A Year Without Snow

-53-

Friday, 3th March 2017 - part 2

I leaned back in my seat, my head resting on the cold wall as I readjust myself on the old blue plastic chair that stood in front of the principal's office. The principal's secretary, a short blonde-haired woman, who had been here since I could remember, stood up from her chair, and crossed the room to walk to the printer, and as she passed by Carson she gave  me a disgusted glare. I brought my headphones closer to my ear and changed songs, I was listening to an '80s playlist that I had created when I was 12 because I thought it would bring me closer to my father, seeing that his music taste was one of the few things I knew about him. Irritably I tried to turn the sound up because the secretary's kettle was shaking furiously on her desk as it warmed the water for her tea, but as I touched the button I found out that or was already on its top capacity.

I looked in front of me only to see Carson with his head resting against the wall as he gave a side look to the secretary who was absently touching buttons in the printer as she eyed Carson suspiciously. After finally taking her eyes off of him she picked up the papers that had come out of the printer and walked back to her desk, this time eying Carson and making an unnecessary big curve to not pass next to him, almost bumping on my leg.

"Do you've got a problem?" Carson finally asked.

"I beg your pardon." She replied as she sat down.

"Afraid I'll still the kettle or the printer?" He asked her calmly.

"There's no need to raise your voice." She said with a shaky voice.

"Where in hell is this a raised voice?" He asked.

"If you don't calm down right now I'll have to call the Principal Watson." She said as she put her skinny hand on the phone.

But she didn't need to call the man as the door of his office opened and he came out with a group of five people behind him.

Before any of them could speak the secretary stood from her chair clearing her throat before saying, "Principal Watson, I would just like to warn you that Mr. Carson here has adopted a very violent tone."

The principal turned to Carson said trying to place his face and when he finally did he let escape a small smile before saying, "Ah, Rick, yes. You were always a bit naughty weren't you?"

"Rafael" Carson made a face of disgust.

"This senior class has been giving me a lot of trouble," He continued without answering, "I think I will have to graduate all of you quickly." He said while laughing as if he had said the most hilarious joke. "You have to be careful, we don't want disciplinary complaints this year. I promised the administration that this senior class would be exemplary, we have a reputation to maintain as the top school of northwest Vermont." He said proudly his back straight as he looked down at all of us. "But here with miss Grace I think it will be an easy task. Exemplary."

No one answered except Grace who gave him an awkward smile, "Go on to your classes, now. No harm will be done to your reputation," He said brightly before adding in a whisper, "Or mine."

He turned to smile at Bryson, Dallas and Jack, purposely ignoring Scar, who was eyed by the secretary just as Carson had been. I stood up quickly and made my way to Scar locking my arm with hers.

"You can leave, go ahead. In a few months I want to hear all about your acceptance in Ivy League schools. And for the love of God Dolores, turn off that kettle."

"What did he say?" I asked her as we fastened our pace to leave the administration.

"He's a pussy, said we had to be more responsible and in tune with the administration." She said while letting out a deep breath, "Whatever that means."