Chapter Three

"Ms. Hayes!"

I jerked my head up, looked back up at the teacher, formidable, holding a piece of chalk in one hand, a yardstick in the other. Her long red dress swayed slightly as she made her way toward me. "Do you insist on getting detentions?" She glared.


"Yes," I replied, "More study time." I watched the blood rise to her face. She pulled her shoulders up, the way my mother does when she sees a speck of dust land on her precious glass table. I held eye contact, stared her down. Yardstick pointed at the door, Ms. Ven uttered through gritted teeth, "Out. Now. Principal's Office."


"Does this mean I don't need to take that quiz today?" I questioned, a small smile spread across my face.


"NOW!" Picking up my bag, I followed the yardstick out the door. I strolled down the hallway, whistling a tune. The endless lockers followed me to the stairs, where I met the blue metal again at the bottom. All alone, I leaned again the heavy exit doors, out into the sunshine. No reason to stay inside on a day like this.




My parents however, did not agree that I required some fresh air. My dad, home for once, glared at me from the other end of the table. I shoved some peas down my throat, eyes passing from one parent to the other. My mother remained expressionless, her high set eyebrows arched perfectly over light pink eye shadow. She wiped her mouth delicately with her cloth napkin.


"Sweetie," she began as I arched my eyebrows, "we have come to a decision after that little..." she searched for a word. My father found one.


"...stunt you pulled off today."


She thanked him and continued, "The missed homework, detentions for tardiness, disrespect, and all this other nonsense you've been at has led us to a conclusion."


Her pause gives me time to stuff another fork full of beans into my mouth.


"We are taking you to a psychologist."