The Snake Pit: Jr. High Can Be Torture

by Donna Dillon

  Why was I suspicious? Well, first of all, the first time she showed up at his house she said it seemed like he didn't even know she was coming. Didn't he send an e-mail asking her to come? She ever asked him because I don't think she really wanted to know. Bobby and Cinda spent a lot of time together and seemed to have fun but things changed when we went back to school after break.

  The kids at school, especially Lisa, treated Bobby horribly when they found out he and Cinda had been hanging out together during break. Bobby couldn't handle the pressure and told everyone that he was just using Cinda to get a good grade in math. Cinda, of course, was hurt...and as far as I know, Bobby and Cinda were never friends again.

  Then came the winter ball.

  Chapter Eight

  Mrs. Carter

  Of course, her father and I were devastated when Cinda was born with a cleft lip and palate. A congenital defect in a family, that as far as we knew, none ever existed. We agonized over what we could've done differently or what we may have done wrong, but it was simply God's will, and we accepted it. We figured with all the things that could go wrong with newborns, heart defects, missing limbs, retardation...this was relatively minor in the grand scheme of things.

  Cinda has always been the brave one. Surgery after surgery from the time she was a newborn, practically every year since, and she never once complained. It’s funny, our two older daughters often feel guilty because she was afflicted and they weren't. Cinda laughs that off, says they got the looks and she got the brains. That's not too far from the truth. Cinda has a near-genius I.Q.

  We have always tried to make Cinda's life as normal as possible. We encourage her to try new things and we worked with her from the time she learned to talk so she wouldn't have any speech defects. Everything seemed to be fine, until we moved here that is.

  Her first day at Hargrove Jr. High was very nearly her last. She tripped in the cafeteria and the other children threw food on her. Threw food on her, can you believe that? What's the matter with these children? And where were the teachers? I wanted to head straight down to that school and give the principal a piece of my mind, but Cinda wouldn't hear of it. She said she could handle it and, by golly, she got up the next morning and went right back to school. I don't think I could've done that...not in a million years. But, like I said, Cinda is the brave one.

  And then she met Charlie. Charlie is a character and we love her. She is everything that we hoped for in a friend for Cinda. Charlie is outgoing and funny and she has a stand-up-for-herself attitude that Cinda needed. They are perfect for each other. Charlie brought Cinda out of her shell...and Cinda kept Charlie humble.

  Not much I can tell you about Bobby. I know Cinda was tutoring him for awhile and from what we heard from Charlie, things kinda soured after the winter break. Cinda won't talk about it, but I get the feeling that Bobby didn't want the other kids to know that he and Cinda were spending time together.

  Charlie has told us about that trouble at the Jr. high. We tried talking to Cinda about it, but she just shut down and insisted everything was under control. I should've known that it wasn't, but I guess I just wanted to believe that my baby girl was all right. I should've put my foot down and went to that school myself. Hindsight is 20/20, and I have only myself to blame for not protecting my own child.

  Chapter Nine

  The Winter Ball

  I knew it was a mistake the minute I suggested going to the Winter Ball. I figured that with Cinda being kind of bummed out over Bobby, going to the ball would be the perfect pick-me-up. I couldn't have been more wrong.

  At first, Cinda wanted no part of any school function. But since this is the first year 7th graders are allowed to attend, I talked her into it. The whole class was buzzing about our first winter formal. It was all very exciting talking about decorations and dress colors and how we were going to wear our hair, when all of the sudden, we heard the voice of doom.

  “YOU are going to the Winter Ball?” Lisa sneered...an inch from Cinda's face. I slammed the locker closest to Cindas, very nearly, but unfortunately not severing Lisa's ear.

  Then Cinda did the most amazing thing. She spoke. Loudly. Clearly. Looking directly into Lisa's face. “I am going to the Winter Ball.”

  Lisa took a step back. She seemed to be at a loss for words, but unfortunately, she found her voice again. “Great...now this will be a freak show too.” And she stomped off without giving Cinda a chance to answer.

  As I watched Lisa walk away...I couldn't help myself and leaned over and whispered in Cinda's ear.

  “Gee, Cinderella. I think your ugly stepsister has some issues.”

  Chapter Ten

  Bobby

  I heard them all talking...the cheerleaders, I mean. I heard them all discussing something big happening at the Winter Ball. When Lisa saw me standing there...she hushed up quick. Who should I tell? And what should I tell them?

  I thought about asking Cinda to go with me to the ball, as my date. I knew she wouldn't go with me, not after what I did to her. And if something were to happen at the ball, she would think I was involved.

  I figured Charlie would listen to me, and she did. She cornered Lisa in the gym and tried to get her to spill her guts on the deal with the Winter Ball. All she succeeded in doing was standing there helplessly as Lisa threw herself off the stage screaming about how Charlie threw her off and her leg was probably broken. As Charlie was being hauled off to the office I saw Lisa smile. I knew I had to do something.

