Mortification

Mortification

Being the new kid is never easy, but for me it was extra hard. I didn’t like any of the other kids, and they didn’t like me either. Girls would steer clear from me, whispering and giggling and pointing. It never lasted long, soon my mother would move off to a new country to find work, and I would begin afresh. As soon as I saw the tall building that looked like a jail, I knew this would be worst than the others. When I walked in, it was actually quite nice- big orange chairs, bright paintings and colourful carpeting. I peered around, wondering what to do, and where to go. I began to walk toward the main hallway, when I heard a bell sound. I jumped as doors opened and kids poured out. They were giggling, chewing gum and shouting as they flew down the hallway toward more doors. I joined in the crowd of people, trying to dodge pieces of gum and spit balls. When we entered the door, I found myself in a big classroom. A teacher was sitting at her desk, headphones on, reading a book. I looked around for a spare desk, but there were none. I walked slowly over to the teacher’s desk, feeling people’s eyes following me. I hesitantly tapped the teacher's arm, and she sat bolt upright. She blushed, and tugged off her headphones. She placed the book on her desk and smiled at me.

“Welcome to Way Bridge High!” She said, her voice surprisingly shrill.

“Here, I’ll find you a desk.” She jumped up from her chair, and bounced over to the corner. She waved me over, and motioned for me to sit. I sat down slowly, and heard a loud noise. Someone farted! I realised. I looked around for a blushing face, but all eyes were on me. Suddenly, everyone burst out laughing, pointing at me. I blushed, and sank down into my desk. At last the laughter stopped, and the lesson began. I couldn’t pay any attention though. At the end of class, I stood, and was about to grab my books when I saw a Whoopee cushion on my chair. I felt a hot blush creep back up my face and I quickly hurried to my next class. I checked my schedule, and found that it was time for gym. I trudged toward the changing room, and quickly changed into my t-shirt, but where were my shorts? I knew I’d packed them, but they weren’t in my bag! I let out a frustrated sigh, and walked in wearing my jeans.

“Hold it, kiddo!” The coach bellowed, marching over to me. “Where are your shorts?”

I blushed again. (It was becoming quite normal to blush every few minutes now!)

“Since this is your first day, I’ll let you go with a warning, but next time…” The coach growled and cracked his knuckles. I bowed my head and hurried over to the mats where kids were all in yoga positions.

“Come sit next to me,” A girl said, her eyes twinkling. At last, a friend! I thought happily. I walked over and sat down. I let out a sigh of relief when I didn’t hear any noises underneath me.

“Do this position,” The girl instructed, her leg tucked behind her head.

“I’ll try.” I responded, pulling my leg up. I had it halfway behind my head when I heard a loud ri-i-i-i-p sound. I looked down and sure enough my pants had split right across my thighs. I jumped up and ran to the changing room, laughter echoing behind me. I sat down on the bench, and found my shorts tucked up in my bag. Someone had probably taken them so that I would have to wear my jeans and split them! I changed into my shorts and jogged back into the room. I went and sat back down next to the girl, and raised my eyebrows. She smirked back at me, and looked back to the coach. The coach was trying unsuccessfully to do a yoga position. I copied his position, smiling. I had finally got the best of everyone. At the end of gym, I rushed back to the changing room with everyone else to grab my schedule.

“Here,” The smirking girl said, shoving it at me. I took it from her, and walked out of the room.

I studied it, and noticed I had Math in one minute! I rushed down the hallway, pausing at each door. Finally, I found the MATHAMATICS door, and I rushed in. I sat down in a desk, and looked up at the teacher.

“Welcome, Grade 12s!” He said, smiling at us. Wait a second, Grade 12?

I stood up in a hurry and pushed my way out of the door. I studied my schedule- had I read it wrong? I looked at it carefully, and noticed it wasn’t my schedule. It belonged to someone named ‘Jessica Miller’. I crumpled it and shoved it in my pocket. Mortification, mortification, mortification! I hurried to the front desk, but it was still empty. I walked toward the closest restroom. I walked over to the mirror and looked at my red, sweaty face. The door opened, and I swivelled. It was a guy!

“Wrong restroom,” I said, feeling bad for him.

“No it isn’t, this is the men’s,” He said, motioning to the men’s sign on the inside of the door. I felt the usual hot blush creep up my cheeks and I quickly pushed my way out of the restroom. How could I be so stupid? I asked myself angrily. Why didn’t I see that sign? I pushed open the school doors, and sank down on the sidewalk. People walking over from the elementary school gave me some sideways glances, but no one came over.

“Hey,” A voice said from behind. I turned around and saw the smirking girl. She wasn’t smirking anymore though. She looked sorry.

“I’m really sorry for what we did. We do that to all new students. Sort of like an endurance test."

“My names Lena, you are Stacy, right?” She pulled me to my feet and dusted herself off. I grinned and nodded, lost for words. She laughed and dragged me into the school.