Pins and Needles

Chapter 6

The floor below my feet became increasingly fascinating as I stayed posted in front of Mr. Peters. I kicked at the rough tile and noticed a scuff mark that was left behind by my rubber soles.

"Ms. Crown, do you mind if we have a chat back in my room?" the man before me inquired, a bit rushed, might I add.

I peered up at him through my lashes, "I guess, although I'll be late for P.E."

"I think that should be the least of your worries at the moment," he quipped.

I raised my eyebrows and hands in defense, then motioned to follow him back to his class. While it would have made sense for me to be on edge in that situation, I wasn't. In fact, I was probably more relaxed than Mr. Peters. He seemed skittish and alert, jerking his head every which way when he heard even the slightest of sounds. He also fell into the habit of checking behind him every so often; I assumed it was to make sure I was still behind him, but I still found the actions strange.

Once we got back to the history classroom, I leaned on one of the front row desks cooly, not displaying a sense of urgency anywhere in my body language. Mr. Peters frantically closed the door, double-checking it as he scampered over to his desk. I let out a low scoff, unable to contain my amusement at the irony of the situation. The lanky administrator shot me a glare, then adjusted his glasses before leaning on his desk.

"Now, would you mind telling me what you were doing in the restrooms without a hall pass?" Mr. Peters wondered.

I placed my hand on my chin, grinning shyly behind my palm, "How'd you know I didn't have a hall pass?"

Mr. Peters looked at me as if I was stupid, "Why, because your hands are empty with no pass in sight. Unless, of course, you placed it in a hidden area, to which I would say that that is highly inappropriate."

"I feel quite uncomfortable that you would even consider that possibility, Mr. Peters. There would be no need to go to that extent just to hide a pass," I countered, relatively disturbed by his insinuation as it made zero sense. "I honestly had no time to ask for a pass since I had to use the restroom so badly. I didn't even make it to the gym! So, I went to the closest bathroom possible and cared less about the consequences."

"Do not give me lip, young lady," the teacher snapped after the last sentence. "Why couldn't you have just gone to the bathroom in the locker rooms? I'm sure you could have held it in a little longer."

I faltered for a moment, but recovered quickly with my years of lying experience to support me, "I would have if the teachers didn't lock the doors after class started. The first bell had already rung when I was rushing to get there, so I decided to detour to a different bathroom knowing it would take forever to get into the locker rooms."

I was immensely proud of my response, impressed by the sturdiness of it. I could easily fall back on some made-up examples of when the "locked doors" had proven to be a struggle if it were so needed. However, Mr. Peters was having none of it.

"Do not lie to me, Ms. Crown. I was a PE teacher two years ago and know very well that neither the gym nor the locker room doors are locked after class starts."

I bit my lip, cursing slightly internally, "Well, how do you know it wasn't changed? After all, we did get a new principal last year and she changed a bunch of stuff around school."

Mr. Peters laughed heartily, almost mockingly, "Ha! I do not believe so. My wife, Mrs. Peters, is one of the gym teachers and would have told me if any policies changed."

I was shut up, unable to come up with another excuse. I began to panic, my positive facade fading with the idea that I might be beaten. Mr. Peters clearly noticed this change in attitude and took advantage of it.