She-Devil

        Why do I do this to myself? No matter how good a show, staying up all night to watch is always a bad idea. I knew I had school. I knew it was a weekday, and yet my dumb ass kept thinking one more episode.  I threw open the car door and not so gracefully shuffled into the 2007 blue Equinox. Jamming the key into the ignition I reprehended myself over and over for my poor decision making, because oh was I paying for it now. With a sharp twist of the key the SUV stalled and came to life purring under my tense hands that gripped the wheel. Shifting into drive I jeered the steering wheel to the left and floored it, cutting off a peeved soccer mom in the process. The van honked twice but was drowned out by the blasted Ham*lton music that had last been playing in the car.     I was late for first period, which meant Mrs. Gwen will have my head. Freaking fantastic. I glanced over at the car display time, the bright mint green colours reading 8:35am. Not the worst, as I had only missed 20 minutes, but those 20 minutes might as well be the whole flipping term with Mrs. Gwen. With that in mind my speedometer inched up a few Km as my anxiousness grew.      Within a few minutes I had screeched into a parking space in the school parking lot and bolted into the school, bag thrown over my shoulder, Santa-style. Merry Christmas Evelyn Mrs. Gwens failed you! I Stop out of breath at room 202 and creak open the door. Maybe I could still salvage this. I could play it off as if I'd been there all along, and was in the washroom when she took attendance or something. It was a fools hope, but all I had to hang onto as I played it stealth, walking quietly through the classroom of bustling teenagers, keeping to the wall. I thought for one glorious moment I was in the clear before I hear the old quack clear her throat from the front of the room. The groups of classmates halt their chitter chatter, and silence falls amongst them.     I stand still, back to her.     Not here. Totally not here. You still don't know I'm here. My mind chants over and over. She clears her croaky throat once more in a matter that demands attention.  "Evelyn Falls."     All remaining hope is shattered and my shoulders slump, as I pivot to face the crusty old woman. She's sat behind her desk with her elbows resting on the table. her fingers twinned together like weaving forest sticks, she peers from behind them, her narrow wrinkled face set in permeant misery mode. Her hair is in its usual style, pinned back into a sleek sliver bun with little to no imperfection. Her outfit dull, as the simple grey shirt accompanied by tan pants peek out from underneath the desk.     I remain silent as her beady black eyes throw daggers my way, examining my dishevelled form-no doubt- and awaiting my response.     She clears her throat once more and sticks her neck out in a fashion that says 'I'm arrogant and waiting'. I have to resist the eyeroll that that action deserves. "Would you like a HALLS Mrs. Gwen? Your throat seems to be bothering you an awful lot this morning," I smile sweetly at her, and make to look like I'm fishing out the cough drops from my bags side pocket.      Some of the troublemakers laugh while others hold in smiles. It's a well known fact this teacher is disliked, by not only the students but the staff as well. She's a crappy person to all, putting it bleakly, and I especially piss her off. Can't exactly go running to the principle whining a student offered you a HALLS. Even if it was a jab at her. That's probably why she loathes me so much, she can't really tell on me for my retorts. I watch as her lips thin out and her hands grip tighter together. "Sit. Down. Miss Falls," She spits through gritted teeth. "As you wish, Mrs. Gwen. The offer remains," I bob my head and walk over to my desk plopping down in my chair and placing my ton of a bag at my feet.      Today was going to be a long day.                                                                                                                                                                  ~***~     I smoothed my hair down in the reflection of the coffee shops window as the wind had picked up before coming inside. School had been long and torturous and as I sipped my Carmel Frap I dwelled on all the homework I had to finish later this evening. I sat at a two seater in a small bustling coffee shop window located on the corner of two roads with my best friend as she went on and on about some Darrien dude. I would fill in when she needed me to with my opinion, yes, and no's, but when it came to us she was the bubbly one who covered most of the convo. Which I enjoyed. She was a loud cheerful girl with loads to say. I turned my gaze back to her as she coiled a tight brown curl around her finger. She held a steaming chi Tea in her mocha toned hand while her other worked at her hair.      Her favourite topic as of late was of a guy she met at a party named Darrien, She had called me drunk proclaiming her everlasting love for the guy. When she was sober I reminded her she once did the same for the Pizza delivery man as well. Though a handful sometimes, she was fun to be around and we came to have girl time here every Monday just so we had something to look forward to on the worst day of the week. I smiled as she rambled on. "Eve, I know I've said this before, but for real this time, I think I've found the one." She squealed. "I'm happy for you Kayla. But for the love of all that's holy, please don't let him be a douche." I laughed, grabbing my coat from the back of the chair.      I slipped the warm dark blue fabric over my arms, and placed my now empty piece-of-heaven in the trash. winding a white scarf around my neck, Kayla and I made our way out into the streets and frigid twilight air. Southern Canada was weird like that. You could wake up to warm clear skies and go to bed with cloudy cold overcast. Today wasn't an exception unfortunately. We made our way towards our parked cars, laughing and making small talk, when we came across the ever busy intersection. Kayla leaned over to press the walk button and then pulled out her blinged-out phone, to text god knows who.  We stood there for a minute when something caught my attention in the corner of my eye. There stood a boy with a red balloon tied to a string he grasped in his tiny hand. He just stared at me an apartment down on the side walk. My brows kitted together on my forehead as I looked back at him.  Then his faced pulled back into a wide grin. And he did something. He took a step towards the road. And then another, and another. Panicked I shouted at him and on instinct my feet pounded pavement as I ran to meet him. He still held that unusual smile as he stepped out into the busy road.  I did something. Something without thinking. I jumped to grab him, too late to move out of the way of a tank truck, as it barrelled down the road blaring its horn. I had only an intake of breath. that was it. It was nothing like the movies, no time to move, no time to jump out of the way like some heroine. One breath, and it was all over.