It was hard enough to walk in front of the entire senior class eating at the senior lunch table being seniors. At the worst moment in time she screams, “Ray-Ray come over here a minute.”

I knew I wasn’t in trouble. I never cause trouble. And the only people who call me Ray-Ray are those who were at the hospital when I was born. “Dougie, Whadaya think of your baby brother Ray-Ray,” said my dad when he looked in the nursery window with a bunch of family and friends.
what does she want?
She is Mrs. Conner. Biology teacher, big woman who drives a white Mustang and embarrasses freshman boys. I look at my lunch tray and wonder how I can create a diversion with it and run away. No luck. “Ray, I need to ask you something!” This time I know the entire cafeteria is looking at me. I drop my head and my tray down into burden-carrying stance and drag my feet to meet Mrs. Conner.
“Hi, Miz Conner,” I said politely.
“How’s your mom?” she asked.
How’s my mom?! Lady are you kidding me. You heralded my entrance without my permission. You alert the entire class of my existence to ask me about Mom? I keep these thoughts in my mouth and say, “She’s fine.”
“Well, tell her I asked about her,” Mrs. Conner replies.
“Yes’m,” and I leave.
what should I’ve done?
I should have ignored her. I should have flipped her the bird when she wasn’t looking but when all the seniors were. I should have made fun of her clothes under my breath as I passed the seniors’ table. I should have smiled and nodded at her making it appear I was in control and she wasn’t.
But I’m a freshman. Freshman don’t do stupid things. Seniors do.