A Year in Tenth Grade

Revenge served on a petri dish...

Jade’s POV

I heard my alarm ring with a loud rooster sound. Well, at least I hope it was my alarm and not a real rooster in my room, because that would be ridiculous. But I don’t really remember setting my alarm like that......

Grumblingly, I banged my hand on the side table trying to snooze off the alarm. I extended my hand further and further until there was a large thud.

 I found myself on the floor. I fell almost crushing my pet cat, Scarlet, but I was still half asleep.  Scarlet has snow white fur all over but for a scar like patch near her right ear with is deep red in colour.  

I finally got up after twenty six failed attempts. I shut the alarm off which, by now, I am sure, would have woken up the aliens on the Moon. And I’m also sure that you would have guessed by now that I’m not a morning person. At all.

I got ready for school and was waiting outside for Lillian. She was supposed to pick s up. Actually, Mason, Lillian’s brother, was going to pick us up because Lillian did not own a car yet. Then I finally saw Mason’s car. He pulled up; I opened the door to the back seat. It was a five seater car and Kate, Lillian and Michelle were already in the back seat. Though Michelle was going with us only for a couple of weeks, over time we had learned how to squeeze into every last bit of the molecular space in the car. So I somehow found my way in and sat.

Next up we were going to pick Molly. We stopped at her house, she opened the back door.

Seeing that there was no space in the back, Molly said, “Where should I sit now?”

“You can sit in the front.” Suggested Michelle.

“In the front? With him?” asked a horrified Molly.

Seeing that Mason could hear her, she spoke in whispers, “I wouldn’t like to.”

“Come on, I don’t bite.” Said Mason, looking back in the rear view mirror.

Molly hesitatingly sat down in the front.

She is so tense. Poor girl. But she would have to get used to it. After all she has to spend the rest of the semester with him. Ha! Look who’s talking. I would have to get use to sitting with my creepy lab partner too. It is a good thing I only meet him once in a day.

We reached the school and I was pulled out of my thoughts. Molly was the first one to jump out of the car. We thanked Mason and went inside.

I was at my locker when I saw Tiffany going by, giving me mischievous, satisfied smile.

What’s that all about?

Today I had Maths first. I went and sat in the class and started doodling again because I was early and the teacher was not here yet. I saw Tiffany coming to me with a supposedly friendly smile.

Oh boy, this can’t be good.   

She says “Hey Jade!”

“Hi.” I reply

“Mrs Andrews has asked you to help her bring out the specimens kept in her room’s cupboard.”

“She has? I thought that she didn’t come to school today.”

“Oh she has come. Now you better hurry up, you don’t want to make her angry.”

“But why me? And I have a class to attend right now.”

“I don’t know. Just go!” She said pushing me to the door.

Even though I was uneasy about this I went.

I knocked at the door. No response.

 I peeped inside. No one.   

 I walked inside. “Hello?”. No sound.

I walked to the cupboard and looked inside. Suddenly I felt someone push me from the back. I heard the door shut and then it was pitch black. In an instant I knew that it was Tiffany.

Come on! Seriously?

“Real mature Tiffany! Real mature!” I shouted. “Now what? You want me to scream and say ‘I’m scared of the dark let me out’?”

“No. Look on the floor.” She said

Thought I couldn’t see much I could see a faint outline of something on the ground. A lot of small things.

I suddenly felt something rub against my foot. I let out a  small scream.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Frogs” she said.

Oh my God! If there is one thing that I can’t stand that is frogs. They are slimy and scary. I just can’t stand them.

I started hyperventilating. Even though I’ve been told a thousand times that frogs are harmless I’m just so scared of them. Tiffany knows me all too well.

“Come on Tiffany, open the door. This is not funny.” I said trying to keep my voice as normal as possible.

“I find it funny. See you later. Enjoy you company.” She said and walked away.

I knew it was no use calling after her. I would only make her enjoy it even more. I tried the door several times even after knowing it is no use. Mrs Andrews was absent today and nobody was coming to get me anytime soon. I pressed myself against the door trying to put as much distance between me and the frogs as possible but in vain. There wasn’t much I could do but wait and hope not to die!

Death by frogs! Great!

After what seemed like ages I heard some noise outside. I banged my hand on the door. The door clicked open. It was music to my ears. I finally got out of there.

Then it hit me.

I was late for my class. Really late.

I ran to my class. When I got to the door I saw Principle Shaw inside. Apparently he was on his routinely check.

Damn! Can it get any worse than this?

He called me inside and asked where I have been. I opened my mouth to answer but he cut me out.

He said, “Never mind, here.” He handed over a small paper to me and walked out.

I looked down at it. It was a detention slip.

It just got worse.....

Tiffany, you better watch your back....