Retribution

Chapter Three

Almost all of my coworkers told me that they had missed me. I had hoped that not a single person mentioned the whole White House fiasco. Unfortunately, the German teacher that liked to flirt with me, Eric Fuerer, asked me how it was like to be held hostage. This made me highly uncomfortable and I refused to answer. We were on the same floor, the second floor, but our rooms were about three doors away from each other. Between classes, he kept pushing me about it and I would always beat around the bush so that the students wouldn't know about it. But of course they would know about it. It was on national television. . .

Unlike Mr. Fuerer who liked to make me feel insecure about myself, my closest coworkers, Reanna Gibson and Skylar Landers told me what I had missed while I was away in DC. They told me obvious things like Sadie Hawkins and prom, but they also told me about a lockdown that wasn't a drill. It sparked my interest and I questioned them about it.

"It was scary," Reanna said fearfully, "some drunk man had a gun in his hand and he was wandering around the school menacingly, slurring all kinds of profanity."

"He also was repeating a name," Skylar chimed in. "I couldn't make out the words he was gibbering so badly."

"Did you know what he looked like?" I inquired further.

"We couldn't get out of the classroom, so not really," Reanna replied.

"The Biology lab is the only other room with a window, but it was reported that he wasn't on that floor," Skylar informed. The Biology lab was on the third floor.

Before I could ask any more questions about the strange man, the bell rang. Reanna was the Drama teacher and stage director, and Skylar was the Ancient World History teacher. I was the English 11 teacher. Our rooms were a couple doors away from each other, so we had time to chatter and gossip. It was my first day back, but it was the third hour class already. Time sure does fly.

"Mrs. N.!" a black kid named Carlton exclaimed amongst the murmuring crowd. It was amazing how I remembered his name.

"Hi Carlton," I responded politely.

I scanned the crowd and counted the number of heads in the classroom. That was how I usually took attendance instead of role call. Since it was my first day back and there were many students I haven't had before, I had to do role call since it was much easier. In the crowd, I found Reyna. Most of the students I recognized, but there was one young girl I haven't seen yet who sat next to Reyna. She looked busy in what looked like a sketchbook.

"Hello everyone," I greeted abruptly, seeing the girl occupied, "my name is Mrs. Noble for those of you who don't know me or are new here." I needed to move on with the class since I was five minutes late anyway. The girl perked her head up as if my name was familiar. I had finally gotten her attention.

"I'm taking attendance so please say 'Here' or wave your hand if your name is called. Or you can do both. It's up to you."

I rolled down the list of names in alphabetical order, even calling Reyna's name, even though I knew she was there. I had later realized that there was a name at the bottom of the list.

"Is there a...Vanessa Grant in the class?" Although the list was in alphabetical order, hers was dead last.

The dark brown-haired girl with the sketchbook raised her hand feebly. I couldn't help but ask.

"Last-minute enrollment I see?"

She nodded. I wondered if that girl ever had a voice or not. "I get those a lot. Don't worry about it."

I proceeded on with the class. The whole time Vanessa didn't participate, but she looked like she was taking notes. Reyna and an Asian kid named Jeremy could have won the award for Most Active in Class. I'm pretty sure the seniors had a mock election award for that or something.