It Started With A Blizzard

Chapter One

The last day before Christmas break always dragged but the snow was making it worse. It was falling down the way it always looked in old kids movies; soft and silent. The most horrible part? I have detention today of all days. I was in a fight the day before with a boy in my grade, Campbell Brown. He was an arrogant, freakishly tall boy on the basketball team and I loathed him. He was picking on another boy, a grade younger, named Blake Miller who has always been given a rough go of it. So I stuck my grape flavored bubblegum in Campbell's curly blonde hair and watched his skin turn Granny Smith Apple red.

Now, I don't think he really would've been dumb enough to hit a girl, but when he started towards me I swung a right hook just to be sure. I was honestly having the time of my life until I heard Mrs. Davis about, "Chelsea Williams, get off of that boy!" Her deep, loud voice brought me back to reality faster than I threw that punch.

Principal Sinclair says it technically wasn't a fight, just assault, but was proud of the sentiment of taking up for another student. Nevertheless, a right hook is apparently unacceptable. He gave Campbell and I both detention only for the following day and reminded Campbell that bullying is grounds to be kicked off of the basketball team and he's on his last chance. I didn't hold in my snicker at that.

The final bell rung and I gathered my things to go sit in Mr. Halls room with all of the other delinquents. I wasn't new but I wasn't a regular by any means, don't get it twisted. I'm only a delinquent when I have good intentions. Sometimes you have to make some people mad to do what is right. My dad wishes I'd quit and just worry about myself but that's not me and probably never will be.

There we sat, Campbell, Jake Stephens, McKenzie Mullins, Lindsey Sears and me, watching the snow from a new window. We have to wait for Mr. Hall to come and tell us what to do- probably a science quiz or a trivia game about the probs and stats of being a bad kid. My favorite is when he makes us look at mug shots of his old detention regulars. I wanna tell him so badly that I'm sixteen and if I'm screwed up already that looking at Vickie's mug shot isn't gonna change that. But I think he's funny so I let it go.

I had almost fallen asleep when Lindsey said, "Oh my god, the snow is up the window sills!" All five of our heads were fixed, looking at the snow and how high it had gotten. I felt a ball form in my chest, I knew this wasn't normal. I got up and peered past the snow, there aren't any cars in the parking lot, not even Mr. Halls bright red Jeep.

"We need to call our parents," I said, the ball on my chest growing, "no one is here."

McKenzie rolled her green eyes, "Can we not be so dramatic, Chelsea? People know we're here, they wouldn't all leave without telling us. They're not that stupid."

I bit my tongue, McKenzie had always been blunt, something I usually appreciated about her, just not so much when it's aimed at me. This time though, I think she's wrong.

"Yeah, Chelsea, shut your mouth. I know it must be hard to when you don't have a top lip but please give it a try." Campbell quipped, clearly still butthurt about yesterday.

Heat came to my cheeks from pure embarrassment and I immediately shut down. Where I was great at sticking my neck out for others, I never could do it for myself. I knew not to take his words to heart but it pinched at my insides. Campbell and I had butted heads for years and I think he is truly despicable but somehow his opinion cuts through me like a knife.

"Okay but to be fair, even Mr. Halls Jeep is gone," Jake stood up from his seat, "so whether we're alone or not, no one is coming in here."

"Yup so we better go. Cmon Kenzie get your stuff, I'll call my mom and she'll probably give you a ride home." Lindsey quickly got up, gathering her things and pulling her phone from her jeans pocket, "Oh nuts, no service."

Cell service went down about forty minutes ago, I remembered. I had tried to text my older sister, Jacie, to complain about my life and it failed. Add that to the list of complaints. It got awkwardly quiet and the air was stiff, my cheeks had cooled down but the ball in my chest had grown. I snuck a peek at Campbell, who was chewing his fingernails and glancing from the snow outside to the classroom door. He used to twirl his curls but thanks to me, they're too short for that now. Blessing in disguise I'd say, it always made him look like a girl.

Jake threw his hands up and huffed, "I'm going to the front office, someone's probably up there waiting for us and we're just sitting here like idiots."

There were some grumbles from Campbell and McKenzie but everyone got up and followed Jake to the front office. I was praying Principal Sinclair would be there but wasn't stupid enough to bank on it. His car was missing from the parking lot just like everyone else's. And to no surprise, the front office was empty and Principal Sinclair's office was locked shut. We were alone and the snow was taller than the door handles. It had happened so fast that I'd not even noticed it was getting so high. It is still falling like it does in those old movies. It could almost be beautiful if I wasn't so scared. Logically, we have been forgotten and are now stuck-with no cell service, in a winter storm, with people I don't even like. Did my dad seriously not think to come and get me? Did the school not send a text out to the families? They had to of done something since all the other kids are gone. How is it possible that one room gets left behind and we didn't even notice the rest of the school leave? None of this makes logical sense to me. I know the intercom system is broken but they would've gone to every room for an early dismissal, wouldn't they? The ball in my chest burns.

"We're screwed." Lindsey sighed, "We are without a doubt going to die here."

"Lindsey," McKenzie pinched the bridge of her nose, "there is food and water in the caf and the backup generator will keep the lights and heat on. We're not going to die."

"You're talking like we're staying here. I am not spending my Christmas break trapped in school all because this freak can't keep her gum in her mouth." Campbell spat, looking at me with hate. No one had ever looked at me like that.

"You're stuck here because you were picking on an innocent person. Why can't you leave Blake alone? You've given him hell since primary school and I'm not gonna watch it happen anymore." My voice shook but I knew I needed to say it.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. You know nothing about either of us so I'm not sure why you think he's some kind of precious angel who needs protecting. Maybe you should learn to mind your own business." Campbell didn't stutter once, nor did his voice shake or his hands tremble. He meant every word.

"People like you make me sick." I said, pulling back into myself, no longer interested on having this argument. It isn't worth my time.

"Handle your problems on your own time, I promise you that no one else here cares. We need a plan." Jake said, clearly annoyed.

No one spoke. No one had a plan. Not even know-it-all McKenzie. I wanted to throw up my lunch - chicken nuggets and strawberry milk. I held it in, afraid of more criticism from Campbell who is still staring at me. Lindsey sat down on the wooden bench by the front office, she looked like she was holding back her vomit, too.