Bullies?

Christina snapped out of her brief daydream when the pressure of nature’s calling struck. Mr. Johnson was still discussing tangents. He didn’t require students to ask permission to use the restroom but openly stated he preferred everyone wait to go between classes. Christina looked at the clock and saw he would be talking for a while longer yet.

Can I wait that long? She thought.

After a few seconds debate she decided she couldn’t hold it and stood up from her desk, quietly walking out of the room. The halls were deserted and quiet, like they always were during class. Evenly spaced fluorescent lighting lined the corridors, bright enough to see clearly but dimmer than most buildings use.

Upon opening the ladies’ room door she heard three girls talking. Of course they’re in here, they’re always cutting class Christina thought.

In front of the sink stood Kelly, Denise and Becca, chatting away. Christina didn’t know them well but knew their reputation. Tormenting other students with name calling and pranks, intentionally bouncing dodgeballs of kids’ faces in gym class then passing it off as an accident. Thankfully they’d always left Christina alone. She crossed to the stall, locked the door and slipped her jeans and underwear down.

After a minute the voices died down, but Christina didn’t hear them walk out. Maybe they’re waiting for some privacy she thought, unspooling some toilet paper.

She opened the stall door and Denise stepped halfway into the confined space.

“I failed that English test because of you, stupid bitch. You know what happened to the last person who didn’t let me copy off them?”

“What are you talking about? You were on the other side of the class last week during-“

“Two months ago!” Denise shouted, grabbing Christina’s arms and yanking her out of the stall. She seized Christina’s shoulders before shoving her into the middle of the room. Kelly backed against the restroom door to stop anyone from coming in without warning. Or to prevent escape.

“I sat next to you two months ago specifically for that test! You covered the test with your arm so I couldn’t see your answers, and I had to do makeup homework for weeks to get that up to a D!”

“You didn’t say anythi-“

Denise violently shoved Christina against the wall, “Why else would I sit next to you?”

Taut quiet filled the room for a moment, Denise’s incensed breathing the only audible sound. Eventually Becca’s half-amused voice cut through the tension.

“You going to beat her ass?”

“I’ve got something better for her. Strip.”

“W-w-what?” Christina stammered.

“You heard me, strip!”