lighthouse

elevator confessions

After the terrible fight, Kalani had re-injured her ankle, making her unable to play in the game after school. The team had lost the game, causing Kalani to feel slightly guilty.

Now, she was back in school the following week. She didn't miss any days and continued like she had for the previous two weeks. She had to use her crutches to get around, but she didn't mind because teachers would never mark her late and people usually moved out of her way in the halls. 

After math class, she headed to the elevator to go to home-ec. As she walked into the elevator, she heard a voice behind her. "Can I hitch a ride?"

Kalani turned around and came face-to-face with Leo Dooley. She honestly didn't care if he wanted a ride and would abuse her elevator privileges. She nodded. "Sure." They walked into the elevator and made small-talk as the elevator descended. "How was your day?"

"Good. How about you?"

"Good."

"You guys do anything fun over the weekend?"

"Mostly just some training drills."

"Cool."

The room became awkward as Leo didn't really to try to engage in conversation. A quiet silence fell over them both with Kalani desperately wanting to fill the void, but she feared that he just respond disinterestedly again. 

Quickly, the silence was filled by the all-encompassing presence of Principal Perry. "What are you doing in my elevator?"

Kalani responded, saying that she was injured, but she was spoken over by Leo. "I'm enjoying the music. Today is 'Love Songs From the Nineties.' Wanna dance?"

"Use the stairs! This is exactly how healthy kids become unhealthy adults."

"Really?" Leo looks Principal Perry up and down. Kalani wanted to exit the elevator, but they were blocking the exit and she didn't want to interrupt their conversation to ask to get through. "Are we having this conversation?"

"For your information, I'm a speed walker. Perhaps you've seen me at the Mission Creek Mall giving the shoppers a little eye candy." Perry walks away and addresses the entire student body, letting Kalani finally use her crutches to exit the elevator. "Listen up, space-fillers! This is Emergency Preparedness Week. An emergency drill can happen at any time. So when the alarm sounds, you must evacuate the building in an orderly fashion—Like cattle, if cattle had acne... and braces... and a future filling up my gas tank." Principal Perry laughs as she walks away from the lobby.

She walks over next to Leo and his siblings for three reasons. One she knows them, two they were the closest group to the elevator, and three she didn't want to be seen standing alone.

Adam starts a new conversation with his siblings. "Oh, man! I wish I had Bree's super-speed! Because you do not want to be stuck walking behind cows in an emergency, trust me on that!"