𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗼 Shorts

♔ BSK - D x OC - 2

The next day, Teacher wasn't in when I got into school - neither were the others, except Cuthbert.

"Teacher is never late," Cuthbert explained. "That lot must have done something horrid to him."

"Wouldn't surprise me," I sighed.

"Well, I'm going to do some maths while I wait."

Cuthbert got an exercise book out and started to write furiously. I watched but quickly got bored, so I took out a book and started to read.

An hour later, the rest of the students walked in looking worse for wear. They trailed in leaves and mud as they slumped into their chairs, followed by Teacher, who was giving them a lecture on why they should be on time for school.

"But Teach, Bosh Street challenged us to a game, and-"

"Silence, Plug!" Teacher shouted. He massaged his temples and caught sight of me with a book on my desk, seeming to have a brainwave. "Okay, reading time! Get your books out and be quiet. I'll be coming round to check your books."

There was a collective groan, and I bent my head low over my book, eager to escape into a world where I didn't have 26 days before I got back to proper school. Roll on July.

"Fatty, I appreciate your dieting enthusiasm, but you can't read a diet cookbook in class," Teacher sighed.

"But I haven't anything else to read!"

"I'll get you something in a minute." Teacher moved on to Smiffy. "What's that, Smiffy?"

Smiffy tilted the cover so Teacher could see, and Teacher facepalmed. "Daft pupil. You're reading a telephone book!" He looked up the row. "Sidney, that book is upside down! Spotty, I can see that phone behind that book! What's the matter with you lot? Don't you use the school library?"

"Lib-lub-ly?" Plug asked, pulling a face.

"I sometimes use the lavatory," Smiffy said.

Teacher sighed. "No. Class, follow me."

I assumed that meant me as well, so I tagged along at the back after Wilfred.

"This is the school library," Teacher explained, stopping at a door.

"I though it was a book cupboard," Sidney commented.

Teacher opened it up to reveal a cupboard with a few old leather bound books propped up in one corner.

"They're ancient!" Danny said. "And mouldy! You can't expect us to read those!"

"Hmm. I'm sure we had more than four..?" Teacher said to himself. "Never mind. I'll pop over to Posh Street School and loan some modern classics for you all to read. Please go back to your desks. Behave while I'm gone."

"Sure, Teach!"

Teacher left us in the corridor and the Bash Street kids turned to go back to class, therefore turning to face me.

Danny was the first to speak. "Blast. I forgot you were here, uhh..."

"It's Erica..." I filled in. I turned away and started to walk quickly back to class, feeling ever so slightly sorry for myself.

"Hey, wait up!" Danny exclaimed. I heard heavy, fast footsteps, and he caught up just before I got into the classroom. "Look, I'm sorry I forgot your name," he explained. "You haven't really said much since you got here, so..."

"It's fine," I said. I gave him a small smile. "You're the first to bother to apologise."

His expression hardened. "Wait, you get that a lot?"