Learn To: Exist

after zero

She had shouted at a junior, while walking down the hallways in a heated rush, for ten whole minutes. The first five Edith spent questioning the young boy’s ability to think. She then proceeded to spend the final five minutes scolding him and demanding a justification for his stupidity. It wasn’t her fault that she couldn’t just stand by and watch him humiliate himself in front of a bunch of people with his unjustified and false theory that the female population, in general, belonged in the kitchen. He deserved to be yelled at, at least a little.

But of course, no one – not even Mrs Raj – saw the light with Edith’s way of voicing her opinions.

“Mr Bennett,” said Mrs Raj, turning her attention to James, her voice drawing Edith out of her daydream. Grunting, James slouched further into his seat, showing his annoyance and dissatisfaction for him suddenly being the topic of conversation. “You’re on the school council and you’re one of sixth form’s brightest and most promising students. I would have expected this kind of behaviour from Edith, but certainly not you.”

Edith frowned, not at all liking the insensitive words that were coming out of Mrs Raj’s mouth. She looked down at her skirt and began fiddling with the loose threads. Getting in and out of detention became an easy routine for Edith but getting her best friend in trouble wasn’t. Mrs Raj glanced at her and frowned.

“You’ve had an average of three detentions each week.” She snapped at her, her attention now fully on Edith, “You show no respect or care for the sixth form’s rules. How long are you going to trudge further into this mess before you finally reach your fourth strike?”

Edith looked up in confusion. Fourth? Had time really passed that quickly?

“You’re standing on very thin ice, Miss Barker. On the fourth strike, you will be sent into a week-long suspension; you will not be required to come to school and your parents will certainly be informed. On your fifth, suspension for a month is necessary and please don’t make me remind you how important your A-Levels are. They may be one year away but all the strikes you have accumulated  will be carried over next year. Surely you do not want to be denied the opportunity to come to school just before your exams, do you?”

Edith shook her head solemnly. 

“Good,” Mrs Raj declared, looking only somewhat satisfied, folding her arms. “I do not want any more trouble from the two of you, do you understand?”

Edith’s mouth had pursed into a fine line. She had wanted to say something, something to defend her rash actions but the bell had rung and almost instantly soon after, Mrs Raj spoke once again.

“Your time is up; you may gather your things now. Miss Edith, I expect to see your report on the incident on my desk in January.” Mrs Raj paused to pick up a pile of papers that were on the side of the teacher’s desk. “Enjoy your holidays.”

Slowly but steadily, Mrs Raj exited the detention room. Leaving behind a trail of her perfume and with the door now shut, the room was quiet again. Edith sighed and looked over at James, her eyes slightly glazed from how dry they’ve been in the cold. She rubbed at them quickly before standing up from her seat and reached for her brown rucksack, swinging it over her shoulder to a comfortable position.

“Here,” she said, picking up James’s bag as well and holding it out for him. “Take it.”

James glanced down at his book. After a few seconds of deliberation, he shut his eyes and let out a long, exasperated sigh. “You didn’t have to,” he said suddenly, gathering up the rest of his books and shoving them into his bag.

“No, of course I didn’t. But I wanted to. Now shut up and decide where we’re having lunch,” Edith replied, flicking the loose strands of hair away from her face. “I’m hungry.”