I Have To

"Wake up Shawn, the class is over. I have basketball practice in 15 minutes. I do not want to wait until you wake up." I jolted awake, my eyes snapping open as the reality of the classroom came into focus. It took me a moment to get my bearings, and the lingering feeling of the dream faded away slowly. I had fallen asleep during class again. Damnit.I turned my head, still a bit disoriented, to see the classmate who had woken me up standing over me. He was a bit taller than me, had dark wavy hair, and a determined expression on his face. I quickly gathered my wits and glanced at the clock on the wall, confirming that the bell had indeed rung, signaling the end of the class. I gave a sheepish smile and apologized, still feeling a bit groggy from my nap. "Uh, thanks for waking me up," I said, rubbing my eyes and sitting up. "I guess I dozed off there for a bit. Basketball practice, huh? Good luck with that." My classmate nodded, his expression softening a bit. "Yeah, the coach will have my ass if I'm late. Can't let the team down, you know?" He spoke with a hint of pride in his voice, clearly taking his athletic responsibilities seriously. I looked into his eyes and responded, "I appreciate you Wade. See you tomorrow." Wade gave a friendly wave and smiled, "No problem, man. Catch you later. And maybe try not to fall asleep in class again, yeah?" He said jokingly before heading out to make his practice on time. I sighed, gathering my belongings and packing up my things, still feeling a bit disoriented from my sudden awakening. The dream had felt so vivid and real, and I found myself missing the warmth and comfort of that imaginary moment. Oh, right. Mom wanted me to do groceries. Now, where did I put the list? I searched my pockets hurriedly, feeling my heart rate picking up slightly as I tried to remember where I had put the grocery list my mom had given me. After a few tense moments of searching, I finally found it crumpled up in my backpack, safe and sound. I let out a sigh of relief. After that, I turned my head to notice Sophie. A classmate of mine who excelled in volleyball. She was always active and enthusiastic about her sport, and her energy was infectious. We often crossed paths during breaks or between classes. "Yo, Soph. Are you going to the volleyball training?" Sophie turned to me with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Hey, Shawn! Yup, I'm on my way to volleyball practice. Coach wants to go over some new plays and strategy for the upcoming match. Gotta be at my best, you know!" I put on my backpack and look into her eyes with a teasing smile. "Last match was a loss right? I expect you to win this one on the friday. She laughed good-naturedly, her eyes twinkling with a competitive spark. "You bet I will! I'm determined to bring my A-game and lead the team to victory this time. We've been working hard, and I won't let one loss discourage us. Friday will be our time to shine. Count on it!" She replied confidently, her spirit unwavering. "I don't understand how much positive energy you have in the tank. I was sleeping literally minutes ago and I am not even sleepy anymore after talking to you." She chuckled, her laughter melodic and uplifting. "I guess it's just my nature. Volleyball is my passion, and whenever I talk about it, I get a rush of energy. But hey, getting enough rest is just as important. You must have been pretty tired to fall asleep during class like that." She said, her tone teasing, but with a hint of compassion. "Yeah. I am trying to balance work and school at the same time because of my-" Before I could continue, I was interrupted by a cheerful voice from behind us. It was Melissa, another classmate who tended to be loud and assertive. She was well-liked by many and had a sharp tongue. I looked at Sophie and sighed. "Should I run away before she learns and scolds me about falling asleep in class again. Sophie laughed, nudging me playfully. "No need to run, Shawn. Melissa can be a bit intense sometimes, but she means well. She's just protective in her own way. Just be prepared for a stern lecture, that's all. Considering she probably already learned that you were sleeping because of Wade." She said with a wink, knowing Melissa's personality and nature of Wade to tease me well. Melissa, hearing our conversation, chuckled and put her arm around my shoulder. "Shawn, Shawn...what will I do with you? You can't be falling asleep in class like that!" She scolded, but there was a hint of affectionate teasing in her voice. "You better start taking better care of yourself. School and work don't have to consume you, you know." I opened up the crumbled paper of grocery shopping list and replied. "Alright, I'll try next time but I gotta go." Melissa looked at the paper in my hand and nodded. "Alright, alright. Just make sure to get your assignments done and don't burn yourself out. We worry about you, you know." She said, her tone softer now. Sophie smiled, shaking her head at Melissa's antics.

"Off for grocery shopping?" Sophie asked, tilting her head quizzically. "Today is wednesday you know. Our fridge gets empty every wednesday. Which is kind of specific but it happens anyway." Sophie chuckled, nodding in understanding. "Sounds like a regular routine for you. Grocery shopping on Wednesdays, huh? Well, have fun with that, Shawn. And don't forget to grab some snacks while you're at it." She said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Sophie chuckled, nodding in understanding. "Sounds just like a regular routine for you. Grocery shopping on Wednesdays, huh? Well, have fun with that, Shawn. And don't forget to grab some snacks while you're at it." She said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I would ask if I could grab one for you to give it tomorrow but you are a volleyball player so you gotta keep up with the gym you know." She laughed, nodding in agreement. "You got that right. Volleyball requires a lot of discipline and dedication, especially when it comes to diet and exercise. But hey, just the thought of a snack is always nice, even if I can't have it." She said with a smile. "Don't worry about me, though. Save the snacks for your family or yourself." I begin walking away after patting the back of Melissa.

"I'll get one granola bar for each of you. That's a promise." Melissa grinned, giving me a friendly wave. "You better keep that promise, Shawn. And make it a good one, okay? See you in class tomorrow!" As she spoke, Sophie laughed and nodded, "Yeah, can't wait for that granola bar! See you soon, Shawn. Good luck with the shopping!" She added, her eyes sparkling with warmth as they waved me off. I chuckled to myself, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the upbeat energy, but also grateful for their friendly banter. As I walked away, I made a mental note to pick up some extra granola bars for Melissa and Sophie, keeping my promise to bring them a tasty treat.With a deep breath, I headed towards the grocery store, feeling a mix of determination and eagerness to tackle the shopping list my mom had given me. As I walked, my mind drifted back to Sophie and Melissa, their camaraderie and playfulness making me smile. It was a good day, filled with moments of connection and friendship. I couldn't wait to get the shopping done and maybe grab a granola bar for myself, too. After all, a little treat never hurt anyone. I was snapped out of my thoughts as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, slightly surprised, to find myself facing a classmate named Oliver. He was known for his rebellious attitude and mischievous smile, and he often had a knack for appearing out of nowhere."Hey, Shawn," Oliver said, his voice casual, "Thought I'd catch you on your way to the store. Mind if I walk with you a little?"