The Last Name on the List

It's your first day. You sit near the window and you don't say anything.

The teacher has a list of names. She reads the first name.

“Present,” a boy says.

She reads the second name.

“Present,” a girl says.

Your name is on the list too. It's the last one. You look at the door. You look at your hands.

The girl next to you sees your face. “It's easy,” she says. “You say present. That's all.”

Then the teacher reads your name.

“Present,” you say. It's a little too quiet.

The teacher looks up from the list. She waits.

“Present!” you say again.

“Good,” the teacher says. She puts the list down. “Now all of us are here.”