Constillations of us

Donna

*intercom buzz*

''Could Miss Donna Waver, and Lucky Andrews please report to the Principals Office."

Crap, I've definitely done it this time.

Spray painting the statue of the school's first track champion, Rodney Dowers, who's currently a convicted rapist, is not exactly gonna get you a gold star. Principal Saxon is clearly going to be suspicious of me, considering I left my signature Key West lighter somewhere near the grotesque figurine. Would it be a stretch if he were to accuse me on such ludicrous grounds? Probably. I'm not exactly an exemplary student, and my grades are lack luster. Protesting, street art and vandalism of public property are kinda more my thing.

If I was heading into the belly of the beast, I was a going to need a convincing alibi. I stand up from my seat and glance in the direction of my best friend, Kira Virani. I had previously told her the night before that in case I got called in, to cover for me. She subtly nods her head and a wave of relief rushes over me.

I begin to strut down the empty hallways of South Valley Prep. I can feel my heart skip a few beats, and my chest tightens up. I'm used to getting in trouble, but this is by far the most incriminating thing I've done. If my mother found out I'd land in some pretty hot water. She was already considering shipping me off to boarding school.

My estranged father had left us a few years back. It tore my mother to pieces when he said that she would never see him again, and that I wouldn't either. The last few words that he spoke to me before he departed keep ringing in my mind. ''Don't fuck everything up like I did.''

The sad thing is that I already have fucked everything up, partially at least. The closer I got to Principal Saxon's office, the more the feeling of angst grew inside me. I could hear Lucky's reluctant footsteps pacing behind me. He was used to getting in trouble. He was cursed with the misfortune of being one of the only African Americans in the school. He was a good student, mostly getting B plusses and up. He didn't come from a particularly bad household. His parents were good people and his mother had a stable job.

It was years of internalized racism that left a mark on S.V.P. Back in 2002 South Valley Prep was on the edge of Bankruptcy, following accusations made by parents whose kids went to the infamous high school. These kids were being supposedly being "singled out" due to their race. They were excluded during certain group activities and their things were often stolen. No wonder Michigan is known as one of the most racist states in America. Our school's history still lives within these walls, whether the faculty likes to admit or not.

As we approached the bench in front of Principles Saxon's office, I could feel my insides start to churn. One more screw up and I'll probably be sleeping on park benches by next week.

After waiting in agonizing silence for about half an hour, I hear the door handle begin to turn.

"Ah. Miss Waver and Mister Andrews, so lovely to see you both again," He spitefully spits out. I can see the burning look of disappointment festering in his eyes. "Do come in."

Lucky and I stand up from the bench and follow Principle Saxon into his office with reluctance. We both sit down in the two chairs positioned in front of his desk. I clear my throat and nonchalantly cross my legs, staring into Principle Saxon eyes. Lucky  fiddles with the pen in his right hand, directing his attention towards it, not Principle Saxon.

"What's this about, Principle Saxon?" I say with confidence, trying to make myself seem oblivious.

He tilts his head a bit to the right, letting out a soft chuckle. "In case you haven't already noticed Miss Waver, our school's pride and joy, the statue of the lovely Rodney Dowers, was viciously vandalized."

I act surprised, opening my eyes widely and I gasp.
"A truly tragic event," I say with disbelief. Lucky  looks genuinely shocked, it's clear he's innocent.

Lucky Is upper middle class, just like me. Meaning we're the scapegoats of the school. Everyone else that goes to S.V.P. is either a kid of some corrupt politician, or a filthy rich businessman. Rich parents make sure their kids don't get in trouble. They'll go to unimaginable lengths to make sure everything stays hush, hush. That's private school for you. But there's gotta be someone to blame, so it's usually us. Except this time I am guilty.

"If you're insinuating that I was somehow involved in this horrible crime, you're wrong," I say.

"Do you by any chance have an alibi that can second that statement?" Principal Saxon says. He's clearly suspicious, but not too suspicious.

" I do. You can ask my friend, Kira Virani." I was hoping his expression would change, that he'd relax his shoulders and stop clenching his jaw. But no, he still maintains his composure.

" And what about you, Lucky. Do you have an alibi?" asks Principal Saxon. He's calm now but soon he'll move on to badgering.

Lucky stops fidgeting with his pen and looks up at Principle Saxon. "Yes sir, I was with my gramma all day yesterday. I'd never vandalize school property."

"So you're saying you'd vandalize property outside of school grounds?" Says the principal. Here comes the badgering.

"N-no! Principal Saxon, I wouldn't. I would never. I promise!" Lucky exclaims. He clearly doesn't react well to these types of situations and Saxon can tell.

"I'd hate to see a talented individual like yourself lose their chance at a scholarship just because of an incident like this." While the words leave Saxon's mouth, Lucky's composure begins to crumble. Principal Saxon is getting to him.

"Listen Brian, let the kid go. It's clear he hasn't done anything," I say, calling him by his first name. He looks at me in disbelief.

"Excuse me Miss Waver? You will address me as PRINCIPAL Saxon, and PRINCIPAL Saxon only! I will not tolerate this type of behavior, especially from you!" he blurts our angrily. What's that supposed to mean? I think to myself. "That's one week of detention for you young lady! Actually, you know what? Let's make it two."

I'm so cross right now I could kick him in the nuts. Even though standing up to him felt good, I know I messed up big time. He's an imbecilic asshole who's top priority in life is bringing misery to those who defy him, and I hate it.

"Fine," I say with sheer anger in my voice. Principal Saxon smirks cockily. Clearly this is the most action he's gotten in a while.

"I don't wanna keep you two from class too long, so head on out. Mr. Andrews, I'd hope to see you back in my office after school. I still have a few more questions for you.'' Lucky nods with reluctance and stands up from the screeching chair. I expect Principal Saxon to stop me as I do the same, considering I left behind evidence. But he says nothing, he just stares. I'm surprised they haven't found my lighter. This is good news.

Lucky and I exit Saxon's office, both exhaling as soon as the door closes. As we pass the admissions office, I see an unfamiliar face through the blinds. It belongs to an extremely tall boy, a bit scrawny but not without muscle. From what I can see his hair is a light brown, with streaks of blonde through it. He looks in my direction and our gazes meet. His eyes are sunken in and he looks like he hasn't slept in days. He doesn't look rich, he's middle class or lower probably. Those types of kids are rare here. I feel bad for him, he's different and that'll be his weakness. Guess he'll be joining us in hell.

I get back to class and wait for bell to ring, hoping I can get to my lighter before anyone else does.

Well that's chapter one, hope it wasn't too crappy. If you're reading this you're a real one, thanks.