It wasn't even close to lunch when I figured out what I was gonna do. I didn't want to think about it too much because I always had this strange suspicious that teachers could read minds. The lighter was safely tucked into my back pocket along with my dignity. With my adrenaline pounding within me, I found it hard to sit still all through class. Today was gonna be long. I slouched down on my seat. Luckily, I sat in the very back of the class because I hated being noticed by anyone. That's probably one of the reasons I had no friends. I never wanted to be acknowledged.
"Now before we get started, let's review from the beginning. How does Oliver violate the rules of the workhouse?" I head the teacher ask vaguely while I was still in the doorway of my own world, "Charlotte?"
Shoot, was I being called on? I didn't respond.
"Charlotte Mathews." The teachers voice rang again.
I realized by now that all eyes were on me. There was no escaping it. I had to answer the dang question.
"Um, he asks for more gruel?" I said in a rather high-pitched voice, the type of voice I'd use if I was lyin'.
"Very good, Charlotte, but do try to pay more attention. I can tell you're not entirely here mentally." The teacher nodded in my direction.
I sat up straight again and joined my hands together on top of the desk, "Yes, Miss Blake." I smiled sweetly at her.
"Good." Her eyes moved to the chalk board to continue with the lesson as everyone else studied their books in front of them.
I shuffled through my books which were still covered with dried mud and dirt, trying to find the book Oliver Twist. I didn't appear to have it with me. I started to panic some. This never happens, I never forget anything!
Then I remembered plunging into the mud whilst everything flew out of my hands. I guess I must have forgotten a book, the book I just so happened to need the most today. I sighed and forced my weight against the back of my chair. The teacher continued to stare in my general direction.
"Miss Mathews, why don't you have your book out?" She asked, her hands on her hips. I could tell that she wasn't mad, just probably annoyed at me at worst. What was I supposed to say? That I rolled around in mud before school?
"I," I started briefly, then realized I still had no idea what to say, "I musta left it at home." I shrugged.
"This isn't like you, Miss Mathews," The teacher flexed her back, "But you know the rules, you know this calls for a detention."
My mouth fell open. Detention was a place I ain't never gone to before and I tried to avoid it the whole semester. I stared blankly as she walked over to her desk, pulled out that dreaded narrow slip of paper, and jotted down my name across it. I buried my head in my arms, trying to hide my frustration.
She walked over to my desk and set the piece of paper directly on top of it, next to where my head was down.
"Try to be more prepared next time." Ms. Blake looked a little troubled.
I heard the rest of the class snicker and giggle at me. I never felt so humiliated, almost. I felt my ears heat up with all the blood rushing to my face. I wanted to flee the classroom immediately, but I had to tough it out, just like Two-Bit had always told me to do.
"If the worst ever happens, tough it out." Is what he'd always say.
I flattened my upper body against the surface of the dest. Maybe if I fell asleep, this would all be over in a matter of seconds.
Just as I thought all hope was lost, the bell rang loud and melodiously. I threw my hands up while squeaking out the word, "Finally."
I grabbed my stuff and was ready to get to lunch. I was starved!
"Miss Mathews, could I speak to you for a moment?" The teacher called me over to her desk.
Dog gone it! Just a split second more and I would have been out the door on my way to the cafeteria. I let out a stressful sigh as I dragged my feet over to her desk.
"Yes, Miss Blake?" I asked in the sweetest voice I could possibly come up with.
"What's going on?" She asked blatantly.
"What do you mean?" I asked, cocking one eye brow.
I notice her examine my clothing.
"I slipped. It was raining outside and I slipped." I enunciated firmly.
"I see." She nodded, "I couldn't help but notice that you looked like something was troubling you. Is everything all right?" She stared me down.
I could feel the chills prick up the back of my spine.
"Y-yeah." I nervously stuttered, making sure the lighter wasn't in any way protruding from my back pocket.
Miss Blake eyed me for a while. My mouth went dry. I felt like she knew what I was thinking. Did I think about the plan for too long? Does she know what I'm gonna do?
I stared up at her like a lost puppy - fearful and shaken.
"Just making sure," she glanced at her watch and smiled, "You're free to go."
"Thank you, m'am." Without another word, I galloped outta there as quickly as I could, making sure I wouldn't get stopped again on my way out. Politeness was always key in maneuvering outta sticky situations.
