“Come on Johnny! You’re going to miss it!” Yells Sam as she darts across the open field sprawled out in front of us. I watch her run, every so often she turns around to see if I’m coming, her mahogany hair is blowing out behind her, and her face is broken into that cooked smile I fell in love with. Her face is colored golden from the setting sun, and I know she will be mad at me if I don’t start moving soon. I dart after her feeling the dead, yellowed grass as it pulls across my legs. I can feel a soft smile pull across my lips and I have never been happier than I am in this moment.

“Johnny!” I can hear Sam’s voice, but it sounds distant, like I’m underwater and the sound is trying to force its way into my ears. The scene in front of me begins to fade and light peeks through my eyelids. I can feel the rough cotton of my hoodie on my face and I begin to blink, trying to adjust to the angry fluorescent lights.

            “Johnny, if you don’t wake up right now Mrs. Jacobs is going to send you to detention again!” Sam’s voice is urgent as she tries to pull my head out of my crossed arms. Suddenly I remember where I am and pull my head up quickly. Unfortunately, I don’t realize that Sam is leaning over me and I headbutt her right in the nose.

            “Fuck! Sam!” I turn fast to see the damage I’ve done. She is clutching her face groaning; blood is dripping down and landing with a slight plop on my desk. Her eyes are forced shut and I can see tears forming at the corners. I am suddenly very aware that I am in Mrs. Jacob’s English class and it is deathly quiet. I turn my head slowly surveying the rest of the students and realizing all eyes are on me.

            “And that class; Mrs. Jacobs starts, is why we do not sleep in class.” She is standing at the front of the classroom with her arms crossed over her chest. She’s normally a really nice lady, but right now, she looks livid. “Mr. Martin. Why don’t you escort Miss Lewis to the nurse’s office. Maybe she won’t need to go to the hospital to have her nose reset, but I highly doubt it considering the density of your skull.” Mrs. Jacobs then turns back to the smartboard and continues teaching whatever lesson she began before I fell asleep. I try to put my arm around Sam to help her to the nurse’s office, but she just glares and pushes me off. I opt to just follow behind her the rest of the way instead.

            She eventually forgave me for breaking her nose in Mrs. Jacob’s class that day, but she still holds it over my head any time I try to tell her no. That was the only time in 35 years that I have ever hurt her and she knows it. She now has a slightly crooked nose to match her slightly crooked smile. I think it makes her even more beautiful, but I still cringe a little every time I look at it, remembering that I’m the reason she snores at night.