My Self-Insert Bedtime Story | 1

I

Annika walked down the busy hallway, looking for her best friend. She held her books tight to her chest, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring. She watched as Principal Strickland studied the crowd of students, as if he were looking for someone in particular.

"Where is he?" Jennifer appeared at her side, also looking for the boy. "He can't be late again."

With her free hand, Annika pushed back her red hair. "I don't know where he is."

Jennifer sighed and pushed her way through the crowd towards the entrance of the school, Annika behind her. "If he comes in this way, Strickland will surely find him." Annika nodded in agreement as they flounced down the stairs.

As Jennifer predicted, Marty was casually skateboarding towards the entrance. "Yo, Jennifer, Annika," he nodded in greeting. Jennifer grabbed his arm as he was about to pass us.

"Marty, don't go this way," she warned him. "Strickland's looking for you. If you get caught, it'll be four tardies in a row."

Marty didn't complain as Jennifer and Annika walked on either side of him towards a side entrance.

"Why are you so late, anyway?" Annika asked him.

Marty gave her a side grin. "I'll tell you later."

Luckily, the three were able to get inside of the school unnoticed. Jennifer took the lead, looking around every corner before turning down a hallway. Annika felt like there were eyes on her, but whenever she turned around, no one was there.

Jennifer peered down a hallway. "All right, come on. I think we're safe." Walking backwards, Jennifer checked each side of the hallway, and deemed it safe for Marty to appear.

Marty looked at Annika and Jennifer. "This time it wasn't my fault, the doc set all his clocks 25 minutes slow." Annika grinned as Marty flung his hand around Jennifer's shoulder.

"Doc? Am I to understand you're still hanging around with Dr. Emmett Brown, McFly?" Strickland suddenly appeared and grabbed Marty's arm, turning him towards him. Annika was pushed out of the way and behind the principal as he scolded her friend. Marty didn't answer as Strickland pulled out a few sheets of paper.

"Tardy slip for you, Miss. Parker," he handed Jennifer a tardy slip. She took it from him, giving him a fake smile. "And for you Miss. Adams," he turned and gave to Annika too. The other girl sighed and took it begrudgingly, stuffing it in the pocket of her jean jacket. "And one for you, McFly. I believe that makes four in a row." Marty took the paper and put in his pocket.

Strickland lead the three down the hallway. "Let me give you a nickel's worth of free advice, young man. This so-called Dr. Brown is dangerous. He's a real nutcase."

Annika scoffed and rolled her eyes. Marty and Jennifer noticed her and smirked, but either Strickland didn't notice or care, and he continued with his lecture.

"Hang around with him, you're gonna end up in big trouble."

"Oh, yes, sir," Marty said sarcastically. Strickland stopped him with a hand on his chest, causing Jennifer and Annika to stop too.

"You got a real attitude problem, McFly. You're a slacker." Strickland stuck his finger in Marty's face. "You remind me of your father when he went here. He was a slacker, too."

Marty nodded, he'd heard this hundreds of times before. He looked at Jennifer then to Annika. "Can I go now, Mr. Strickland?" Without waiting for an answer, Marty tried to walk away, Jennifer still under his arm. Once again, Strickland grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"I notice your band is on the roster for the dance auditions after school today. Why even bother, McFly? You don't have a chance, you're too much like your old man. No McFly ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley."