The main entrance to the school is the gates of hell, which, once crossed, open only after a few hours that feel like eternity. Many brave souls have tried, but none have managed to earn the title of "School's Chosen One – Runaway." I climb the stairs and pass the reception desk. A brave woman, greeting the students a la a bounty hunter straight out of an RPG, looks at us with a characteristic half-smile. The woman is behaving like a witch, her eyes bulging with joy because so many victims have been lured today.
My stomach starts to ache, and I want to run, though I don't know why. But the game is just beginning. One Pierog, death. I cross the line to the cloakroom, the gate to Mrs. Stasia's realm. She takes a break whenever she wants, and only opens the cloakroom after completing an extremely difficult, mythical maze with a Minotaur inside. Rumor has it that her mother was killed as a child, and since then she has become a demon. He earns special points for not opening the cloakroom. This isn't about allowing students to break up, but rather about situations during PE lessons when uniforms are required, or at the end of the school day.
I change into my special sneakers. They feel like metal in skateboarding pants, but oh well; rules are rules. I have to pass a master's test.
I'm next to the reception desk again. To get up the endless stairs, I have to show my ID—my ticket to school life. Again, I don't want to, but I have to. I'm letting you in. I'm Mateusz Sobierajski from 2a. Yes, it's me—safe and sound. No one kidnapped me, and I'm not a vampire, troll, or werewolf. Good morning.
First lesson—Polish. Luckily, it's only a trip to the first floor. I check the clock on my phone. Five minutes late. I have no hope. I enter the classroom, but Mrs. W. won't let me in. The train to knowledge has departed without me. I have to wait outside the classroom because I'm disrupting the lesson. I sit quietly on the bench in front of the door. It's too bad, I didn't manage to successfully navigate the maze. I'm missing the opportunity of a lifetime. Due to my lateness, I have to be absent.
I long for a moment of sleep. Since it didn't work on the bus, maybe this wonderful activity will work for me here. I close my eyes. The weight lifts. The ton of events and adversities disappear for a moment. For a moment? I wish. Something hurts my eyes. It's a flashing lamp on the ceiling. It must be broken. I won't sleep anymore. I can't leave the scene because it would be an even bigger offense. Total stupidity. I'm in the classroom in spirit, but I can't take anything from it. I sit as if sentenced to death. My eyes, like a glimmer of hope, stare at the door to the land of knowledge. Maybe someone will at least open it a crack. Unfortunately, I remain seated. Minutes pass.
The lamp went out. Pop. A distinctive sound. My heart feels calm. I want to close my eyes. My eyelids droop. Trrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! The recess bell rings. A herd of cattle runs out into the hallway at terrifying speed. 10 long-awaited minutes.
My class leaves. The recess passes in the blink of an eye. There's not even a moment to chat with my loved ones.
We have our second Polish class. Mrs. W. comes in. First, a several-minute lecture about being late pierces my ears, then the first lesson continues. We continue discussing a text. I don't understand a thing. I try to concentrate, even though I know I won't succeed. After a few minutes, devastated by my helplessness, I ask my deskmate for an explanation. Mrs. W. notices our quiet conversation, and it's on topic. Explanations are futile. Michał emerges victorious from the rehearsal. Like a knight on a white steed, he wins the princess's hand. My exam is like kicking someone who's down. I know absolutely nothing. I wasn't there, after all. As a reward, I get an F. Probably as motivation to continue working. It's a shame my parents won't understand it. Generational conflict. Books versus entertainment. But whatever.
The next few minutes fly by, sitting aimlessly at my desk. I feel like a ghost. As if I weren't there. The bell for the next break is my salvation. I emerge from the dreadful classroom. Soon, a trip two floors up, but first, a trip to the land of toilets.
I enter. There are about ten people inside. Oh well, yes—we'll have to wait. Like back in communist times, for sausages. Everyone sits there as long as possible. It's stuffy, and the janitor watches every movement, even the slightest. Fucking Big Brother. Maybe he should even come with me into the stall and check if I've peed on the seat. The urinals are out of order, of course. What else? They'll fix them in a few months. Who needs that?
When the last person leaves and the gate to happiness opens for me, I hear the bell, symbolizing the end of break. Not now! I quickly go in and do my business. Phew! So good.
I go to the sink and start washing my hands. Cold water only. Great! It's good that it's there at all. There's no soap. I ask Big Brother when it will be ready. "It will be when they bring it." I would never have guessed. That people like that are born. I splashed the floor, and she tells me to clean it. What's her job? A damn cleaning lady! Probably to draw attention! I tell her the bell's past and I'm in a hurry, and she says she doesn't care and I'll mop the entire floor as punishment. What more can I do? It's your mess, bathe in it yourself. I run again today, this time to the classroom.
I cross the threshold. History. Mrs. K. looks at me like I'm a murderer. You're late! To answer. I explain that it's not my fault. It's a physiological need. "You're not in elementary school, what do you think you're thinking?"
The carnage begins. He bombards me with questions, probably reserved especially for me. The most minute details. Even if I studied for days, I wouldn't remember it. Another failing grade. It's here! Simply fantastic! What else will happen to me today in my beautiful life?
Finally, the bell rings! A long break. I head to the shop because I want to buy something to eat. The line is like communist times. And as soon as I get close, someone lets someone through, and they'll just go to their fucking death. I won't give up, just like I didn't do it before. And once again, I achieve my goal of getting my coveted cheese roll just as the bell rings.
More lessons – trips up the stairs and sitting quietly so they don't ask you anything. If I understood anything, it would be better, but I don't.
Finally, the last bell rings. I go down to the cloakroom. Again, a multitude of people. They seem to be born here. I grab my jacket, change my shoes, and leave the school. I run to the bus stop, but the bus still misses me.
I have to wait 15 minutes for the next one. Only 15 minutes at a bus stop packed with people. And it's starting to rain. Harder and harder. I zip up my jacket. Great! I realize I forgot to attach the hood.
Finally, the allotted time passes. Of course, there's another few minutes of delay, and I get on. This time, however, I'm not going home, but to meet my girlfriend. She finally found some time...
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