Lessons I Never Learned at Meadowbrook Academy by Liz Maccie

greasy, but I didn’t care. He pulled the pen away, and I caught a glimpse of the blue circle he had stained into his palm.
    â€œWell, Miss Romano, you’re exactly who I’m looking for.”
    I quickly turned to see Twiggy Finger standing behind me.
    â€œWhy aren’t you in class?”
    â€œOh, I was just going into class—”
    â€œClass started fourteen minutes ago. You’re just going into class now?”
    â€œNo. I mean, yes…well, no, not exactly.” I could feel beads of sweating forming on my forehead. “What I mean is…” I looked to the ground and forced my eyelids to stay open so that I could start crying. When I felt a tear ready to inch its way out, I looked back up at Twiggy. “My grandfather just passed away. An hour ago.” I threw in a couple sniffles to heighten the realism.
    â€œReally,” Twiggy said. “And would this be your mother’s father or your father’s father?”
    â€œIt was Nonno, my mother’s father.” I gave Twiggy a slight smile, letting her know that I’d be okay, as I dramatically wiped the tear from my cheek.
    â€œNonno, you say?”
    â€œYeah, dear, sweet Nonno. My mom called my cell phone and Ms…” I started to panic because I didn’t even know the English teacher’s name. “Ms…”
    â€œMs. Shwartz?”
    â€œYes, Ms. Shwartz let me take the call in the bathroom, but I’m okay now and it’s all okay and I’m ready to go back to class.” I put my hand on the doorknob to Room 202.
    Twiggy reached out and placed her hand, which was ice cold, on top of mine. “Just one second, Miss Romano.” She guided me away from the door. “What I find incredibly interesting is that the use of cell phones during the school day is absolutely and unequivocally prohibited, and I am most certain Ms. Shwartz is well aware of this rule.”
    â€œOh, of course. Of course she is.” I was trying to think fast on my feet. “Ms. Shwartz just made an exception because of…the death and all.” God, my lies were now expanding to incriminate Ms. Shwartz, whom I didn’t even know. Before knowing Christine, I never used to lie, but now I could have won the lying Olympics. And why did I say cell phone in the first place? The closest thing I had to a cell phone was an expired calling card I found on the ground outside an IHOP.
    â€œInteresting,” Twiggy said as she rubbed her chin. “Well, Ms. Shwartz is a very compassionate type of person.”
    I nodded in agreement.
    â€œBut, really, what I find even more intriguing is that I just got off the phone with your mother and she never even mentioned the loss of Nonno.”
    What! Why the hell was my mother calling Twiggy Finger? I tried to play it calm, hoping Twiggy couldn’t see my pulse pounding in my neck.
    â€œAnd when I called Ms. Shwartz over the intercom to have you come to my office, she said you never showed up to class. Therefore, what you are presenting me with is a contradictory story to that of Ms. Shwartz’s, and I’d have to say I don’t believe yours. Come with me please.”
    Twiggy abruptly turned and headed down the hall. I was royally screwed and had no choice but to follow. Why did my mother call? Following behind Twiggy’s mothball aroma, I started to worry. I seriously hoped my lie about Nonno didn’t cause some kind of bizarre cosmic chain reaction that really had caused the untimely death of a family member. I don’t think there were enough Hail Marys to get me out of this one.

The Bowels of Hell
9:49 a.m.
    Twiggy’s office was located toward the back of the school, behind the gym, across from the nurse’s office. There was a small sign on her door that read, “Dean of Students.” She pulled a chain full of keys from her blazer pocket, and they clanked together as she grabbed one from the middle of the bunch