by Sophia Stone
‘HELP. SHE’S IN HERE! CALL THE POLICE.’
I walk towards the body and see the tell-tale blonde hair.
‘What on earth has happened?’ Mrs. Jenkins stands in the doorway with a pile of textbooks in her arms.
‘HELP ME!’ Karen pleads.
When Mrs. Jenkin looks and sees Laura on the floor, she throws the books to her side and runs to Karen’s aid.
‘Keep her away from me,’ Karen sobs as I approach to help.
I still don’t understand what has happened. It’s only when I see my school bag next to Laura’s head that I realise something bad has happened.
And I think I have something to do with it.
3
Tick-Tock-Tick
The noise of the wall clock gave me something to focus on among the other noises of the receptionist’s office. The chit-chat and dull clunk from the photocopier distracted me. I didn’t even have anything to entertain me for the indefinite period I’d be waiting. Mr. Perry never rushes.
I must have sat outside the head teacher’s office half a dozen times over the course of my time at the school. I’ve waited as long as an hour before being seen, which I am sure is a method deliberately used to instill dread.
My head is pounding from earlier and I still can’t make sense of what happened. If it was a dream, why was Laura on the floor? Why was I in the library? None of it makes sense.
‘Mr. Perry will see you now Miss Castle,’ The elderly receptionist doesn’t wait for my response before getting back to her typing.
I get up and cross the hall to knock on Mr. Perry’s door. The pause of thirty seconds always happens as a final display of a power trip.
‘Come in.’
Mr. Perry is an old-fashioned head teacher. Not like those cool ones you see in movies. I know the game now and so wait for permission before I sit.
‘Do sit Miss Castle,’ he gestures to the seat in front of his desk. ‘So, Miss Castle, it appears you have caused a significant amount of damage in the science block.’
‘I didn’t do anything. All I remember is-.’
‘Hmm. I see,’ Mr. Perry removed his glasses and began cleaning them with his tie. ‘You see, Miss Castle, we both know classrooms do not just damage themselves.’ He held his glasses up to the light to inspect them for smudges before putting them back on his face.
‘No. I get that. But I wasn’t there. I was in the library.’
Mr. Perry let out a deep sigh.
‘How long do you think I have been teaching for Miss Castle?’
‘Ten- fifteen years?’ He smiled and clasped his hands together.
‘It is, in fact, thirty-two years. Now in all those years of teaching, do you think I have not encountered your type before Miss Castle?’
‘My type?’ I asked.
‘Yes, Miss Castle. Your type. Troubled. From a broken home. I’d go as far to say that pathological liar would be an apt description.’
‘But I’m not lying. I remember waking up in the library. When I got up, I looked at the time and assumed I had fallen asleep before class so made my way to Mrs Jenkin’s room where I saw-.’
‘Where you saw Miss Jones on the floor?’
‘Yes with-.’
‘With Miss Brown?’
‘Yes. Karen was on the floor.’
‘Mrs Jenkins said she found your bag next to Miss Jones. If you were not there, how did your bag appear in the classroom?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Are you aware that we have spoken to the pupils who were in that classroom while the damage occurred?’
‘No, I wasn’t aware.’
‘I have also spoken to Miss Smith and Miss Brown. They have been most forth coming with what took place. I have their statements,’ he flicked through the papers on his desk and pulled out two handwritten sheets. ‘Care to read them?’ he pushed them in front of me and I scanned them.
‘Both girls have reported the same thing, Miss Castle. They both report hearing you boast that you will “Get them back” for Miss Jones’ accidental collision into you on your way to your science lesson this morning. Is that correct?’
‘Boast? I said nothing about getting them back. I wouldn’t.’
‘Why would these girls lie, Miss Castle?’
‘I don’t know. They don’t like me.’
‘Would you care to see the other pupils’ statements?’ Mr. Perry pulled the rest of the handwritten sheets, placing them in front of me. ‘Twenty-seven other pupils collaborate with Miss Smith and Miss Brown on the events that happened in that classroom. Your recollection of events does not corelate with the witness statements of twenty-nine other pupils. This does not instill confidence you are telling the truth in regard to what happened in that classroom, nor the boasting that took place beforehand.’
‘I thought it was a dream.’ I mumbled.
‘A dream? Do you expect me to believe you caused that damage by dreaming?’
‘I understand you won’t believe me, but I don’t how else can I explain it.’
‘Miss Castle, I think there is a perfect explanation for this.’
‘There is?’
‘Of course. We both know you caused this damage.’
‘But I-,’ he raised his hand to stop me.
‘Let me finish Miss Castle. We both know you caused the damage in the science classroom. I am also aware from your records you have had a fairly troubled background. The vast majority of the pupils who attend this school are from good families. In fact, I can attest to the backgrounds of Miss Jones, Brown and Smith. Their fathers are regular visitors to the golf club I frequent. They are honest young women, a trait that should be instilled in all children, regardless of their home life. I can see this has been lacking in your home,’ he pulled the papers from in front of me and neatly stacks them on the side of his desk.
