Alex's Report Card

Alex Rodriguez woke up to a loud disruption. He got out of bed and began groggily stumbling to the kitchen. His parents sat on opposite sides of the dining table avoiding each other’s eyes. Alex’s mom then stood up and began walking to her room, but as she passed, she gave him a big hug.“Good morning, Alex.”

His dad looked up at him and said the same. “Good morning, Alex.” Alex’s day progressed as normal. He ate breakfast, took a shower, change into clothes, and ride the bus. Like normal.

The bus finally stopped at his friends house. “Hey, Alex!”Roger sat down beside Alex and they immediately began talking. “Are you ready to receive your card? Brrrr. I sure am not.” Alex’s heart dropped. “Card giving is today?“ \"Yep. It was announced by ma’am last week. Pay more attention, Alex! Hahahah” Alex continued on with the day half dazed. He was nervous and he was sure he’d fail 1 or 2 subjects.

The bell rang as students poured out of the classroom clutching brown envelopes. Some were happy. Some were passive. Some were disappointed. But few were afraid. Alex included. When Alex arrived home, both his parents were sitting down waiting. Alex walked about the house, stalling for as long as he can. It felt like he was walking on eggshells.

He slowly walked down and handed his envelope to his parents. They both smiled at him .“It’s okay Alex. No matter the grades, it’s okay!” They ripped open the top and pulled the piece of paper out. Their faces momentarily drooped but then returned to a smile. “Come here!”They embraced Alex in a loving and comfy hug. But that was a momentary calm.

Later that night, as he was falling asleep. All he could hear were the frantic shouting and the sounds of dishes breaking from downstairs. Alex curled up in bed. “Was this my fault? Is it my fault?” After a restless night of sleep, he awoke with a heavy pain in his chest. Despite this, the house almost completely silent. He walked down the stairs into the kitchen, no one was sat at the table.

Alex went to school as normal. But the odd pain in his chest seemed to progressively strengthen. At the end of the day. He arrived safely back home. But the pain had not yet subsided. But it seems that he has created a theory as to why this pain is here.

“THEN LEAVE! SEE IF I CARE!” Alex stopped dead in his tracks. He heard loud stomping from inside the house. He stood there petrified. The door swung open with a loud bang. His father rolled out with a large luggage bag. He stared momentarily at Alex before hopping into his car and driving away. His mom stared indifferently at the car driving away. Alex sprinted up to his room and began sobbing.“It was all my fault!”

Alex felt like garbage. He felt like a mistake. He was absolutely heartbroken. Out of nowhere. The door to his room swung open. His mother sat beside him and gave him a big hug. He started crying onto her shoulder. “It’s all my fault! I’m no good!” She hugged him tighter.

\"Is it because of me? Am I the reason?\" \"No, Alex of course not! We love you. And will continue loving you for eternity.\" As she comforted Alex, he fell asleep on her shoulder. She placed Alex atop his bed and closed the door.

\"The next day, his father arrived home with a bag of groceries. He greeted them both good morning but had not a romantic tone for his mother, but a friendly one instead. Though his parents may be separated. Their love for him was still there. They would never leave him, and though they may be separated, they will always hold his hands together.

By: Joaquin Latayan Grade 8 Aristotle (Batch 2) With special thanks to Gabrielle Lontayao