Dabbling in Danger

Surprise!

Here I sit in my favorite chair in all of Principal Jones' office. It's the seat with the most padding, there's also a bar between the front two legs, I can hang the heels of my shoes on. I appreciate the littlest of things.

Mr. Jones, however, isn't appreciating my presence right now. Apparently clogging all the public toilets and the locker room toilets isn't funny. It's especially frowned upon when the pipes burst and the floors are covered in shit water. I guess I'm the only one who thought it was a gut buster. I suppose I'm also the only one getting the heat for it too. I don't care. I'm no snitch, it was my idea anyway so I'll gladly reap all the benefits of a semi-permanent vacation until some other school is forced to take me.

Mr. Jones clears his throat, grabbing my attention once again. I sit up in the chair and look at him with his arms folded and a hard look of disappointment on his face, I unsuccessfully hide a smile from my lips.

Mr. Jones scoffs, "Malina, I'm very disappointed in you. I truly thought you were coming around, that we were getting you on the right track. You're grades were definitely improving this past quarter. What happened?"

I shrug and pop my gum, "I get bored."

He looks at my dumbfounded, I can see the rage boiling in his irises and a bubble of laughter is about to burst out when a knock sounds on the opposite side of the door. Mr. Jones sighs heavily, turns his attention to the door and announces that the person on the other side, may come in.

The door creaks open and Mrs. Crick pokes her head in, before she speaks she pushes her bifocals up her nose, I think that's a nervous tick of hers.

"Mr. Jones, sorry to interrupt..." (Pushes glasses up) "There's a Mrs. Hutchinson here to see you."

My eyebrows scrunch together, who the hell is Mrs. Hutchinson?

Mr. Jones seems pleased with the confused expression upon my face, it seems for once he feels he has the upperhand. He extends an arm out to the door and with a relieved smile, nods, "please, please come on in!"

I look back at the door again, Mrs. Crick pushes the door open wider and in steps stiletto heels with golden painted toe nails. My eyes follow up the dark woman's legs that are wrapped tight in knee length white capris, complimented by a fire red blouse which is all too revealing. The woman's hair is braided back in neat, large plaits that rest on her shoulder.

I finally get a good look at the primped, softly made up woman when she turns to me. I am instantly livid.

I jump from my chair and point an accusing finger at Mr. Jones.

"What the fuck is she doing here!?"

Mr. Jones' smile quickly fades and is replaced with a look of disapproval.

"Now, Malina I know you haven't completely lost your mind!" He speaks with bass in his throat. "I will not tolerate such language."

"You're already expelling me, what more can you do!?" I yell.

Mr. Jones pinches the bridge of his nose, releases another stress induced sigh and extends a hand for Tiana, to shake.

Tiana clasps hands with the man, Mr. Jones lets out a boisterous laugh.

"Great to meet you Mrs. Hutchinson, I'm Mr. Jones."

Tiana pulls her pink painted lips into a smile. "Call me Tiana, nice to meet you."

I huff and sit back in my chair with a pout. Whenever she's around I feel significantly lower, I may as well be seven years old again.

Tiana bats her long fake eyelashes at me, her floral acrylics tap together when she waves.

"Hey boop!" She exclaims pulling me into half a hug, I just sit there annoyed. She rolls her eyes and sits in the deflated chair next to me. "Don't act like that."

Tiana places her Coach bag on her lap and crosses her ankles directing her attention back to my principal. Mrs. Crick sees herself out, Mr. Jones finally has a seat.

"I'm so glad you could be here Tiana, as I wish it were under better circumstances, but you know..." He looks between Tiana and I and clasps his hands together, "it is what it is."

Tiana chuckles once, I don't pay Mr. Jones any mind as I'm too busy studying my sister. When did she get married? And an even better question, who the hell did she get married to because I know she isnt working. That diamond on her hand shimmers with every little movement she makes.

I'm snapped back into the room when I hear Mr. Jones say, "we dont want her getting lost in the system or sent across the state because shes a very bright girl. We don't want that potential squandered. We thought it'd be best to contact a family member before contacting social services once again.

Tiana looks confused, purses her lips and starts swaying her hand as she speaks.

"So... Malina gets expelled, but instead of not expelling her yooou somehow contact me annnnd what, you want me to take her in?"

She's being her good ol' condescending self as always.

"Yall did all that out of the kindness of your hearts? How about you just not expel the girl?"

Mr. Jones is take aback, "I- I uh... Malina has caused serious plumbing damage, you all are lucky we aren't charging you for the expenses!"

Mr. Jones is getting upset, he's realizing the two of us aren't very different from each other. Maybe that's why I hate her so much.

Tiana scoffs and stands from her chair, "come on Malina damn!"

I stay seated, "I'm not going with you," I say.

Tiana hikes a hand on her hip, Mr. Jones interjects.

"Malina, we can't have you on the premises any longer. We've contacted several schools on your behalf and F.R Washington is willing to accept you. Mister and Mrs. Vaulf do not have the means to get you to and from school any longer."

"I'd rather be on the run than live her or those God awful fosters again!" I yell.

Mr. Jones rises from his seat and folds his arms, "if we have any suspicion that you have run off, we will call the police and your case worker. She's already been lenient enough."

They've got me cornered... Figuratively. I'm so pissed, how can they just uproot me without my say so!?

I know once I walk off property Mr. Jones has no authority over me, but he's weird like that, I feel like he'd still call the the authorities if Tiana mentioned my disappearance, not that she'd care.

I groan and kick the chair after I stand sending it flying into the wall.

"This is fucked up!"

Mr. Jones gets stern, "you watch your mouth I said!" He wags a finger at me.

Tiana laughs once, unbothered by the scene before her and swings the door open already on her way out.

"Malina!" Tiana calls out.

I turn to stalk out of the room but before I do I look at Mr. Jones again, my hand on the door knob.

He paints a wide tooth smile and waves like he has 'jazz hands'.

"Surprise!" He says.

"Thanks for nothing!" I slam the door shut and hurry after my unstable sister.