‘It is because of my personal relationship with the girls’ fathers that you will not be facing criminal charges. Miss Jones has been incredibly lucky in only having a minor concussion. Several days at home to recover should make her fighting fit.’
I didn’t know whether to be grateful or angry. Nothing I say is going to convince Mr. Perry that I am telling the truth and don’t know how this all happened. If I get a criminal record, my chance to escape goes up in smoke.
‘Thank You Mr. Perry.’
‘That is not quite the end of the matter, Miss Castle. While the school nor the families will be pressing charges, the school will look to recover the cost of the damages as well as permanently excluding you from this establishment.’
‘My family don’t have the money and where will I go to school?’
‘Well Miss Castle, neither of those issues are my concern anymore since you have ceased being a pupil here as of today.’
‘But I did nothing wrong! Karen and Amy are lying. They are bullies.’
‘Miss Castle, you cannot make such accusations without evidence.’
‘Everyone knows it. Laura is a bully too. The girls bully everyone. They didn’t hear me boast this morning. They were trying to get me before science and god know what they would have done if I hadn’t run to the library.’
‘What were they trying to get?’
‘Get me. Hit me. Kick me. Spit on me. Call me names. The usual. The usual things I’ve had to endure from these girls every day since I started at this school.’
‘I highly doubt that Miss Jones, Brown or Smith bully students. They are girls of an outstanding nature,’ he fiddled with his papers in an effort not to look at me.
‘Where is the CCTV from the hallway? It will show I am telling the truth.’
‘It has been overwritten.’
‘Why? Why would you do that?’
‘Miss Castle, the inner workings of this school are not your concern. Even without the CCTV footage, I have statements from pupils admitting to witnessing you damage the classroom. As for your bullying allegation, I cannot comment on such a matter without evidence.’
&
nbsp; ‘That’s Bullshit!’
‘Miss Castle! You will mind your language in my school.’
‘What about my exams next week? What happens to them?’
‘As you are no longer a pupil of this school, then you must make your own arrangements. As it is too close to enter another school for the exam period, I imagine you will most likely have to sit them next year. The next session for exams will be next June.’
‘Next June! I am due to start university this year if I get the right results. I can’t delay that.’
‘That is no longer my issue Miss Castle. Hopefully in the next year you will reflect on your actions and the consequences of lying.’
‘I. Am. Not. Lying. I didn’t boast about it.’
Heat. It’s coming.
‘I will not waste anymore of my time debating with you Miss Castle. University is not suited to everyone. Maybe you should consider attending the Retail Job Fair in the town center? It is usually held at this time of year for those not quite up to the academic rigors of university.’
‘I am perfectly capable of getting into university.’
Calm.
‘Yes, well…. If you ask for a leaflet at reception, it should tell you all the information about the next local fair. Goodbye, Miss Castle.’ He points to the door and then turns back to his computer.
Maybe I don’t remember how the classroom got damaged, but I know deep down I probably had something to do with it. I always do. I sense the heat rise in my fingers again and I want to trash everything like this man has trashed my dreams. But I don’t. I use my words instead.
As I get up to leave, Mr. Perry doesn’t look up, instead, he fiddles with the paper on his desk.
‘Mr. Perry, you are right. Honesty is a good trait to have.’
‘I am glad you agree, Miss Castle. Please close the door on your way out.’ he moves the paper on his desk as if searching for something.
I’ll get you to look up, you old goat.
‘That’s why I want to tell you something.’
‘Oh, and what is that, Miss Castle?’
‘Mr. Perry…. go fuck yourself.’
I walked out and slammed the door behind me before he had a chance to respond.
4
It had been two weeks since the school expelled me. In that time, I called every school in my area to see if they could fit me into their exam schedule. I had even resorted to offering the little money I had saved up to get the schools to fit me in. It was the same excuse every time.
‘It’s too close to the exams to fit you in. Try again next year.’
Unsurprisingly, Amanda had flipped out when she found out I had been expelled. After the initial shouting match, she started to kick me out for the day. I wasn’t allowed back until 5pm so this meant from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon, I needed to keep myself occupied. School, no matter how bad, had always been a place of refuge for me to get away from my hectic life. Now that was gone, I needed to find something to fill the void.
I wonder if my real parents would have believed me. I wonder if they would have helped me find a new school.
Once I’d exhausted calling the schools in my area (and some further afield), I resigned myself to a regular pattern of going to the local library. It was warm to the point of stuffy, and the staff were practically nonexistent, so no one questioned my daily routine.
I filled the first few days of my library visits by finding out if there were other ways to get into university without exams. As it became increasing apparent that my options were limited in such a short space of time, it started to dawn on me that I was going to be stuck with my current life for at least another year. The alternative was to give up on my education and go find a job. I could move out sooner, but I could never afford to go to university while working.
I had hoped for a sign or a message from higher up showing me a different route to further my education. When the poor weather forced the library door to slam in my face and the poster for the Retail Job Fair smacked me in the face, I realised that maybe I need to look at lowering my ambitions.
