The War Within

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

How did this happen? I asked myself as I sat in the reception area in front of the principal’s office. It was Tuesday and an hour after school. Adam sat right beside me looking like he was in the fight or flight stage of this long, but rather short, journey. I wasn’t sure about him, but I had feared getting caught and yet didn’t seriously think it would happen. Mr. Cunning had walked in precisely as Adam was passing the answers and work over to me. He snatched up the paper, our tests, and then wrote us up. That plan was a fail. Although, I was still amazed that one of Adam’s friends managed to get Mr. Cunning out of the classroom to begin with. Teachers didn’t just leave in the middle of a test, ever, so the fact that Adam’s friend succeeded was still pretty impressive in my book; and to think, he actually got away with it too!

However, as I returned to the present, I mentally moaned thinking of the consequences I would now face.

How did I get myself into this mess? I asked myself again, slouching in the chair in front of the principal’s desk. Nekama, to my distaste, reminded me of the series of events that led me here. My dad was going to kill me when he got wind of what I did. On top of this, I didn’t need Nekama making me feel even more stupid. When my dad found out it was all over for me. Goodbye life and goodbye annoying Nekama. On the other hand, that last part didn’t sound so bad.

However, returning to my previous train of thought, this wasn’t a question of if my dad heard about everything; it was one of when he was told by none other than the principal himself.

There had to be a way to make sure he didn’t find out or to convince the principal not to tell him… but how? I thought of my dad’s reaction to this new act of ‘rebellion’ on my part and grimaced.

Good thing I’m too old to be spanked, but what will he do now? Will I be grounded again? He’s probably worried by now since he’s running out of ways to punish me and nothing is working… Although, being grounded sure is inconvenient...

How long would I be sentenced to my room? Until graduation? College? Eternity? What would the principal do to me? Would I be suspended? Expelled? Was there a way for me to distract the principal and keep him from telling my dad? Or maybe I could make a getaway and go home before anyone knew what was going on… And then what?

“How about you walk out of here and pull the fire alarm?” Nekama suggested coolly.

And how would that help my cause? I asked him skeptically.

“Well, for one, it would be a distraction. Second, it would cause everyone to pause what they’re doing and try to find out either where the fire is or gather on the blacktop to get away from the ‘flames’. Third, it would give you enough time to run home, grab your car keys and car, and take off to safety.” He reasoned like a seasoned lawyer.

I chewed on this bit of information for a moment, glancing around the room as I did so. It was just Adam and I in the waiting room sitting on chairs in front of the desk… it could work… So what do you suggest I do? Walk out of here and set off the nearest fire alarm?

“Pretty much. Go on, give it a shot. I mean, think about it, you’re already in trouble so what do you have to lose?” Nekama suggested with a slightly triumphant tune echoing in his voice.

Okay. Here goes nothing then.

I turned to Adam and nudged him slightly while motioning with my eyes to the door. After a minute he caught on and nodded ever so slightly. Without a word I arose and walked out like it was nobody’s business. We slipped around campus like nothing had happened and we were not up to something. Adam trailed behind me until we reached a fire alarm near the boys’ bathroom, one that no one was near. This one just so happened to be the type that had to have fire by it to make any sound. Great, I didn’t have any matches or a lighter. I bit my lip in deliberation, we could go back and look for another fire alarm that could be pulled, but that would run the risk of us getting caught.