  I headed to Principal Martin's office, but he would not see me. He said he had bigger problems at the moment, one of which being Charlie and her upcoming suspension for the supposed attack on sweet Lisa Kellen. I had a sneaking suspicion that Charlie was not going to be allowed to go to the dance.

  Yes, I e-mailed Cinda. I tried to warn her about the dance, but I never heard back from her. No, I never e-mailed her about tutoring me in math, but I have an idea about who did. Lisa was at my house with my sister just a few days before. No wonder Cinda showed up at my house. She thought I asked her.

  I didn't think Cinda would go to the dance without Charlie…but I figured if I got there ahead of time I could stop Lisa before Cinda got there. I don't know what I was thinking...just that something had to be done.

  Chapter Eleven

  Charlie

  Now let's get one thing straight. I did not throw Lisa off the stage. I wanted to...I probably will later…but I didn't do it that day. She jumped off the stage and started screaming that I pushed her off and that he leg was probably broken. Of course, Principal Martin believed her and I got suspended for three days. And I was not allowed to go to the dance.

  Funny thing... I saw Lisa as I was leaving the school with my mom...she wasn't even limping.

  Anyway...I was out of the dance, so I assumed that Cinda wouldn’t go without me. WRONG. She said she had to go, or Lisa will win. Even if only went for a few minutes. I told her what Bobby overheard...she didn’t care. I didn't like it but what could I do?

  The day of the ball was cold. Sitting in Cinda's room was like being of the set of Extreme Makeover Cinda Edition. Her sisters were both pulling and rolling her hair, her mom was on hand with some special make-up bought especially for covering scars. She definitely reminded me of Cinderella at that moment. I just hoped she would make it to midnight before the magic wore off. The dress was beautiful, her hair was beautiful and I'm going to say it...Cinda looked beautiful.

  I knew I couldn't go, but I desperately wanted to. I did not want Cinda to face the world for the first time with her hair out of her face without me. I was worried, Cinda's mom was worried, her sisters were worried and Cinda stood there calm, cool and collected. As her dad pulled out of the driveway....we all sat down to wait.

  Chapter Twelve

  Principal Martin

  Detective, I resent being questioned this way. I had no idea this would happen, I can't be everywhere at once.

  The Winter Ball?? Well, yes, I heard that there was an unfo
rtunate incident that happened there, but since I was not there, I had to rely on my chaperones for information.

  Detective, I stand by my previous statement that kids will be kids. Since there was no physical injury, I don't see what you expected me to do about it. Kids tease other kids, you know that as well as I do.

  I do not tolerate bullying in my school...just before the dance I had to suspend a student for attacking another.

  Well, yes, I did speak to Lisa after the incident, and I don't recall whether she was limping or not, but I do know that Charlie threw her off the stage and she could've been seriously hurt. Of course Charlie denied it...Charlie denies everything.

  Well...I just assumed....of course, Detective. I will look into this a little further and get back to you.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bobby

  When I walked into the gym for the ball...I could not believe my eyes. Hares. Hundreds and hundreds of pictures of horrible harelips staring at me from every direction. I looked over at Lisa who was smiling at me.

  “What's the matter, Bobby? You don't like the decorations?” She said in that sweet, syrupy voice.

  I really wanted to hit her...I really did, but I thought of something that would hurt much worse. “You know, Lisa, you really are very ugly.”

  Lisa's smile faded but just for a second as we heard the gym door open. There Cinda stood, and I almost didn't recognize her, she looked so different. Beautiful almost. That is until she saw what awaited her. Slowly she turned and studied each and every photo of those awful hares. The light seem to leave her eyes as the other kids started to laugh. Cinda stood, for just a moment, and let them laugh before she turned and left the gym. Her Winter Ball was officially over.

  I tried to catch up to her, but by the time I made it to the door...Cinda was gone.

  I called her folks and told them what happened, then I called my dad to come get me. We searched for her for hours, it was very cold. Finally, we got a call from her mom, a little after midnight saying Cinda was home. She was freezing and tired, but otherwise, she seemed okay. I don't know how she could've been okay, she walked for hours in the freezing cold with nothing but her party dress and a winter shawl. Anyway, the whole thing reminded me of that creepy horror movie, Carrie.

  Chaperones? Sure there were chaperones at the dance. Lisa's mom, Mrs. Kellen was there, so was our Science teacher, Mr. Anderson, and the girl's P.E teacher Miss Cavanaugh. When I got there I saw Miss Cavanaugh and Mrs. Kellen arguing with each other, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. Miss Cavanaugh seemed really mad and Mrs. Kellen was standing there with her arms crossed trying to ignore her. She has the same creepy smile as her daughter Lisa. I don't know what they were arguing about, I'm assuming they were discussing the horrible decorations, I guess you'll have to ask them. I don't know where Mr. Anderson was, I only saw him as I was leaving.

  I didn't see Cinda at all for the next whole week. Apparently she caught some kind of cold that kept her out of school. I thought she must have pneumonia or something after spending all the time out in the cold that night. I tried to go by her house and see how she was doing, but her mom said she wasn't up to visitors yet. I have a feeling that she just didn't want to see me. Her family was real nice and thanked me for helping to look for her, but I am not sure they totally trusted me. I can't say that I blame them. I truly am sorry for how I treated her and I told them so, but some things you can't take back.

