The Big Four (A Modern ROTBTD Story)

Why Are We Here?

~Merida~

The LED lights are a nice change of pace compared to the bright sun I was staring into a minute ago. My sneakers squeak across the hallway floor making me even more aggravated than I already am. I should be in target practice right now. We have regionals coming up in about a month and I'm 2nd best on our team behind the senior captain, Robin. I have no idea why I was asked to come to the principal's office, in the middle of practice!

I hear the squeak of sneakers once more and I'm tempted to just take them off and carry them the rest of the way. I should be in my combat boots like I normally am. Coach wouldn't unlock the locker room to let me change because the principal said he needed me there ASAP. But here I am, walking rather slowly through the empty hallways. At least I could grab my green flannel before leaving to tie it around my waist. No one in this school wants to see me in my practice shorts, not even those on the archery team. I don't know why the coach insists on us wearing matching uniforms to practice.

Squeak

I reach down and start to pull the heel off of one of my sneakers when a door across the hall swings open. "You're late." Echos principal Cringle's voice. Unaware I had a time limit, I slide the sneaker back on and roll my eyes. He steps to the side holding the door for me as I slide into his office. I'm surprised to see 3 other kids from my grade there. I thought I was meeting him by myself. My face heats up as I think about the practice shorts and tank top I'm wearing. I move the flannel from my waist to my shoulders as I sit down in the only empty seat left.

I'm next to a scraggly boy with messy brown hair. He's messing with a notebook, flipping the pages back and forth, almost like a nervous habit I assume.

The principal enters the room and walks over to the window. He doesn't acknowledge any of us but instead, stares into the empty school parking lot where most of our seniors park during the school day. I'm getting annoyed and begin to bounce my leg. A nervous/annoyed habit that I have. He walks over to his desk, hovering around his chair like he doesn't know if he wants to sit or stand to tell us whatever he wants to tell us. Cringle opens then closes his mouth as if he wanted to start but didn't have the right words. A few more seconds pass in silence. I hear the clock ticking in the silence.

Tick Tick Tick

I know I'm being impatient but I can't take the silence anymore. My fist lands hard on his desk making the blonde girl in the middle, jump. The principal whips his head around, a stern look on his face. I was contemplating about continuing my fit but I have every right to be angry, especially if he can't even tell us why we are here.

"So are you going to tell us why we're here?!" I demand, standing up from my chair.

I forgot I was still in my practice uniform but at this point, it would be more embarrassing to sit back down. I wait for an answer but all I get is "I don't like your attitude, miss."

Cringle's arms are crossed and his eyebrows are furrowed. I can feel the other kids staring at me but I've never been one to care what people think. Which makes me wonder why I care if anyone sees me in my practice uniform.

"I'm going to ask you again," my voice is loud, echoing in the small office, "Why are we here?"