Fury by Shirley Marr Read Free Book Online

deem to be sufficient punishment for Miss Boans?”
    Now hang on. I’m pretty sure this wasn’t in our School Charter.
    “I don’t wish to pass judgement or participate in hearsay…”
    “Go on,” said Principal Hollerings.
    “I believe Miss Boans holds a personal dislike of the canteen. She believes the food is lacking for her tastes. Perhaps her efforts can be directed to helping … improve the service?”
    Principal Hollerings turned to me. “Indeed Miss Boans, is that true?”
    “The canteen is a complete load of—”
    “Then it is decided. Miss Boans, you will give up your lunch breaks and serve one week as canteen assistant.”
    “But—!”
    “Is there anything further Miss Ayres?”
    “I think Miss Boans should be transferred to another History class.”
    “Done!”
    If Principal Hollerings had a little wooden hammer, he would be smacking it down and shouting “Sold! One Miss Eliza Boans to the nasty plastic blonde on the right!”
    Principal Hollerings folded his arms happily. “You are all dismissed now.”
    “Mr Carter—”
    But Mr Carter turned away from me.
    I stared from Principal Hollerings, looking pleased with himself behind his desk, to Mr Carter with his cold shoulder toward me and Jane Ayres with the smile on her face that said all her Christmases had come at once. I turned and stormed out of the office.
    I almost knocked Neil over. Well, more like I almost knocked myself out on him.
    Every time I thought of Neil, in my head he’s always five years old and, inexplicably, blond. And not so tall. Things have obviously changed. I took off without a word.
    “Wait for me!” shouted Lexi as I hurried past. “Seeya, Neil.”
    “Seeya Alex … and Eliza,” he added softly.
    Lexi caught me by the elbow. “What was all that about?”
    “Crap! I’ve been kicked out of Carter’s class.”
    “So what does this have to do with Jane Ayre-head?”
    “Absolutely nothing. And yet they let her decide everything! I can’t believe it.”
    “You did break the rules and skip school, though,” said Lexi. “I guess you can’t argue against that.”
    “Yeah, I know,” I sighed.
    “So you’ll have to switch to Mr Gubler’s class? Apparently he’s so boring that he even bores himself to sleep. They can’t afford to jeopardise your marks. You need to get your mum onto this.”
    “My mother’s gone interstate for two weeks and didn’t think to tell me. I had to find out through Principal Hollerings. You reckon she will care what teacher I do or don’t have for History?”
    Lexi became quiet.
    “And even worse, I have canteen duty. For a week!”
    “I’m sorry,” said Lexi and she put her arm over my shoulder.
    “Maybe you’ll get to do your detention with Neil. I tell you what, he’s got some major unresolved issues. Remind me again why we’re still friends with him?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Neil is your friend, really. Not ours. Maybe you should drop him.”
    “Maybe,” I said.
    I don’t know. He’s been our friend— my friend —forever. Maybe it’s because our parents knew each other before we did; maybe ’cos we were born three days apart. Maybe it’sbecause we’re both Sagittarians. Maybe it’s in the stars. It could be one of many things. Neil is just … Neil. Even if he’s a little tapped in the head.
    “First class is English Lit. Yay. Come on, let’s go,” said Lexi and she pulled me into a right turn.
    ***
    “Alexandria— Lexi —sounds like a very close friend,” says Dr Fadden, stating the obvious. He pauses for confirmation.
    “Lexi is my best friend,” I reply and I rub my eyes hard with balled-up fists. “I know she is still here. I just know it. Can I please talk to her, or at least pass a message to her?”
    “No,” replies Dr Fadden. “Not after what happened in the kitchen before. You will have to work with me, just like you are doing right now, to regain my trust. Then maybe you might get something in return.”
    I can’t believe