The drama class

Lurching to the right Christina yanked open the gray steel door to the nearest drama classroom and dashed inside. She shut the door and knelt down behind it, under the small, narrow window built into it. The room was dark and Christina didn’t grope for the light switches. Instead she felt the doorknob but there was no lock. She leaned against it, cold metal pressed against her shoulder and ribs. Hopefully she could hold it closed if anyone found her.

The footsteps arrived around the hallway and slowed in pace. Muttered utterances of boys mere feet outside the door but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. She looked at the beam of light hitting the ground a yard away, lighting from the hallway providing the only illumination. A head-shaped shadow blotted out about half of the light and paused for a few seconds before moving on. More muttering from outside.

It’s working! she thought, half elated.

The footsteps started again, getting quieter. Were they walking away? They must be.

After a full minute of silence Christina ventured a look out the window. The hallway was empty.

She allowed herself a sigh of relief and only then noticed that a few tears had rolled down her cheeks. She wiped them away, then flicked on the classroom lights to look around. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but prayed for anything she could cover herself with.

She saw rows of student desks, the teacher’s desk near the front and a miniature stage. Behind the stage was a cheap wooden door, “wardrobe” painted on it in fading yellow.

The wardrobe, I didn’t even think of that! she thought, rushing to the door. Please don’t be locked, please don’t be locked…

The knob turned easily in her hand and the door swung open. She hit the switch to light up the room and saw racks on wheels, holding a variety of stage costumes. Dresses, gowns, men’s clothing, all looking like they came from centuries ago.

Christina didn’t care, grabbing the nearest dress and starting to pull it over her head. At least she was wearing something, and it was large enough that it left everything to the imagination. More than enough to cover herself while she walked to the administration office to report the bullies.