All Summer in a Day- Paula's PoV

“Come in.”

Nervously, I slid open the door and stepped inside. Even though I was not at fault for anything, the principal himself is a very intimidating person- being in the same room as him can be overwhelming.

“Good afternoon Paula,” Mr Hurricane’s voice echoed through the dull, metallic office. “Please, take a seat.”

“Good afternoon sir,” I replied with a polite nod as I sat down on the plastic chair propped in the centre of the room. This felt more like an interrogation than a trip to the principal’s office.

“Well then, shall we begin? Please explain what happened to Margot, and how she ended up locked in that cupboard.”

I cleared my throat. “From what I’ve heard sir, it was William who locked up Margot.”

“From what you’ve heard?” Mr Hurricane repeated, with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes sir. I was not there at the time of the incident. I only realised that Margot was missing after the sun disappeared and we went back inside.”

“So you were not a part of this incident?”

“No!” I exclaimed, jumping up from my chair. “I would never!”

Realising I may have overreacted; I slowly sank back down into my chair. There was a silence as Mr Hurricane took everything in. There wasn’t a sound, except for the pitter- patter of the rain outside. Even though I was used to it, I wished the sun would come out more often-more so now, since I have experienced it for the first time while knowing it. I remember always imagining what living in Margot’s world would be like. There was a satisfying warmth and joy that came with the light- warmth and joy that was ripped from us much too fast, like the weather was just toying with us.

Mr Hurricane snapped my out of my thoughts. “Very well Paula, I believe your side of the story. You may leave now.”

“Thank you sir.” I started towards the door, but then Mr Hurricane stopped me again. “Paula?”

“Yes sir?”

“Please bring William to me.” With a small nod, I left the office and sighed. William did do something terrible, but in the end, he had felt really bad. I don’t think he should get too much punishment for what he did. I mean, Margot forgave him didn’t she?

I stopped at the end of the hallway and went into another room. Slowly, turning on the sun lamps, I stood beneath it and tried to reclaim the satisfaction I had once felt.