Just In Time (The Santa Clauses)

Going to Have to Wait

"Kasey, let's get copies of this flier out to all the students about family day." I placed the green flier on her desk, while simultaneously putting on my black coat so I could head out of the office for a little while. "Send out a mass email to all the parents just in case students don't actually bring those fliers home."

"You got it."

"I'm off to my education conference. I have my cell if you need to reach me for any reason. Vice principal Kelly is in charge until I get back."

"Have fun. I have no doubt you'll show them who's boss." She trailed off as Mrs. Faraday stepped into the office. It grew even quieter as Mira stepped in hesitantly after her. My smile faded as I tried to read Mira's expression. What I got from her was fear, sadness, and embarrassment when she sat down on the bench behind her.

"Hi." Mrs. Faraday acknowledged as she leaned back against the entrance. "I was wondering if you had a minute." I could already sense this was important and any educational conference would have to wait.

"Sure, tell me what's going on?"

"Mira?" Mrs. Faraday inquired first, sticking her head out the door, but all Mira did was shrug her shoulders while continuing to stare at the ground. "One of her classmates found her trying to keep her wrist from bleeding while she was sitting at her desk."

Thank you, I'll take it from here." I told her, sitting on the edge of the seat next to Mira, getting ready to make my next step. Mrs. Faraday nodded, quickly excusing herself back to her classroom.

"I'll give you two a minute." Kasey grabbed the flier I had given her and made sure the office door was locked behind her so we could talk privately.

"Thanks, Kasey." Allowing a few more seconds of silence between us, my gaze flickered to the way her feet were moving back and forth in agitation. "Mira, does anyone else know you're cutting?" Her body immediately stilled, head tilting slightly as she subtly shook her head.

"You're the first." Her words barely came out above a whisper, her lower lip trembling as she bit down on it to keep herself from fully breaking down. As a mother, my heart was breaking into a million pieces at her confession. I wanted nothing but to wrap my arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay, that she was loved and cared for.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all this alone. How long have you been feeling this way?"

"I don't know." Mira shifted uncomfortably towards the other armrest, her body language suggesting she did know just didn't want to talk about it.

"Okay. I want you to know my offer still stands if you ever want to talk."

"Do we have to tell my dad about this? He already has enough to deal with."

"As much as I want to say he doesn't have to know, you have to first understand how it's my duty to keep my students safe. How concerned I am about you cutting," I told her gently, her eyes shining with unshed tears as they cast over to mine for the first time since we started this conversation. "I know your dad is at work right now. I can call him and let him know what's going on, or we can call him together. Either way, I'd really like you to stick around for a while until we can figure out what to do next."

"I wish we didn't have to." She swiped at the tear running down her cheek, her other hand absently rubbing at her sore wrist then pulling away as the door suddenly opened. Kasey was now holding a stack of fliers in her hands as she looked us both over before placing the papers on her desk with a thud.

"Why don't you and I go make that call now," I said softly, rubbing her back in a comforting motion, my hand resting against hers as she stood up with me. Her right hand was tightly wrapped around her stomach as she sat down in the same chair she had the last time she had come into my office. After finding the phone number her dad had left for his emergency contact, I dialed and put it on speaker so Mira could also hear the conversation.

"Hi, Nick? This is Principal Calvin. I have Mira with me. Do you have a minute we can all talk?" At this point, the young teenager was holding her hands against her face trying not to sob, so I moved the phone around on my desk and wrapped my arm around her again.

"Yeah, I have a minute. What's going on?"

"This morning her homeroom teacher, Mrs. Faraday brought her in to see me after one of Mira's classmates found her trying to keep her wrist from bleeding. After having a long talk with her, she admitted she had been cutting."

"Cutting her wrist? Mira, is that true?"

"I'm so sorry, dad."

"I know you've been having a hard time after your mom died." His last words came out breathlessly as he struggled to comprehend everything he had just been told. "I don't even know where to go from here."

"I'm aware this is a lot to take in. However, due to the severity of the situation, I would like us all to meet if possible today and work on a plan going forward that works best for Mira. I would also like to loop in Dr. Wilder, the school therapist if he's available."

"I am on my way back from lunch. I can be there in about twenty minutes."

"That works. I'll keep Mira with me until you get here."

"Great, thank you for taking care of my girl."

"You're welcome. We'll see you soon." Taking the call off the speaker, my office grew silent besides the few sniffles coming from Mira. "Hey, I know that wasn't something you wanted to do. I'm proud of you." Giving her arm a gentle squeeze, I stuck my head out the door. "Hey, Kasey. Can you see if George can stop in for a few minutes?"

"I can give him a call in just a minute. Let me just get this email out. What would you like me to tell him?"

"Tell him I have Mira in my office. See if he can come down for an emergency meeting. If he can't, let him know I'll fill him in when he can meet with me later."

"I will let you know what he says. Did you get in contact with her father?"

"He should be here in about twenty minutes. When he arrives please send him into my office."

"You got it."

"You're the best," I called over my shoulder with a grin as I returned back to my office. I decided to leave Mira alone for the time being, instead focusing on looking over our self-harm policy. After making a few changes, I printed out a parent fact sheet for self-injury and a self-harm notification that her dad would have to sign after we talked things over." I was just filling in the school and district names with a black pen when a light rap sounded on the other side of the door. "Come in."

"George is on his way down." Kasey poked her head in. We both looked over at Mira who was now cradling her injured wrist in her lap, her head resting on top of her good arm. This day had clearly worn her out. "Let me know if you need anything." She lowered her voice, slipping out of the room as quickly as she had come in.