  Charlie told me that she was bringing Cinda her homework every day and that she wasn't talking much. I gave her a card to give to Cinda and to tell her to get well soon, but I don't know if Charlie gave it to her or not. She never said.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ellen Cavanaugh

  I have been the Physical Education teacher at Hargrove Jr. High for 19 years. I had a bad feeling the minute I saw Cinda walk into my class. Lisa Kellen, especially, took an instant dislike to this girl and I couldn't figure out why. Cinda was sweet, soft-spoken, never a harsh word, never a bad attitude, but these girls were downright vicious. Sure, Cinda didn't look like everyone else, but she was hardly the monster these girls made her out to be.

  I tried to talk to Lisa about it. Lisa has about as much respect for the teachers at this school as she did for Cinda. Lisa is a beautiful girl, and the other girls naturally follow her, so I believe she thought, because of her popularity, that she had every right to treat people however she pleased. Unfortunately, she was right. Nobody stopped her.

  I sent notes home to her parents, requesting a conference. It was ignored. I sent another note home detailing my concerns about how their daughter's treatment of Cinda might be affecting her. Nothing. Finally, I went to Principal Martin.

  I got the same old “kids will be kids” speech and I knew he was going to be no help at all. I talked to Cinda about it a few times, but she begged me to let it go. She said that she'd been through this before and it always gets worse when grown-ups get involved. So, I backed off. I instituted a “zero-tolerance” policy in my class against name-calling, and after a few detentions it finally stopped. But, those girls are good. I was never able to catch them, but every day it seemed Cinda would get a volleyball to the face, an elbow to the ribs, or a slam into the wall....all accidental, of course. Charlie became my second eyes and ears, but even she fell victim. And there was nothing I could do.

  It was about three days before the Winter Ball. I was in my office preparing a test for the class when I heard an un-godly scream. I rushed into the gym and I saw Charlie standing on the stage and Lisa Kellen on the gym floor screaming that Charlie had pushed her off the stage and that her leg was probably broken. I had no choice but to take Charlie to the principal's office. I got back to the gym just in time to see Lisa jump up, brush off the school nurse, and run off with her friends, giggling and laughing. I felt my stomach drop as I knew I'd been had. I rushed back to Principal Martin's office, but he said Charlie had to made an example of, and announced that he was suspending her for three days.

  Charlie managed to get a message to me before she left the school. Something was going to happen to Cinda at the Winter Ball. She didn't know what, but she had a feeling it was going to be bad. Immediately, I volunteered to chaperone the dance. You'd think I just volunteered to walk on the moon, the way the other teachers reacted. Nobody volunteered to chaperone a Jr. high school dance....nobody.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Mark Anderson

  My name is Mark Anderson, and I teach 7th and 8th grade Science at Hargrove Jr High, a position I have held for the past 5 years. Cinda was my prize pupil...she had a natural knack for the science, especially Chemistry. I found her to be so advanced, and so intelligent, that I had to make special lesson plans just for her so she wouldn't become bored in my class. But, I soon found out that boredom was the least of Cinda's problems.

  I'll admit, this being my first teaching job, that I don't know much about dealing with adolescent girls. What I do know about these girls is that I am glad I am not one of them. They can be deceivingly sweet and innocent one minute and just as vicious and hateful the next. Cinda, having the affliction she had, was a natural target.

  I only had these girls three hours one week and two hours the next. The new block scheduling doesn't allow me to spend any significant time with them other than that, so I was essentially oblivious to the severity of the situation. It was only after I got roped into chaperoning the Winter Ball, did I fully realize what was going on.

  I arrived at the dance just a few minutes before Ellen. I found all the pictures of the rabbits, or hares, very strange, but was unaware of their significance until Ellen arrived. When Ellen saw the pictures, I knew by the look on her face that this was a bad thing, and I was horrified when she explained what these pictures were supposed to represent. Ellen told me to take as many as I could down, and made a beeline for the other chaperone, Mrs. Kellen.

  I swear, I tried to get them down, but we are talking about hundreds and hundreds of photos. Rememb
er, these are 12 year old girls we are talking about, how they got the resources to print up all these pictures is something I am still trying to figure out. Anyway, I had taken down maybe a hundred of them when I heard the girls start laughing.

  My brain didn't register that it was Cinda at first, she looked so pretty. Her hair was done, she had make up on and was wearing a beautiful dress. But the look on her face, her expression, or lack thereof, is something I will never forget as long as I live. Expressionless, like a blank screen, at first I thought she may be in shock. But then she turned slowly, and looked at all the pictures, and all those laughing little girls, and disappeared out the door.

  Immediately I yelled for the girls to be quiet, and I ordered them to remove every single offensive picture from the gym. What I should've done was shut down the dance that very second, but I felt that I needed to find Cinda and make sure she made it home. I found Ellen, who was still arguing with Mrs. Kellen, and told her I was leaving.