Between the Lines

The Lunatic Who Forgot Her Shoes

"Mom!" Mia screamed, trying to grab at  her mother's hand as she fell off the side of the bridge, having leaned out to far, observing the storm clouds. The woman grips at Mia's hand furiously, tryings to hold on, but our hands have become to slippery from the rain and she lost her grip, plummiting into the water, "No!

I jump, sitting upright in my bed and gazing around realizing that I'm still in my room at Aunt Phillis's house. It was only a dream.....

I run my fingers through my hair, trying to calm myself. You'd think by now it'd be easy to recover from these dreams, as long as I had had them.
Realizing after a few moments that it was a school day, I felt around for my phone in a panic, needing to find it to check the time. I finally locate it buried underneath my pillows & see that it is already 7:45! I jumped out of bed quickly, lunging for my closet door & swinging it open. I grab a pair of jeans and a black V- neck tee, trying to put them on while running to the bathroom. Once there, somehow having managed to get my clothes on ptopperly, I brush my teeth in record time & not bothering with combing my hair, merely throw up & into a messy bun.

Now ready, I grab my phone and checked the time again. It read 7:55, I only had 5 minutes! Throwing my bedroom door open & running down the stairs & out the door, having grabbed my book bag & journal during the run & nearly falling sevetral times through our it, I made it to my car & pulled out onto the road. I drove as fast as the speed limit would allow & arrived at school. Glancing up at the large clock on the outside if the building, I saw that I had mere seconds before I'd be marked tardy.

Now, to most, this wouldn't be a huge deal, but this wasn't the first time this had happened, and my homeroom teacher Mr. Archett said the last time, that if it happened again I would be sent to the principal's office and, "disciplinary action would be taken". While I wasn't entirely sure what that meant for me, I had a feeling it would involve detention, and I didn't want to spend more time in this Hell hole then was absolutely necessary. With this in mind, I charged through the front door and down the hall.

I passed my locker up entirely, deciding that getting my books wasn't the priority. I finally made it to the right classroom & swung the door open, half yelling, "I'm here!"

Every pair of eyes turned to me at once, including Mr. Archett's, who, taking in my appearance, gave me a disapproving look. "Yes, Miss Hughes, I see that you are here...", he said, putting an emphasis on "you" that confused me at first, but I soon understood as he continued, "..but your shoes regrettably, are not."

His comment earned several snickers from the class, as I glanced down at my shoeless feet against the tile floor. The laughter only increased as he handed me a slip, instructing me to go to the principal's office. I sighed out of both defeat & frustration, and took it as I headed back out the door
I walked slowly down the hall, wishing I had just stayed in bed.

***

I arrived at Principal Ganzalas's office & after knocking, walked in & took a seat, as I handed her the slip of paper that Mr. Archett had given me.
She quickly read it, then placed it back on the table, "Mia, would you care to explain why you came to school without shoes?" Shee asked, as if I had done it purposefully. To which I rolled my eyes. She responded with a stern glare & was about to speak before I stopped her.