The Heist

The sound of birds chirping woke me up from a wonderful sleep. I ripped the covers off and stepped out of bed, one lazy foot at a time. Opening my curtains just a little, I could see the quiet road outside my house which was still wet with dew from last night’s rain. As I pulled my school clothes on and got my schoolbag ready I heard my mom call from downstairs,

“Hurry up Treyson or you’re going to be late!”

I glanced at the yellow file on my bedside table. I picked it up and flicked through the contents to a letter that had the word “SUSPENDED” in big red letters.

“Are you listening to me young man, don’t make me come up the-“

“Yes mom I’m on my way!” I called back as I stuffed the file in my backpack and ran down the stairs.

____________________________________________________________________

So, I know what you’re thinking. Treyson you’re suspended so:

Why are you going to school?

Why doesn’t your mom seem to know?

And 

3.  Why is Zach walking with you?…okay I didn’t mention Zach so you probably didn’t ask point number three but you get the point! 

But, to answer your previous questions let’s just say…there’s this girl. I think that says enough.

“Dude, you know we’re so lame for this right?” said Zach through a mouthful of crips.

“First of all there is no ‘we’re’, ” I said, a little annoyed, “I’m breaking into the school to retrieve my letter and then we’re going to celebrate.” I said with a grin as I handed him another crisp.

“Well it’s not really breaking in which is why it’s lame,” Zach replied as he accepted my crisp and crunched loudly on it, “and it’s a school of all places? Like come on, if you’re gonna choose such a boring place then couldn’t you do it at night so it looks cool?”

“Uh no that would the defeat the whole element of blending in,” I snapped as I rolled my eyes and checked my watch “This isn’t all fun and games Zach, I need that list back if I ever want a chance of finding my Malva Girl so we’re gonna do it in the easiest hassle-free way possible.”

We crossed over the familar bridge a few meters away from Sycamore High. I paused halfway as I looked in the distance towards the school gates.

Is this really a good idea? I mean sure, all I’m doing is pretending to go to class and then leaving. Nothing criminal. But…it still feels-

“You want me to go with you?” asked Zach.

His question pulled me back to reality, “Wait what?”

“It’ll make it easier,” he said, patting me on the back.

“Yeah but-“

“Think of it like this: you’re going inside a place you aren’t allowed in. I’m going inside a place I’m not allowed in…what’s the difference?” he said, with a mischievous grin.

“Yeah, but I’m actually a student at the school. You aren’t-“

“Well, technically we both aren’t until this changes,” he countered, holding up the yellow file with my suspension letter inside.

“Wait, hey how did you-“

He handed the file back to me before continuing on the path.

“And if you aren’t convinced,” he called to me as the distance between us grew, “I’m a way better thief than you clearly!”

Okay, well he’s got me there.

“Fine!” I shouted, running up to catch up with him, “But keep your voice down will you!” I said as I ruffled his hair and ran ahead of him.

“Oi, cut it out!” he shouted as we raced towards the school building together.

____________________________________________________________________

Time: 10:53 am (about 7 minutes before lunch break)

Location: Sycamore High (my high school if you have a five second memory!)

Objective: Locate the list.

Project ‘Papers’ was underway, and things were looking up for us. We successfully managed to hide out in the boys’ bathrooms til’ lunch and so far so good. Passing the time by playing cards and guessing whether or not the people in the cubicle next to us were urinating or p-

“Okay they don’t need to know that!” hissed Zach, as he grabbed the phone from me and continued the recording.

Sorry for that, Agent Bowels is a little delusional today-

“That’s not my name! It’s Agent T the Almighty, remember!” I hissed back, interrupting him.

“Yeah but no one calls you that, genius.”

“And no one calls me Treyson Bowels!”

“Well technically…”

“Can we stop talking about that?!”

Suddenly the door to the bathroom opened, something we were used to by now, but as we crouched down in our cubicle we heard not, not two but twenty boys’ footsteps entering!

Oh great, it’s lunch break!

