Valerie hurried into the back hall and stopped short. There was a line. The receptionist checked her slip of paper and motioned for her to stand behind five other girls going to detention. She had been running late, as usual, but apparently she wasn't the only one who bungled the rules. This school was much stricter compared to the public school she had been expelled from. And they had uniforms. How archaic she thought as she studied the height, shape, hair color, and skin color of the girls ahead of her. Each one unique except for her clothing. Just as she realized that was the point, the door ahead opened. Her heart raced until she saw the lead girl crane her neck in, then calmly go ahead. The door promptly shut.
The line puzzled her. Why not let them all sit in the classroom? Perhaps they had to check ID's. She sighed. More red tape. Her attention drifted to the small square of paper in her hand. She held it up and read through the column of boxes. The list included boxes for being disruptive, discourteous, without uniform, and improper undergarments. She crinkled her nose at the last. How would they know? The one with the word "Tardy" next to it had a bright red checkmark.
Valerie had just started school here today and now, right off, she was going to detention. She assumed it was like her old school where they sat quietly at desks working on homework. The door at the end of the hall opened again and the girl in front of the line went in. Why was this taking so long? Just standing around waiting was worse than sitting quietly. A few minutes later the door opened once more and the next girl disappeared. Two more to go.
Valerie studied the girl in front of her. She was attractive, exotic. Perhaps from India or a neighboring land. A few inches taller, the girl's mocha skin was a stark contrast to her white blouse and Valerie's own Midwestern pale. It appeared smooth as soft leather. Her hair was jet black and straight to her shoulders. Valerie's was "you betcha" blonde. The only commonality they shared was the way the other girl's plaid skirt draped over her prominent rear.
Curious, Valerie leaned forward. "What's your name?"
"Shhh!" The girl turned her head back a quick moment. "You'll get us in trouble." A moment later, her head turned again, a bit further. "Trina."
A wry smile lit up Trina's face but quickly disappeared when the door opened again. The girl ahead of her went through and Valerie caught a glimpse of a woman's arm reach out as the door closed again. Trina turned quickly and rolled her eyes. She stifled a quick laugh and turned forward, serious again. A current of mischievousness crackled and Valerie stepped forward and poked Trina with her finger. Trina's hand swatted behind her but Valerie was out of reach. Another poke. A pair of giggles and Trina spun quick enough to capture Valerie's finger. Just then the door opened. The girls froze. A prim, stern woman with a tight bun and wearing a woolen dress suit and serious heels glared from the doorway. She pointed at Trina and summoned her with the same finger. Trina gave Valerie a worried look and went past the woman. "You too." She said to Valerie.
A knot tightened in her stomach. "Why did I do that?" Valerie chided herself. "Always causing trouble." Looking around the new room, she had expected to see the other girls busily employed at their desks. But there was only a chair in the middle of the room occupied by distinguished, gray-haired man in a dark suit. The Principal, Valerie deduced. So the woman at the door must be his secretary. So where were the other girls? As her gaze landed on a second door in the opposite corner, the Principal summoned Trina to his side in a deep-throated voice. "Paper please."
Valerie watched with fascination as he glanced at the form and shook his head. "Lift up your skirt, young lady."
"Sir?"