74. True Feeling

Taking several deep breaths, Russell paused outside of the principals’ office. Should he just enter? Or would the principal come out to get him? He looked around but the rest of the office was empty. The secretary must be out to lunch or something. A trembling ran though his body. Russell tried to force it out before anyone noticed. He knocked lightly on the door.

“Come in.”

Fighting back another wave of tremors Russell opened the door. The room was bright as the fluorescent lights reflected the posters covering the walls.. The principal wore a shirt that said “The principal is your pal” and sat behind a large wooden desk.. The desk was littered with brightly colored doodads. In front of the desk sat two chairs, a girl with short blonde hair was already sitting in one of them. As he approached, her blue pleated skirt came into view. He couldn’t help but look up her legs to where the skirt took over. He fought back a different sort of trembling now. As he came around the open chair, her face came into view. “What’s she doing here?” he blurted before he could catch himself.

Billie snapped her head and held up her chin. She made a loud “Hmph.”

The principal folded his hands over the desk and leaned forward. “Do you two know why you’re here?” The two middle school students shook their heads slowly. “There was an incident in the library yesterday. It just so happens that you two were the only ones there. I already know what happened, but I’m giving you the chance to confess.” He leaned back in his leather chair and waited for them to speak.

Russell looked at Billie; he tried to mentally ask her why she did it. She looked at him for a moment, raised an eyebrow and turned back to the principal.

“I don’t know why I’m here.” She said. “Whatever he did, I didn’t see it. I didn’t even know he was at the library yesterday. It’s not like I keep track of him or anything. I’m not his girlfriend.”

The principal leaned forward and started to say something. Russell interrupted him. “Yeah I did it.”

“He’s lying.” Billie snapped. Russell and the principal stared at her. Her eyes darted around the room as she realized she said something wrong. “I mean, yeah, that’s right. He must’ve done it.”

“That’s right” Russell added. “I was smoking in the library and I uh … I dropped, the cigarette and set the library on fire.”

Billie rolled her eyes. “Idiot” she mumbled.

“Who you calling an idiot, idiot.” Russell shouted at her. “That’s what I get for trying to help you.”

“Oh now you want to help me.” She matched the escalation in his voice. “You’ve never even talked to me, why would you suddenly want to help me now.” She turned away from him and pouted in her seat. “You don’t even know me.”

“I don’t know you?” Russell crossed his arms and pressed his back against the seat. He took a breath and lowered his voice. “We’ve been in the same classes since elementary school.”

“It’s not like you’ve ever talked to me.” She pressed her hands down her skirt, flatting it out. “This is like, the longest conversation we ever had.”

“Fine whatever, I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you. But I do know one thing.” Russell leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees. “I know I didn’t start that fire.”

“Don’t blame me.” She came undone. “You already admitted to it. Go ahead” she motioned to the principal, “call his mother, send him to jail, he admitted to it.”

“I didn’t blame you stupid.” His voice was starting to creep back up. “You blamed me, twice. All I said was that I didn’t do it.”

She gripped the armrests. “You are blaming me.” Her eyes started to tear. “This is exactly why I never talked to you. You’re such a jerk. All the girls think you’re a jerk. I don’t even know why I like you.” The water stopped as her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. “I mean…” her body tensed turning each knuckle white. “It was an accident ok? I didn’t mean to do it. I just tripped and the book hit the fire sprinkler thingy and the alarm went off and I didn’t know what to do.” She looked at Russell for a moment and quickly turned back to the principal and pouted. “I’m really sorry okay? It wasn’t my fault.”

“Wait, What?” Russell watched her very carefully. He watched every rapid breath, the sweat forming on her head. “You like me?”

Her mouth hung open in half horror half smile. “Yeah.” She managed to say.

“Are you kidding?” He watched her watching him. Taking a deep breath and making sure his mouth wasn’t handing open like hers. “I’ve liked with you since that first day on the playground.” He winced slightly waiting for the whiplash.

“Why the didn’t you ever tell me?” She finally closed her mouth.

“Why would I? We’ve never talked. And besides, you’re all cool and popular. You’d never date a guy like me.”

“I would if you ever asked me.” She said.

The principal stood up and they followed suit. “Seeing how it was an accident. I think we’re done here.” He opened the door and led them out. “Go have fun but don’t do anything your mothers wouldn’t approve of.”

© Chris Richards 2009