The Brown Slime

Recycling

Jenny bolted up out of her seat as soon as Miss Thomas said she could go—almost knocking her desk over in her eagerness to get out of the room. 

Our exasperated teacher shook her head and sighed sadly as she watched the slime-splattered girl scramble out of the room, a trail of brown drips and drops marking her path to the door.

The class went on like normal for a few more minutes as Miss Thomas wrapped up the lesson, explaining what homework she was assigning. Once that was done, we began gathering our books and things, chatting quietly amongst ourselves before the sound of the bell sent us out the door toward our next classes.

As I walked down the busy hallway, I spotted Jenny standing next to her locker sporting a different outfit. Bright green track pants and an orange T-shirt with her wet hair hanging limply over her shoulders, and her cheeks were still red.

"Hey, Jenny," I said to her as I approached. "I'm really sorry about what just happened. Are you alright?"

Jenny nodded slowly, still looking very embarrassed. "Yeah," she mumbled, averting her gaze while fidgeting nervously with her fingers. "Thanks."

"Who knew they were watching us like that, huh?"

"I know! I mean, I should have figured they would be, but still... Ugh! Why did I even bother putting on nice clothes this morning?"

I tried to offer a sympathetic smile. "You look good in everything."

Jenny smiled back at me weakly. "Thanks. But yeah, it really sucks that I got brown crowned. I hate the way it smells. And it was so hard to wash out of my hair!"

"I see you had to undo your braid," I nodded at the loose, frizzy strands now dangling wetly behind her back.

"Yeah. What a nightmare. It took forever untying that, washing it and brushing it all out. And it still feels all oily and gross."

"I know just what you mean. My hair is still kinda smelly from when I got my brown crown. I'm not sure how long it'll take to wash out all the way."

Jenny grimaced and wrinkled her nose. "I hope it goes away soon. The smell is just awful!"

"Me too. I'm hoping for a miracle," I shrugged.

"Oh well," Jenny sighed before closing her locker door and starting to walk away. "I gotta get to class. See ya later, Galena!"

"See ya, Jenny!"

As I continued down the hall toward my next class, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor girl. Even though she had done something that was against school rules, it didn't make her punishment seem any less severe in my eyes. 

It was just one example of the cruel consequences that could result from the slightest infraction, and it seemed that everyone was starting to realize this.

I couldn't help but wonder, would we all eventually come to accept these new norms for school life?

Would the students four years down the road think of the brown slime in the same way we did about the old-style detentions and suspensions that were the norm just a few days ago?

It certainly seemed likely enough...

* * *

When I entered Mr. Cooper's Environmental Science class, I spotted my friends. Melissa, Andrea and Michelle were all sitting together near the back of the room. They waved as I came over to join them, all smiling happily as I took a seat next to Melissa.

"Hey, girls," I greeted them while placing my backpack on the floor by my feet and taking out my notebook.

"Hey, Galena!" They all replied in unison before giggling amongst themselves at their coordination.