Between the Parallel lines

Disaster is my Best Friend

It was a cold winter day and it got colder with each step to school. It took everything inside of me to not let my teeth chatter as I pressed on and my hands balled into fists, shoved in my pockets to keep warm. I let out a deep and slow sigh and my breath in the cold air mimicked a cigarette smoker's drag.

When I walked  into the school, it was like any other normal day; Being completely ignored and heading straight to class. The same white walls, green lockers, and tan floors. Day in and day out, eight hours a day, five days a week, for at least two more years unless all the extra work I've been putting in let's me jump grades. Disaster trotted happily next to my feet, his blue tongue poking out of his mouth between two razor sharp fangs, but I didn't dare look at him. I don't want to draw any more attention to myself than I already do.

I walked into the cleaner product scented classroom and saw the history teacher, Mr. Rubenstein, scrambling to finish yesterday's worksheets. I sat down in my desk two rows from the teacher's desk and pulled out my homework.

As people started pouring in, the teacher looked increasingly worried. When he was done on the desk, he adjusted the crooked glasses on his nose and stood up to write on the board: January 17th, 2017. He started writing what we needed to do for the day and what we needed like back in elementary school. I don't blame him for doing all that extra stuff since he actually was an elementary teacher last year. He has trouble adjusting.

The bell rang and everyone was finally in their seats. I looked down at Disaster and he was wagging his slimy tail like some sort of creepy alien dog. Mr. Rubenstein dragged on and in faith of my many ancestors before me, I zoned out and doodled in my journal.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ms. Lake."

"..."

"Ms. Lake."

"..."

"MS. LAKE!"

I looked up from my doodles and saw a furious Mr. Rubenstein looking at me. "Yeah?" I asked unamuzed.

"If you didn't hear, whether the purpose being that of hearing loss or the improbable possibility that you weren't paying attention, the principal just called you to the office."

I heard several whispers go around the room. "I wonder if the doctor came by to take her to the Asylum." "You think they're gonna put her in a straight jacket?" "Maybe she'll spend the rest of her life in the white room." "As long as she doesn't come back I'm fine with it."

I threw my backpack over my shoulder and left the classroom.

"Wait!" Mr. Rubenstein called after me. "You can leave your bag Ms. Lake! You might be coming back!"

"Believe me," I said without turning around. "I'm not coming back."

~~~~~~~~~~

I made my way to the principal's office and looked down at Disaster. "You're unusually chipper this morning." He looked up at me with his one snail-like eye and made a sound that seemed like a mix of a seagull squak and a dog bark.

Rounding the corner, I saw a girl talking to the principle. She looked this way and smiled at me. The principal followed her gaze and saw me walking towards them. I looked at the girl carefully for a moment. She had brown hair that was tied back and just barely reached her shoulders with light brown eyes. The girl wore an expensive looking jacket with black tights and matching expensive looking boots.

"Jessica!" I cringed internally when he said my name.

"Please Mr. Dilsik, just Jay."

"Ok then... Jay. Can you please give a tour of the school to our newest student, August Roan."

I sighed. "Why do I have to do it? I think the schizo shouldn't freak out the newbie on the first day."

"Believe me, Jessica, I would rather ask anyone else. But you're the only one who's so far ahead in classes you can skip an entire month of school and still be ahead. Now please give her a tour."

I grumbled as he went back into his office and shut the door. Looking back at the girl, she was forcing a smile.

I sighed again, "Ready?"

"Whenever you are, Jay," she said.

As I walked away, with Autumn next to me, I felt Disaster jump onto my bag and curled around my neck. He felt like a gust of cold wind on my skin and I shivered.

"Are you cold?" She asked. I couldn't tell if she was being genuine or not.

"No, I'm fine."

We walked on in the cold hallways and I talked lazily of the school.