For Miss Brisa Henson on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

It was an ordinary day at Lynnwood High School. Outside, it was raining, as usual, but that didn't perturb the kids in 6th period drama class. They were preparing for their first play of the year: building sets, putting together costumes, and running lines. The theatre and its adjoining classroom were full of noise.

Brisa Henson was meant to be rehearsing with Shane, but she had said something silly that annoyed him and was now hiding to avoid being tickled. She wandered up to the booth, where her friend Emily was setting cues in the show's light plan.

'Hi, Brisa!' Emily said when Brisa entered. 'I thought you were-'

'Nope,' Brisa cut her off, sitting down next to Emily. 'What'cha up to?'

'Settin' cues,' the ginger girl answered. Somebody shouted something from the catwalks and Emily stood up, leaning out the booth window. 'What?'

'Bring up light 43!' the person shouted.

'Okay!' Emily punched some buttons. 'Light 43 up!'

'Thank you!'

'Oh!' Emily turned to Brisa. 'While I'm thinking about it, do you have that book I lent you?'

'What book?' Brisa asked, playing with her phone.

'You borrowed my copy of Alice in Wonderland, remember? I'd let you keep it for as long as you want, but I need it for a class, so…'

Brisa remembered having a copy of Alice in Wonderland, though it was a distant memory. A cold sense of panic filled her as she realized she had no idea where the book was.

'The sooner the better-'

'Booth?'

'What?'

'Light 43 out, please.'

Emily punched some more buttons. 'Light 43 is out!' She turned back to Brisa. '-so can I please have it by tomorrow or Thursday?'

Looking at Emily's hopeful face, Brisa felt terrible that she'd lost the book. Before she could think it through, however, she said, 'No problem! I'll have it for you tomorrow!' in a bright, cheery voice.

'Great! Thanks so much.' Emily turned back to the light board. 'And you can have it back as soon as I'm done. Thanks again.'

Brisa looked out the window at the activity in the theatre. 'Oops,' she said to herself.

At that moment, the catwalk door above them opened and Shane pounded down the stairs. 'Found you!' he cried. Brisa screamed and dashed out of the booth, Emily's laughter trailing after her.

I've got to find that book, Brisa thought.

0—0

As you can see above, I wrote this story for a friend on her birthday. The names of people and places have been changed (for the most part). I'm not gonna lie, it makes more sense if you went to our school and know the layout. But I'm proud of this story and wanted to share. So I hope you enjoy.