The Secret Life of a Toilet Dweller

James Dean

"The quietest people, have the loudest minds."

Despite me praying to almost all the gods I could think of, when Tuesday rolled on, football day. Levi approached me.

Let me explain my own sheer stupidly from the beginning. I woke up, thinking it would be any other stress free day of learning. I woke up slightly earlier this morning as I wanted to wash my hair. Which I did. I reminded myself to buy some more shampoo, which further pushed Levi’s ‘promise’ from yesterday back. I got dressed and wet downstairs for breakfast to be met by my mother’s scowl. Today I looked like a boy. Well, I usually didn’t look very “lady like” according to my mum, but it seemed to day in particular that she didn’t like my outfit. She asked me if I had borrowed the Timberlands on my feet from my brother (which I didn’t by the way). Her comment pushed Levi further back (if that was even possible) into my mind. I started thinking to ways of taping my mother’s mouth shut. I put on a coat as today, even I had to admit looked extremely cold. As I walked to the bus stop, I remembered that I would have to walk past the security guards today after yesterday. My heart would race a little as I thought about all the things they would say to me. As I sat on the bus, with thoughts of taping my mother’s mouth shut, finding a way to get into the school without passing the security guards and trying to remember how much money I had in my account to buy my shampoo after college, Levi completely slipped my mind.

As I walked closer and closer to my college gates, I seriously contemplated jumping over the fence. I could easily make it, and I was dressed for this anyway in my ripped jeans and Timbs. I had convinced myself I could make it and was now only waiting for the road to thin out so I could jump over. I tried to stand there inconspicuously. I played with my phone, looked at the pigeons fighting for bread and admired my black nail paint. Along with my hair, I took great pride in my nails. It had taken me nearly three years to kick the habit of me biting them and now I enjoyed the fruits of my labour. I spent an hour every Sunday between 1 and 2 painting my nails and designing them. I was lucky that I was artist and had steady hands, so I was able to always have elaborate designs on them. Once or twice people stopped me and asked me which nail bar I had gotten my nails done. I don’t know why, but I lied and said a random nail bar in Peckham.

“Princess?” I shifted my weight to my right leg and turned to meet Jason. He had stopped in the middle of the road in his car. Well, it really wasn’t the middle of the road as our college road was never busy, it was college kids driving in and out, but still, he didn’t own the road to just stop. If he turned up on Crimewatch I would report him! “What you doing? Aint you gonna be late for first lesson?” Jason asked. I looked at the person in his passenger seat. Richard. He only looked up once when Jason had first stopped, and since then he had played on his phone. I did notice that when he did look up, his eyes lingered on me.

“Yeah, I’m just waiting for someone.” I lied quickly. I patted myself on the back inwardly, I was getting pretty good at lying. My response time had improved since last year.

“Alright, have you thought of an answer to my question?” I remained silent. “Do you even remember my question?” I nodded. I really did remember it, but I just didn’t have a reply. Jason’s stupid question was all that had been on my mind for some time now.  “Make sure you have an answer by the next time I see you.” I nodded as he drove off. Cars had been honking at him to move for a bit. I blushed as people finally drove past me shotting me angry looks.

After that, I decided to face the music and pass the security guards. I walked past them with my head held high. I even waved at them, and they smiled and pointed at my jacket. I put my thumbs up and went to my first lesson.