Max’s Start Of School

The summer was a mix of incredible adventures. Max traveled all over China, a whirlwind of cities and landscapes, fulfilled by endless supplies of soda, chips, and chocolate. Homework was nothing, in Max’s perspective, and was replaced by the freedom of long, carefree days. Now, as the final day of his vacation ended, the thought of returning to school filled him not with sadness, but with a bubbling anger.

The atmosphere in the classroom felt silent and heavy. Max grunted a quick greeting to his new teacher, Ms. Greg, before slamming his backpack onto the floor. The “paradise” of summer was gone. In its place were neat rows of desks, mountains of textbooks and homework, and classes that filled up one after another on the schedule of the day. He felt deep anger, as his fun was over. There was no TV, no snacks in his bag, but only the reality of school.

“Is Max here?” Ms. Greg’s voice swirled through the quiet. Max whispered a”Yes,” keeping his eyes fixed on his desk. Ms. Greg didn’t seem to notice. “Max?” she called again. Max sat there, his head down, refusing to even respond to a teacher and a place he found so boring. The third time, Ms. Greg’s voice was sharp. “Max! Max! Are you here?” He lay his head on the table, pretending he couldn’t hear her, pretending he was the only person in the room. A sharp loneliness and fury swirled inside him. Then, a roar of frustration burst from his mind. “I’m Max, and this is the most boring place I have ever been!” he yelled, shooting from his chair and stomping out of the room.

That afternoon, Max’s mom came to the school to talk to the principal. While Max eventually returned to class and slowly began to adjust his emotions, he still struggled to control his explosive feelings, often disrupting the class with his bursts.