"Welcome to English, everyone!" exclaims a woman who is most likely the English teacher. "My name is Mrs Nightcast."
Mrs Nightcast? I've heard that name somewhere before...
"Today, since it's the first day of your junior year, we're going to do something a little less taxing than our usual busy syllabus. Fanfiction!"
Everyone cheers, thinking they're going to get to write stories about their favourite teachers and anime.
"I'll be reading you something from my own collection," says Mrs Nightcast. The room falls silent in utter disappointment.
"It's called Once Upon a Girl. I hope you enjoy it."
Wait a second...
"Hey everybody!" the woman says enthusiastically in her best teaching voice. "My name is Sunita and I'm 16 years old. Welcome to my world."
I raise my hand. Mrs Nightcast ignores me.
"I'm not your typical teenage girl. I used to live with my mother and sisters in Bangladesh..."
The story goes on, and at first I just think the teacher is being ridiculous. However, by chapter seven, I look around to notice that we're not in Kansas anymore. The other students are gone, and I am left in a cosmic void alone with the crazy teacher.
Hang on... I'm starting to remember why I know her name... the memories are trickling back.
"'I'll be reading you something from my own collection,' says Mrs Nightcast," says Mrs Nightcast. "The room falls silent in utter disappointment."
I have to stop her.
"You!" I screech as she catches up with the story. "The high witch of the dark forest! I thought you perished long ago..."
The evil woman smiles. "'You!' I screech as she catches up with the story," Mrs Nightcast reads aloud. "'The high witch of the dark forest! I thought you perished long ago...'" she continues. "Whatever do you mean, Sunita?"
I scowl. "The leader of the evil forest clan, I knew I heard your name somewhere before. You won't put your curses on this school for any longer! Special enemy, Sunita, here to defeat YOU!"
Mrs Nightcast simply laughs. "Oh, you foolish girl. You'll never defeat me!" She cackles as we are magically returned to the classroom, along with the other students.
She smiles from the front of the room. "That concludes today's lesson! See you tomorrow."
The other students file out the door. I think about challenging the teacher again, but she gives me a knowing look and I leave in silence along with the others.
I will defeat her.
YOU ARE READING
Once Upon a Girl
Short StoryShe was just a small town girl... After randomly finding herself displaced from her normal life and into a midwestern family, Sunita is trying to adjust to a brand new high school. Can she survive the dramas of teenage life? Note: this book is a par...
