the questions he had to answer.
[Time Skip]
"Zephyr. What's the answer to question 11ciii?", Mr Waters asked Zephyr.
"The base is 4.6 feet", Zephyr answered.
"Correct", Mr Waters said, nodding, "That's all the questions". Looking at the clock in the classroom for a brief second, he then said, "You've got 5 minutes till the bell rings so you can talk".
As soon as he finished, the class erupted with noise.
"What have we got next?", Zephyr asked, turning to look at Alex.
"We've got lunch next so you're in luck", Alex answered, rolling her eyes.
"Thank God!", Zephyr exclaimed, "I don't think I can handle any more maths".
"You're the only one who finished all the questions", Alex deadpanned, "You did all the questions in 20 minutes as well. Within 20 minutes, I only finished one page".
"Don't worry", Zephyr placated, "I'm certain that if you had 5 more minutes, you would've finished the questions as well".
Alex nodded at his words but paused halfway and asked, "Did we get homework?"
"I think he forgot", Zephyr answered, "And I would like for it to remain that way".
"Fine", Alex grumbled, "I won't tell him then".
"Tell me what?", Mr Waters asked, appearing right behind the duo.
"We didn't want to tell you how fun your lesson was", Zephyr lied.
"Yeah", Alex agreed, "You're so much better than our last teacher".
Mr Waters nodded at the praise. "You two are doing really well as well", Mr Waters commented, "I was a bit surprised when Principal Brown told me bout you three, but I see that your reputation is well deserved".
"Reputation?", Zephyr questioned.
"Yes", Mr Waters nodded his head, "I've heard that you, Zephyr, are incredibly smart but lazy and that you, Alex, are smart and hardworking. If you keep this up, I'm certain that you'll make it to a great college".
"Thanks", Zephyr said, pleased with the recognition.
As they were about to continue their conversation, the bell rang. "Well, you kids get to lunch. I've got to prepare tomorrow's pop quiz".
"Bye", Zephyr and Alex said as they exited the class.
After putting away their books in their lockers, Zephyr and Alex made their way to the cafeteria. "Oh yeah", Zephyr muttered, "I heard Phil's trying out tightrope walking".
"Yep", Alex answered.
"How has it been going?", Zephyr asked.
"Not well", Alex commented.
"I just remember", Zephyr snapped, "How are you liking the new bedroom?".
"It's really nice", Alex replied, "I've got loads of space and best of all, I don't have to hear Mom shout at Haley all the time".
"Sounds like you've got your own little haven", Zephyr teased.
"I do, don't I?", Alex retorted, a smile on her face.
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