English Class

I join the call one minute late.
I was scrolling through Instagram and lost track of time.
Everything is quiet for the first two minutes.
I zone out before I realize there are notes on the screen.

I rush through copying the objectives down.
I know that she will change slides soon,
And that, with my luck, these notes will be on our binder check.
I am already not looking forward to class.

I open the Do Now knowing that I will only have a minute to complete it.
“You are trying to convince your parents to let you go to a concert on a school night.
What rhetorical strategies would you use?”
None. I know a lost cause when I see one.

“Cameras on everyone.”
I groan but comply
My friend makes a funny face in our separate FaceTime call
I turn my camera off to laugh

I look ahead on the slides, trying not to get overwhelmed.
Then I see the headline.
It says “PSA Presentations.”
I get distracted thinking about how scary it is presenting over zoom.

We then watch a few examples of a PSA.
The first one was filmed after the Sandy Hook shooting,
I see students using their brand new school supplies to stop a shooter from getting in.
I am uncomfortable and I think back to all of our previous lockdowns.

The second PSA relieves my discomfort.
I see a huge screen showing an x-ray of skeletons interacting in various ways.
When the people come out from behind the screen the crowd cheers.
My heart is warmed when I see all kinds of couples.

Love has no gender.
Love has no race.
Love has no religion.
Love has no labels.

As we go through PSA after PSA I start to feel exhausted.
When will class be over?
What am I going to have for lunch?
Do we have homework?

The timekeeper starts counting down the minutes in the chat.
5
4
3
2
1
Time
-1
I laugh and leave the call.

‍