secretary
would answer. Mrs. Westwood desperately waited for the front office
to pick up. The call rung for what it seemed like eternity. No one
answered. She tried the front office again. Mrs. Westwood watched,
attentively, as Sue Ellen slowly made her way back to her desk.
After four phone calls to the front office, and no answer, Mrs.
Westwood went back to the door to sneak a peak out of the window in
an effort to see if she could view anything.
Drew licked his lips
slowly and for once did not have Sue Ellen on the brain. Where was McKenzie? Did some kid grow tired of
being bullied and came to school this morning to take it out on
everyone? For some strange reason an
instinct to survive kicked in. Drew knew that whatever was outside
those doors would soon be threatening to make its way
in.
Chapter 2
Hickory dickory dock
The child ran up the block
It won’t be long
His hunger grows strong
Hickory dickory dock
This was no ordinary
hurricane drill. The students sat solemnly in their desks as they
watched Mrs. Westwood pace the floors back and forth. She held her
cell phone high up in the air in an attempt to get a signal. Drew
over heard the teacher mumble to herself, I have never had a problem with reception. What is going on
out there?
All of a sudden, the door thundered loudly
like before when Dr. Bradford had bolted into the classroom. Mrs.
Kissing, the English teacher, ran into the door and desperately
tried to open it. The unexpected sight of the crazed appearing
teacher caused Mrs. Westwood to jump back grasping her stomach.
“ Open the door! Please ! Oh my God, help
us!” Mrs. Kissing frantically yelled.
The desperation in her voice sent chills
through the already hormonal Mrs. Westwood. She ran to the door to
unlock it as the students in the classroom sat dumbfounded and on
edge. Mrs. Kissing ran into the classroom accompanied by a dark
haired Mexican girl, Josefina Torrez and a rail thin, stringy
haired blonde Karley Richardson. They were all covered with red
dots. Drew, observing the situation, knew that this was not going
to be good news at all.
“ Hey! What is that girl
doing in here?” A dark skinned black girl, with blond high lights,
stood up out of her desk. She pointed at Josefina
Torrez.
“ Que pasa? Pendeja! I am
no longer afraid of you, Cookie Rogers! I am tired of running. So,
come on! Bring it!” Joesfina bowed up at Cookie as she stood behind
Mrs. Kissing. Cookie became bold and walked up towards Josefina.
Mater jumped up and put a hand on Cookie’s chest halting
her.
“ All you eat is tacos!
Dat’s why yo breath stank like rotten beans!” Cookie blasted. Some
of the students snickered.
“ I am allergic to most
Mexican food, pendeja loca! At least I don’t have to put my hair on
lay-a-way!” Josefina cracked at Cookie as she swayed and flipped
her long, thick strands. Most of the students responded with Oooo’s and giggles after
Josefina’s verbal thrashing.
“ My weave cost more than
that raggedy trailer you live in!”
“ Mi barrio looks better
than that slum hole you call the projects!”
Mater continued to hold onto Cookie’s
arm.
“ Get your hands off me!”
Cookie shouted at Mater. “This girl thinks she looks better than
every one. She is always stealing people’s boyfriends and it’s
about time I set the records straight!” Mater did not back down and
grabbed Cookie’s arms before she had a chance to lunge at
Josefina.
“ Cookie Rogers!” Mrs.
Westwood yelled. “If you don’t sit down this instant, I will have
you in alternative school for the rest of the year and you can kiss
any hopes of a basketball scholarship goodbye! Josefina, one more
word out of you…. Consider your student visa, revoked!” Mrs.
Westwood grabbed her belly. The onset of stomach pains
began.
Cookie quickly retreated back to her desk
with her shoulders slumped. Drew glanced at Mater who pulled her
long French braid to the side. Mater was always the diplomat