The Cheez-it Hero

“I’m so done with this school, Steven.” Lana informed me as she slammed her locker door closed. She had been telling me this for the past year. We both agreed that it wasn’t the school’s fault, it was the other kids. She had been bullied for the past year. Every time something happened the other students wouldn’t admit what they saw. Everyone was too scared of the school bully, Jemma Hurtig.

    “I know, Lana. We have been talking about this for a long time now. We can’t do anything about it” I empathized. “We just have to stick it out. Maybe one day she’ll finally get suspended.”

“At least we have another class before we have to see Jemma at lunch.”

“Yeah. But we still have to have lunch with her.”

We walked down the hall to our period ¾ class. We had known each other since first grade. Nobody had ever gotten as worked up every day as much as Jemma. She couldn’t stand to come to school. Sometimes I had to personally go in and physically drag her out of bed. Her mom didn’t want to deal with her every morning. Putting her on the bus didn’t help. It only made her worse. My mom had to start driving her to school with us.

“At least this class will distract me enough that I won’t be thinking about Jemma. Until the bell rings, that is.”

We walked in silence the rest of the way to math. I was lost, as usual, five minutes in. I don’t understand how I can possibly be getting an A. The teacher gave us time to work in groups. Me and Lana immediately moved our desks together when a newer girl came over and asked Lana for help. She looked at me.

“It’s fine, Lana. I can work alone.” She mouthed a sorry as she turned to look at the other girl. I looked at the clock wondering just how long I would have to pretend to work. I was calculating if I would be able to take a nap, when Lana poked me with her pencil.

“Steven.” She whispered. I looked at her and mouthed, what.

“I’m scared about what will happen after lunch” she admitted.

“You’ll be fine. I won’t let her beat you up” I smiled.

When her partner got back she turned around moaning.

The bell rang a couple minutes later, signalling lunch time. as we got up from our seats, I saw Lana waiting outside the door. When I walked out the door, Lana fell in step with me.

“I think I’m gonna ditch lunch” Lana blurted out. She looked at me, waiting for my reaction. I didn’t know what to say.

Finally I said, “I don’t think you should. Because one, your table will miss you and two, nothing will happen. If something does happen I’ll tell the principal myself. I don’t care what Jemma does to me.”

“Fine” Lana mumbled as she closed her locker. “Just don’t do anything that will get you hurt.”

When we got to lunch Lana immediately started laughing with her friends. I was glad I had made her come to lunch. She always dreads coming and then loves it when she gets there.

“And then...and then he fell down the hill.” Lana’s one friend, Ruby, laughed. Our whole table erupted in laughter. I chuckled to myself, knowing this was about the hundredth time we had laughed at the situation in a week. But then, in the middle of having fun and insisting on sharing the story “just one more time”, trouble arrived.

“Hey genius! Why don’t you and your friends be a bit quieter. It’s only the thousandth  time you’ve talked about it this week”, Jemma snickered as her and her friends walked by. “Oh and by the way, you look really ugly today. Just thought you should know.”

At that point, Lana got up and stormed out to the bathroom. I called after her but apparently she didn’t hear me. Or just chose not too. The lunch monitor ran after her trying to calm her down. I knew that wouldn’t work out very wheel.

In my fit of rage I did the only thing I could think to do. I picked up my Cheez-it bag, grabbed a handful, and while Jemma was still stopped laughing, threw them at her face. She stopped laughing immediately. She looked at me with a look of mock horror.

“That was so rude,” she told me, visibly trying to hold back her laughter. “I think I might just go tell the principal.” And with that, a small smirk, and a hair flip she was off.

Next period, an announcement come over the speakers that “Lana Giovanelli and Steven Castoro need to report to the office.” When I got there Lana was outside. I took a deep breath and went in first, Lana following closely behind. We were sent straight to the Principal Solman’s office where he was waiting to see us.

“Welcome. I have been informed about an incident involving Cheez-its in the cafeteria. You may not know but after you threw them, everyone started to. I think you just need to simmer down now. Lana, I understand you had no part in this other than being the victim. One of Jemma’s friends that came down with her told what Jemma did. We will be talking to Jemma and giving her the proper punishment. As for you, Mr. Castoro, You will have detention with me every day for one week. Starting tomorrow.” After he wrote us a note Mr. Solman added a “Have a good day.”

The rest of our days went as they usually do. We got to each class on time and nothing eventful happened in any other class.

The next day, our first classes went smoothly. When we got to the only class that we had with Jemma other than lunch, people were wondering where she was. I decided I would try to stay out of it. I sat down in my seat and tuned into what the teacher was saying. After a while I started to let my mind wander.  I was considering the pros and cons of admitting that Jemma was suspended because of me when the teacher announced he would be out of the room for a while and we were free to talk as we waited. I didn’t care at first, considering I didn’t really want to talk. When Lana came over to my desk, I knew it wasn’t to talk to me but just to be there. After a while she turned to me.

“So do you know where Jemma is?” she asked. I buried my head in my hands not wanting to answer the question.

“Maybe” I mumbled. I didn’t want anyone to overhear that I did. The only reason I knew in the first place was because I over-heard my homeroom teacher talking on the phone. She had kept her voice low but I didn’t have anything to do. So I listened. I heard Jemma’s name and the word suspended and after putting two and two together figured it out. I was lost in my own world when I heard my name.

“Steven,” someone called. “Do you know where Jemma is?” I hesitated, rethinking my pros and cons. I finally decided to admit I did.

“Um yeah, I do. She, ah, she got suspended.” I mumbled, turning my head away.

“Seriously?!” another person shouted.

“Yeah, why?” I asked, confused.

“That’s awesome!” The whole room erupted in cheers.

When we got to lunch, there were signs posted everywhere. I walked up to one and read it. It said:

“Due to the incident on November 14

Cheez-its are no longer allowed in the cafeteria!

Thank you for your cooperation.”

“I’m not surprised” Lana told me. “Who would want Cheez-its all over the cafeteria again?” She smiled. The rest of the year went fine.