We looked at each other with the same worried look in our eyes as the stampede of desperate boys stormed into the cubicles.

Sycamore High had only one half-an-hour lunch break on Friday, so there was ALWAYS a high demand for the bathroom at this time!

“Dude it’s my turn!” said a voice from outside.

“Hey, cut it out!” said another.

“Are they always like this?” whispered Zach.

“Yeah…you should see how they act at the cafeteria…” I whispered back.

Suddenly there was a knock on our cubicle door, “Hey, are you done yet?You’ve been in there forever!”

Does it look like I’m done! Seriously these guys are animals…wait, what am I supposed to do now! Okay just keep calm Agent T, all I gotta do is think of an excuse, I’m great at those!

I swallowed, mustering up my best impression of an ill person before calling out in a sickly voice, “I- ohhh! My stomach is sore!” I said, pretending to groan in pain.

“I think I have-“

“Tuberculosis, and it’s highly highly contagious-“ came another sickly voice next to me followed by a few coughs.

“Wait, what! Guys, someone get the nurse this guy has Turbocoolosister-something!”

“Tuberculosis! Everybody out!”

“Every man for themselvessssss!”

“Wait did someone say tuberculosis? Not to worry, we’ll only catch it if we spend prolonged periods of time he-”

Just as quickly as they got in, the hoard of delusional boys rushed out of the bathroom, taking with them all the sane ones too. I waited a few seconds before their voices were out of earshot before punching Zach on the arm.

“Ow what was that for?” he said, finally letting the laugh he was holding in for so long come to the surface.”

“Tuberculosis? Really?? You almost ruined everything!”

“Oh come on Trey, live a little!” he laughed as he slapped me on the back and unlocked the cubicle, “If anything, I’d say I did you a huge favour,” he said as he swung the door open in a flamboyant manner before bowing down and stretching his arms out like a butler, “After you, Agent Bowels.”

A boy’s voice spoke up before I could even open my mouth, “Who the heck are you?? You’re not from our school!”

Way to go Zach!

“Um I uh have Tuberculosis! Ahh help!” he said, coughing like a maniac.

“The rumours are true!” shouted the little kid as he scrambled out of the bathroom.

It was my turn to laugh now.

“Okay okay well done Agent Z, but next time check if the coast is clear before showing off,” I chuckled as I picked up my bag and walked out of the bathroom, making sure to scan the hallway before opening the door and motioning for Zach to follow.

“Well at least he didn’t see you, right? Otherwise that would’ve looked so much-“

“Let’s not go there,” I said, interrupting him as I took a left and continued walking down the hall.

Based on my last encounter with the Student Council, their meeting room should be right around here. I’m not sure how their meeting schedules work but I do know that when they do meet everyone’s inside which is gonna make it pretty hard to complete Project Paper. I’d hate to turn back right now, especially after we’ve already come so far…I really hope it doesn’t come to that!

“Alright, I’m pretty sure around this corner is the student council room. The plan is to slip inside, slip out and then get that paper. We’ll deal with any cameras and guards when we see em’ okay?…” I waited for Zach’s input as I peered around the corner.

“Zach?”

As I turned around I was greeted with not one, not two but three teachers including the principal! Rats!

I moved into a subtle brisk walk before taking the corner and breaking into a sprint. As I did so I realised right ahead of me was the school grounds, full of students. I could still hear the teachers’ voices closing in on me. I scrambled around like a headless chicken, looking for somewhere to go, only to see the student council room right infront of me.

No no no no no! Where do I go now? There’s nowhere to turn and I can’t afford to be seen by my teachers OR students! I’m just not sure where to go? The student council room? What if someone’s in there? There’s just no time to check…and where on Earth is Zach?? Darn, maybe I should’ve just stayed at home…

Wise words by Treyson Baller, but will they be his last?

Gee, thanks for staying positive Mr Narrator.

You’re welcome.

That was meant to be sarcastic.

So many questions but so little time, catch all the exciting action next time on Eh…Malva Girl? Chapter 6:…A Book and its Cover