Max and his Horrific Middle School Gym Class
(Word Count: 708)
Max can tell anyone in meticulous detail about his horrific middle school gym class. 4th period had just ended, giving him 5 minutes to reach the gymnasium before 5th period gym. Forgetting his ever-so-important map of the foreign middle school, Max simply assumed the location of the gym to be in the opposite wing of the school. As the bell rang, and Max quickly realized his rash mistake, panic ensued. “What if the hall monitor writes me up!!??”. As he walked in the once crowded hallway, he felt an immediate guilt upon him. “It’s almost like I’m a criminal!” As Max navigated blindly through the dark abyss of hallways after hallways, he finally reached on two massive double doors. As he pushed through the door, hoping to blend in such large crowd, the doors creaked and echoed throughout the entire gymnasium. Around 100 students, all sitting down, quietly stared at him, beady eyed, in disbelief that someone could come in 15 minutes late on the first day of gym class. As if anything couldn’t have added to max’s embarrassment, a kid from the back exclaimed “OUUUUUU HE’S LATE!!!!!!!!!!”
Max can tell anyone in meticulous detail about his horrific middle school gym class. 4th period had just ended, giving him 5 minutes to reach the gymnasium before 5th period gym. Forgetting his ever-so-important map of the foreign middle school, Max simply assumed the location of the gym to be in the opposite wing of the school. As the bell rang, and Max quickly realized his rash mistake, panic ensued. “What if the hall monitor writes me up!!??”. As he walked in the once crowded hallway, he felt an immediate guilt upon him. “It’s almost like I’m a criminal!” As Max navigated blindly through the dark abyss of hallways after hallways, he finally reached on two massive double doors. As he pushed through the door, hoping to blend in such large crowd, the doors creaked and echoed throughout the entire gymnasium. Around 100 students, all sitting down, quietly stared at him, beady eyed, in disbelief that someone could come in 15 minutes late on the first day of gym class. As if anything couldn’t have added to max’s embarrassment, a kid from the back exclaimed “OUUUUUU HE’S LATE!!!!!!!!!!”
“Why are you so late!?” Mr. Montagona
bellowed. “Follow me!”.
Max followed in haste and confusion. He wondered where
he was going, until he quickly remembered what every kid in that class had in
common – they were all wearing gym clothes. “Where are your gym clothes max?” Mr.
Montagona demanded. Mr. Montagona had dark grey eyes, a square jaw with
eyebrows that looked angry even when he wasn’t. He was often known for his
bellowing voice, to where even a whisper would sound like he was shouting. Max,
heavily intimidated by his new middle school teacher, was frightful as to what
would come next, as he said hesitantly “I forgot them at home…”
“YOU DID WHAT!!!!!!!!!” Mr. Montagona screamed, his resting
angry face looking more threatening than ever.
“You can either take an unprepared or wear the spare clothes
here.”
Max viewed the situation as a horrible lose-lose. Taking an
unprepared was like committing first-degree murder in the world of middle
school. Max thought that it could even be worse. Having to stand in front of
the entire gym class, everyone knowing about the gruesome act committed. Only
the “bad” kids did that! Max thought to himself. He could never commit such a
shameful act of decency. He chose the latter option, which he would find out
that, was not too much better than taking an unprepared. The shirt was
5 times larger and the pants were so stretched out they could fit Santa Claus.
Swallowing his pride, Max put the gross gym clothes on, and walked out into the
gym class. He saw 8 balls in the middle of the gym, students standing on each
side. “Oh no, Oh no!” Max exclaimed.
“OH YES! WE’RE PLAYING DODGEBALL!” Mr. Montagona boasted
across the gym.
Max stood near the back, and quickly analyzed his foreground.
His side consisted of sixth graders, mostly scrawny and frightened as to what’s
to come. He peeped onto the other side and realized that somehow the entire
side had 8th grade jocks and the 7th grade football team.
Each individual student had a snarl on their face, as if they were looking forward
to this moment throughout their entire life. Mr. Montagona blew the whistle
indicated the start of the match. Max, starting to fear more for his life than
the sanctity of the match, quickly saw each of his teammates get hit with a
dodgeball. To make matters worse, he soon became the last person on his side,
with six meaty 8th graders on the other, beady eyed, ready to
pounce. Max drew his courage and drove for the middle of gymnasium. He dodged,
threw, and by some miracle managed to get all six students out.
For once, Max felt like a winner, filled with excitement.
But he suddenly wondered why everyone in the building, including Mr. Montagona,
was starting at him.
Perplexed, Max followed all their eyes downwards. Max’s
pants had fallen off, forgetting to keep the gigantic shorts up while defeating
his classmates. To make matters worse, Max’s principal decided to check up on
that very gym class, at that exact time.
I like the details in your story! I think everyone definitely had a horrible middle school gym class memory. The worst was the "you can take the unprepared", as if no one ever forgets something every now and then.
ReplyDeleteKept in Memory, can you let me know your name? I am attempting to keep track of those who are commenting.
DeleteI liked how you showed your innocence as a middle school child through the words " only the bad kids did that", since you refused to take the unprepared for class. I didn't expect the twist that came at the end of the story. The details about the class watching as well as the teacher and principal added to the uncomfortable and humiliating feeling which the story was trying to achieve.
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