It was still a week until the jobs fair, so I continued with my routine of walking to the library and staying until I was allowed home. Rather than depress myself with books about university, I avoided that section in the library. Reading a variety of books on different topics helped to distract me. That and throwing in a nap to break up the long afternoon after lunch.
‘Miss,’ I feel a finger poke into my shoulder. ‘Miss. It’s time to go. We are closing.’ I lifted my head off the wooden desk, and I’m greeted by one of the male security guards above me.
‘Sorry, I was just resting my eyes.’
He chuckled. ‘If you say so. Don’t forget to take your belongings with you.’
‘I won’t,’ I shoved the few library books I had borrowed into my bag and made my way to the exit. The room looks more blurry than usual, so I blink a few times and focus on the exit.
‘Miss. You’ve forgotten your glasses,’ Touching my face, I knew something wasn’t right. This always happens. I turned around to slog back to retrieve them only for the guard to walk towards me and hand me my missing glasses.
‘Thank you,’ I wipe the glasses on my dress before putting them on.
‘Have a nice evening Miss.’
‘You too.’
The walk home in the dark was not my favourite part of my new routine. My walk home not only involved walking past my old school but also cutting through a subway under the railway track. People got mugged cutting through the dimly lit tunnel and the more nervous parents banned their children from using this shortcut. It saved me so much time compared to the forty-five-minute detour alternative, that I’d risk the chance of getting mugged. I didn’t have anything worth taking, anyway; only a four-year-old phone that wasn’t much use to anyone else but me.
Because the locals knew about the risks of getting mugged, it was normal not to see anyone else in the tunnel. The odd drunk maybe, but that was a rare occasion. As I walked into the subway, I had the suspicion I was being watched. The sound of multiple feet behind me made me tense and hold my bag closer to my chest. The flicking light above me reminded me of those of horror movie scenes. The part right before the main character gets murdered.
‘Oh look, it’s Frizzie!’
Please don’t be them. Please don’t be them.
‘It can’t, Laura. Frizzie is way bigger than that.’
I pick up my pace, deciding it’s best to try to run rather than confront them here. I wouldn’t stand a chance.
‘Quick, get her.’
The sound of the girls running towards me echos through the tunnel, so I match their pace and run too. The exit is a few steps in front of me and I think I might escape unharmed, when Karen appears in front of me, crossing her arms. I stop myself in time before running into her.
‘Please,’ I plead with Karen. It falls on deaf ears as someone grabs a handful of my hair in their fist. I try to pull the hands off when Laura’s face emerges in front of me.
‘Thought you could get away with that little tantrum, did you?’
‘I don’t know how it happened. I don’t. Please. I didn’t mean to,’ I babble.
‘Did you hear that girls? The freak can’t even get her story straight.’
‘I promise I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought it was a dream,’ I realise how insane that sounds as soon as the words leave my mouth.
‘So, you dream about hurting Laura? Why are you dreaming about her? That’s sick.’ said Karen.
‘It wasn’t on purpose, it just happened.’
‘Hear that Laura, she dreams about you,’ Amy said, causing Karen to laugh.
Laura loses her temper and shoves me to the floor, which stops Karen’s laughing at once.
If I lose my temper, I know what will happen. But why has the heat not started?
‘I had to spend a week in a sling and miss the running competition because of you. Months of work gone
because of a stupid sprain.’
‘Laura, I’m sorry,’ the trees outside the tunnel were blowing old leaves into the tunnel which had pooled around my legs.
‘Oh, you will be,’ she said with a smirk. Laura reached down and took my glasses off me and passed them to one of the other girls. I knew they were beyond repair when the sound of feet crunching the glass reverberated through the tunnel. It would take me ages to get home without my glasses.
‘As you are no longer in school, I thought it would be a nice idea to give you something to remember us by.’
I felt a kick to my head. ‘Isn’t that nice of Laura, Frizzie?’ Amy said.
‘Y-yes. It is nice of her.’
‘Grab her arms girls,’ Laura pulled the hair that had blown into her face as the wind speed became faster.
I try to get up as the two girls pin my arms to the floor. I close my eyes and try to get the heat go to my fingers, but it won’t work. What’s the use in being a freak if it doesn’t work when you need it too?
‘Let me go. Let me go now.’
Laura kicked me in the thigh. ‘Will you shu-.’
The three girls were silent for a moment so that the only sound was that of footsteps walking towards us.
‘Evening,’ a voice said as his blurry outline walked past me. I could see their long blonde hair move in my direction, but he walked past me. If it wasn’t for the voice, I would have mistaken this figure for a woman.
‘He’s a weirdo,’ Laura said to the other girls. ‘Where was I? Oh yeah, your leaving gift.’ I could feel her foot on my outstretched arm, pressing down slightly.
‘As you nearly broke my arm, I thought I’d return the favour. An eye for an eye and all that.’
‘Laura, you don’t have to sprain my arm. I said I was sorry. I really am and if I could make it up to you-.’
Laura laughed again. ‘I’m not going to sprain your arm silly, I’m going to break it,’ I felt the removal of pressure as Laura lifts her foot from my arm. I close my eyes and waited for the inevitable pain of her crushing my bones.