Compilation of Short Stories

"Repetition, Repetition"

AN: So, here I am, on a Monday- actually updating! Go me, right? Okay, anyways, I wanted to add more character description to this one, but I couldn't really find any good spots to insert that (without deleting anything I already had). If I ever decide to do like a thorough edit, adding more character details and whittling down the number of complex sentences will be the main focus haha. Hope you guys enjoy! (oh, and, in case you couldn't tell, the focus is on dialogue,so any feedback specifically pertaining to that would be lovely!)

"Hannah Castroni, to the counselor's office, please, Hannah Castroni to the counselor's office."

I grudgingly look up from my work, and make eye contact with my science teacher. She gives me a single nod- the nod of approval- that means I can obey the announcement's instructions without receiving detention. Harboring a sigh, I pick up my binder and begin to pack things into my gray leather bag. As I swing the worn strap over my shoulder, I shove my phone into my back pocket and make my way to the front office, ignoring the pointed stares that follow me out of the classroom.

The office is only down the hallway, so the walk is brisk, something I'm thankful for; that means less time spent in the cold, and less time panicking about the the subject I know the meeting with the counselor is going to revolve around.

As I open the blue office doors decorated with the school's insignia, I'm assaulted by the harsh fluorescent lights and a sudden burst of warm air that almost makes me lose my balance. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust, and, once they do, I pick up my pace; I want to get this over with as quickly as possible. I knock rapidly on Ms. Gayle's door and hear a faint Come in!, so I swiftly push the protesting door open, wincing at the awful creaks it emits.

I'm barely over the threshold when her voice calls, "I presume you are aware of why you were requested to come to my office?" She is met with silence, and takes this an opportunity to gesture to the only unoccupied chair in the cramped room. I sink down slowly, and, apparently realizing I'm not going to respond, continues her accusations, "You are currently failing three of your classes, and there is a week of the school year left." At this, she pauses to send me a disapproving glare.

I sighed- I had been getting that look from seemingly everyone lately, "I know, Ms. Gayle."

Apparently she wasn't done, "This means, Hannah, that you are not on track to graduate."

"Wait, what are you talking about?" I explode, flying out of my chair in disbelief.

"You need these three credits to graduate," she explains calmly, as if answering a small child. How dare she! This is my diploma on the line!

"But- but -but these were extra classes!" I manage to sputter out.

"I am truly sorry, Ms. Castroni, but this is what you've been warned about since freshman year. Although these specific classes are not required, that does not make them extra- you still need the credits to count as electives."

"That's not fair! I worked my butt off for fourteen years for this!"

"I understand your frustration, Hannah, but that's just how the system works-"

"The system is stupid!"

She doesn't even appear to be surprised by my outburst, "-and since you will not be graduating, you need to retake your senior year."

"No!" I plop down in the seat, suddenly exhausted from protesting, "No, no, no, no, no, no. I'm not suffering through another insane year; no way." I begin to desperately bargain with her, "I won't go summer shopping- I, I won't fail any more classes, if you just let me retake them at the community college- I, I won't-"

I'm cut off by Ms. Gayle's phone ringing. She holds up an irritated finger, and, clearly done with our conversation, answers the phone in a sickly sweet voice, "Hello, this is Linda Gayle, how may I help you?"

While she has the audacity to jabber away, as if she didn't just throw someone's world into turmoil, I mull over the terrible news.

What am I going to do?

One thing is for sure; I am not repeating my senior year.