by Focus
© 2000 Focus, all rights reserved.
Clinton High School was a conglomeration, with a large, brick. old-fashioned, central building, constructed, according to its cornerstone, in 1893. Currently this portion was used for offices, teacher workrooms, storage. According to Chuck's grandmother, it had been condemned a decade ago, then refurbished. Theoretically it was safe, but enough parents had voiced their reservations for the administration to opt not to house regular classrooms there. The regular classrooms were in the low, flat roofed buildings to each side of the central building, and in the portables out back.
Chuck went into the central building. Dressed in his suit, he was not interested in meeting any of the kids. And it seemed the most likely place to find a storeroom where he could change clothes and store his suit until after school.
The main office was crowded with students and hassled secretaries, teachers, and administrators. Chuck turned the other way, going up the stairs, away from the crowds. At the top of the landing were two doors. One said, "Counseling". A quick peek through that doorway showed a crowded hall, full of confused looking students waiting to see their counselors. Chuck closed that door. Hearing a crowd of kids coming up the stairs, Chuck ducked through the other door: "Staff Only".
He faced a long, dimly lit hallway, with doors every few feet. Chuck strolled along the hall, checking doors as he went. Mail Room: Open, and occupied. Supplies: open, and full of teachers. Teacher Workroom: open, with teachers lined up to make copies. Math department: Locked. Science Department: Locked. Social Studies Department: Unlocked, but a heated debate was in progress inside. English Department: unlocked.
Chuck put his ear to the door, and heard nothing. Cautiously, he opened the door, and stepped inside. This might do... file cabinets, stacks of books, two tv/vcr carts... it didn't look as if anyone would notice a suit tossed in the corner. Chuck stepped behind the file cabinets to change - and found himself facing a stranger, a young man.
The man was talking on the phone. Chuck started to retreat - but the man held up a hand to stop him. "Yes! I'll be there!" he said into the phone. He hung up, then jumped to his feet, grabbing Chuck by the arm. "Come with me," he said, and Chuck's heart sank to his toes. The first day of school hadn't even begun, and already he was in trouble.