The Annoying Dreamer and the Artistic Doubter

Abuse of Attendance

Camila noticed Silas seemed a lot more busy since their talk, especially spotting her grades starting to slip, with their English teacher warning them they have a quiz.

A tap on the head snapped her out.

"You okay? What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing," spotting a play flier on the wall. "Mom said she'll be free for that."

"You wanna do the play?"

"Yeah! It could be fun. Coach said they'll need someone for designs and effects."

"Oh yeah," imagining the designs she could make. "You'd be a good fit."

"I'm just worried about," getting interrupted as they were put on different sides for kickball.

While the kicker was waiting, Camila overheard Royal bringing up coming to school early.

"Wait, why?"

"We overheard Ms. Faherty and Mr. Schwarz talked about a surprise test for the reading after his class. So if we get there early tomorrow, we could steal the questions and be prepped early."

"Won't we get caught?"

"True," pondering the thought. "Wait, come up with us! If you tell them they asked to come there early, we could get into his room first."

"Won't the door be locked?"

"They have those long meetings at the end of the day. And if they forget, I heard there's someone to unlock the door in the morning. All we have to do is tell them we left something behind and while they go to another room. You in?"

Camila pondered it as Silas swung and missed hurling the ball at the teammate.

"Yeah."

"I'm in."

The next day, Royal, Camila, and two of their friends approached the school, cutting through the staff to ask the security guards to let them in, contacting the parent coordinator.

"Hey Mr. Jackson, let us in!"

His response allowed them to come in, as they explained they were there for Ms. Faherty's plans. Camila noticed a bookbag nearby.

Where have I seen that before?

"Camila, you left something upstairs?"

She was startled. "Yeah, sorry, Mr. Schwarz' room."

"Someone should be there to help you."

Royal led them up the staircase with the security cams, stopping at the third floor where Ms. Faherty's class lied to continue, not seeing the person.

"We'll be on the lookout for the teachers. Make sure you find the evidence."

Reaching the fifth floor, as soon as she heard a door click, Camila raced through the halls quietly enough to not get noticed, slipping into the room just as the person moved away to insert something inside.

Just as she was about to head into the room, the lights turned on and a scream left her shuddering.

"Camila?"

"Busted," turning around. "Silas? What are you doing here?'

He dashed to her. "Ssh," whispering. "There's a meeting over here."

The sound of footsteps left him scared enough to turn the lights back off and pull her in the closet, both of them staring face to face in the dark.

"Sorry."

"What are you doing here so early?"

"I put up the attendance for each class in the morning. The teachers are usually busy and the seniors who did it last year graduated, so I offered to do it. But they don't let students come up as early anymore cuz of some past incidents."

"Oh. But you were almost late on the first day."

"My," groaning, "partner offered to take care of it that time. What's your excuse?"

Her explanation left him with a calm, rational response.

"Are you serious? You could get our whole grade in trouble!"

The door knob turned, leading Camila to cover his mouth, pulling them closer. The footsteps caused them both to shudder in anticipation.

"Hello?"

Royal's voice caused them relief.