My Own Mission Impossible

There are two kinds of students; the ones that wait to the last minute to complete a task and the ones that don’t even care about the assignment. For a long time, I was part of the later group. It was during my 9^th grade, being labeled as the “wrong crowd” did not help in the matter after, all there if you hear people calling you something after a while you start believing it yourself.

It was a Catholic school in Caracas-Venezuela the place always felt like indoctrination camp; finals were starting. The test itself were not bad, not that I understood what it was asking of me, I just ‘tried’ the best I knew how, and waited, hoping to remember something from the class, alas my hours of playing video games where not paying off.

Talking to my friends I got the impression that I did not do bad, but having a friend like Armando who after all was the smartest of our little group, made me realize that the chances of me passing the exam were close to none, it was too late to study. It was a time for action! The idea was not an elaborate one, but the idea of having to explain my failing grade to my mother just was not very appealing.

The school was going thru some remodeling, certain areas of the building where wide open, workers where walking about, and the ventilation areas were at our disposal. After talking to some of my friends Armando included, we all decided what to do. We (meaning me) would use the ventilation system, get into the teacher’s classroom, take the tests, make necessary changes, put them all back and finally get away from the school. Not the brightest plan I know but what can I say, sometimes you don’t use the best judgment.

Being finals-week people could either stay at school, or go home, most people left for home. But there was always someone walking about. We decided to have three people scatter around the school, to make sure this particular teacher did not go back to his classroom were he kept the exams and just in case he did show up someone would let me know with sufficient time to make my get away. Because it was my idea, I was the one assigned to do the hard work, I had to climb up thru an openings in the ceiling, move up and down in small areas, making sure to make no noise or make my presence known, for me this was a piece of cake, it was actually exhilarating. One of my “buddies” was backing me up, he was right behind me there was nothing to fear.

Making it to the classroom was a bit difficult, there was an opening in the top of the storage room in the second floor, and I landed without a problem, I was feeling like a ninja and although I was a martial artist I knew that my sensei would not approve of what I was doing. After no more than three minutes I was able to locate the exams without any trouble, but to my dismay I heard keys by the locked double doors, luckily there where two doors and a small hallway between the teacher and where I was. I ran to the storage area. My options where very limited, going back from where I came from was out of the question (there was not time), the way I came in was out of my reach and in order to climb all the way up would take at least a minute.

Time started to move in slow motion, I needed something and fast. I looked to my right and left, but every place of hiding was too small for anybody older then five, all possible spots where visible from every angle. The idea of being like plastic-man and fit into a small box was very appealing at that point. I could hear his footsteps, without any other options I decided to be the next best thing and be as flexible as I could be; I got myself inside of an old boom box, I took the speaker’s panel off and got in, there was nothing inside but some 1960’s circuitry and now me.

Many things started to run in my mind; I could remember the events that lead to this particular event, not preparing for my exam, goofing around, and other things. The idea of being outside and laughing with my friends came to mind, how I wished to be out of this mess, not a minute had passed and my mind was still going back and forth, thinking of how my mother would react just brought disgust to my stomach. My thoughts became more linear and I started to ponder how people can make so many stupid decisions, how could I be making such a blonder at this moment? I could be expelled, where would I go? I did not like my school but I did not want to be kicked out…

I could hear him now I am sure he felt something was at miss after all why would he be at the storage room? I could hear the footsteps getting closer; suddenly I could see a pair of pants, just standing in front of the speakers I was in. I wondered if he could see in, I sure could see out but it is dark were I was at… Did the light reflect my silhouette? he was not kneeling and this was a good sign. My heart kept on beating faster, louder, I was sure he could hear it, how could he not? I felt every noise I made was being multiplied. For reasons unknown to me he suddenly lost interest and left, I still wondered if he saw something and felt it was just too crazy for a student to try but I never got around asking the guy.

I could not tell if he was still in the room, I waited; I waited for what seemed like an eternity. I ventured outside of my hidden place but he was not there. The idea of messing around with the exams lost its original appeal; I started to make my way outside. My so-called friends abandoned me, I was careful in my way out and I was not caught. Sometimes people can put small things on the line, sometimes they can put a lot, it is up to you to decide when to stop and step back and see what you are doing. My friends thought the experience was neat and bold; even then, I realize it was a mistake even when I did not want to admit it to myself after all I got away without a problem. I am glad I was not successful and even though it felt like I was living in my own mission impossible I learned that sometimes it pays just to work a bit harder before the test...