Mr. Harrison finally turns around from writing on the chalkboard. "Principals office, NOW"
both me and Caleb look at each other, before standing up and making our way to the door
I looking around, locking eyes with Chloe, Elara's younger sister. I miss Elara, from what I remember, we had known each other since we were in kindergarten, and up until 5 years ago, near the end of our grade 8 year. I never heard from her again. Apparently, she had moved to New York for a photography gig. At least that's what Mum had told me, I cant really remember much from that time anymore, must be age. Or I just have a really bad memory.
She looks away quickly.
Huh, I wonder what her problem is.
I look over at Mr. Harrison, he glares at me like he wants to strangle me right here and now. I just roll my eyes and keep walking.
I open the heavy oak door, me and Caleb leave the class. We keep walking down the halls until we reach the principals office
The air in the front office was thick with the smell of floor wax and stale coffee, a sterile contrast to the damp, wet scent of the park from the vision
As we enter, there are two blue plastic chairs laid out for us, the chairs that shift every time somebody shifts. The silence was killing me, broken only by the aggressive snip-snap of the secretary's stapler, mocking the ticking of the of the wall clock as she stares at us.
"Why does everybody in this school have a staring problem" Caleb says laughing
Then from the entrance of the office a voice says "shut up Caleb that's what you get for being late to class" I look over at the door, it was Finn, one of mine and Caleb' s best friends in the whole town, maybe even the world
"Finnnn!" I say excited to see my best friend
"Hey mann, I've missed you so much"
I stand up and give him a hug before I am called into the office.
the door clicked shut behind me, muffling the sounds of the lobby until the only thing i could hear is the rhythmic, clinical thump of the grandfather clock behind her desk
Mr. Thorne didn't sit down. Instead he stood behind his desk, looking out the huge window, looking down at the trees in front of the school.
"Sit, Liam"
I sit down in the chair,
"Liam, how does this keep happening, I expect this from your brother Caleb. But not from you of all people."
"Okay for one, we talk to school together. For two, we were barely even late, the bell went as soon as we got here that's not fair"
"well then maybe you should think about starting to leave for school earlier"
I just stare out the window, just wanting this to be over with. "Can I go yet?"
"Yes you can go."
I stand up, going to leave
"wait Liam, one more thing"
"Yes Mr. Thorne?"
"One more time and I'm going to have to suspend you, maybe even expel"
"I understand" I say as I I open his office door and leave, greeted with the sounds of Caleb and Finn laughing about.. something, when I turn the corner I see Chloe has joined them now
"Liam finally, you're here" she says turning her full attention to me suddenly
"yeah.."
"hey guys.. I've been wondering, what do you think happened to the park" I look at my feet, before gaining the courage to look them in the eyes
They all look back at me, confused
Chloe: She looks at me like I've I lost all of my braincells "wasn't it just a forest fire that had spread to the park?"
"yeah I guess, never-mind forget it"
Chloe: "Liam..." her face softens, the mocking look in her eyes replaced by something more fragile, she wasn't trying to be mean "Think about it, why would they lie about something like that?"
"I don't know, I just have a really bad feeling, ever since yesterday"
Finn: I have an idea, what if tomorrow we meet up with the others, and we all go to the park, see it first-hand. Maybe we can get some clarity on this"
"yeah good idea"
and then me and Caleb walk away to the parking lot, "can I please drive todayyy I need the practice"
Caleb: No if we pull into the driveway with you behind the wheel mum would kill me, literally"
"Can I drive until we're on our street at least?"
Caleb: "No Liam, maybe on Monday"