I wanted to stop by my locker really fast so I could drop off my soil infested school books, so I could get washed up and eat without worrying about catching some weird disease.
I peeled open my locker, chucked everything in there, then locked it back up.
"Charlie!" I heard someone call out my name. I had forgotten my locker was directly next to my brother's. My brain was cookin' up somethin' fierce the moment he swung open his locker.
"Don'tchu ever keep a lock on that thing?" I asked, observing the messiness that haunted the inside of it.
"What for?" He asked, cocking an eye brow.
"So nothin' would get stolen," I threw up my hands signaling how obvious the answer should be.
"I don't care none." He said rather cooly, "If someone wants my books, hell, they could have 'em!"
I shook my head, but just then my brain baked up the most ingenious plan ever.
"Well, I'm off to lunch, see ya!" He said, tossing an apple in my direction.
I caught it and examined it. So much for cafeteria food.
I scanned the hallways thoroughly, making sure no one noticed me slink through the janitor's closet. Was nothing ever locked at this school? This was the only time I was glad that things weren't. I waited patiently for a few minutes. I peeked out from behind the door, just a bit. The halls seemed to be clear of staff and students. This could be my only chance to do what I was about to do. I carefully opened the closet all the way, tip-toed graciously across the hall over to Two-Bit's locker, yanked the tiny door open, emptied everything that was in there, caught each book in my arms, and darted like lightnin' back inside the janitor's closet. I shut the door even more swiftly. It was dark, but wouldn't be for long. I laid the materials out onto the floor. I reached into my back pocket and revealed the lighter. I clicked it open and pressed down on the lighty-mechanism. Bam, insta-fire!
I moved the glistening flame over to the books and held it there for a brief moment. My eyes sparkled as I admired the flame some. Then, without another second's hesitation, I stuck the flame directly under the corner of one book. I watched as the tiny flame grew bigger and wider. It moved from one book to another before all of them went up in flames. I didn't realize that the flames had already blocked the door, hindering me from escaping. My heard began to pound within my chest. I had never set anything on fire before. I wasn't sure what would happen!
The flames moved from the books onto the janitor's things on the shelves. The smoke began to consume the room, making it difficult to breath. I started to choke. I was frightened as I ever.
"Help!" I screamed helplessly while pounding on the walls of the closet. The heat of the flames had me sweatin' in an instant. I regretted playing this prank. Two-Bit was right, I had no idea how to pull one off the right way. Now, I was paying the price.
"Someone, please help!" I howled, frantically.
Suddenly I heard screams coming from the hallway. Finally!
"Fire!" I heard individuals yell from one side of the hall to the other.
"In here!" I called out, but no one seemed to hear me. The flame was crawling up the door. Sounds of crackling made me realize that the fire had spread to the outside hallway. There was no chance of finding help now.
Tears streamed down my face, I didn't want to die, not like this!
The flames roared around the closet, cornering me to one side of the closet. I couldn't move, if I did, I'd be toast, literally!
Pieces of ceiling started to crumble and fall all around me. This whole place was about to cave in, and no one would ever be able to recognize my charred remains once this was all over with.
"I'm not gonna die, I'm not gonna die, I'm not gonna die!" I repeated those words over and over again. With each statement, the fire advanced in my direction.
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't scream for help anymore. This was it. The end.
I turned to face the wall to protect my face and other vital body parts. The tears began to sting my cheeks because the fire was heating them up so much. I trembled, hoping if I was gonna die that it would just happen already.
"Charlie?" I heard a familiar voice on the opposite side of the flames.
"I'm here!" I called out in the loudest voice I could.
A figure emerged from the flames.
"Two-Bit!" I couldn't have been any happier to see him.
"Come on!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the flames.
I still found it hard to breathe. I glanced behind me and saw the flames devouring the hallway and each classroom. Everyone seemed to be out already. I gasped more and more the longer I ran.
My hand slipped from Two-Bit's and I collapsed onto the ground in a painful heap. I felt him pick me up and throw me into his arms. My whole body throbbed and burned. He saved me, my brother saved me!
I opened my eyes half-way once again, "I'm sorry." I muttered faintly, "I did this." The last part of my sentence was cut short because at that moment I lost consciousness and it all went dark.