2 Restroom Encounter

My finger tapped repeatedly on my desk, creating a soft drumming sound as Mr. Mark blabbled on about ancient history and other random topics. How would I know? I wasn't even paying attention. History was one of my least favorite subjects. I never understood it, and I had never managed to get a grade higher than a C.

"Psst…" Matilda, seated beside me, called my attention. Her whisper barely reached my ears. I turned to face her, raising an eyebrow in response.

"You were dozing off," she whispered, concern in her voice. I hadn't even realized I had drifted off. Well, what did you expect? That's how much I despised history. But if Matilda noticed, there was a chance Mr. Mark did too, and getting on his bad side was not a pleasant idea.

I raised my right hand, catching Mr. Mark's attention. His face, with its overgrown beard and scrutinizing brow, turned towards me. His rounded glasses made his eyes appear larger, and his pants were pulled up to his waist, cinched by his trusty black belt. The protruding belly completed his weird appearance. He was that odd looking teacher, but nobody dared utter a word about it in his presence.

"How can I help you, miss…" he said, his voice dry and scrunched.

"Piper," I completed, keeping my voice low. "I need to use the restroom," I offered my usual excuse to leave his class, allowing myself some time alone.

He paused, seemingly contemplating my request, and wiggled his nose as if deep in thought. "You are excused," he finally declared, turning back to his textbook.

I signaled Matilda that I was leaving, and a hint of disappointment was written on her face. She, too, probably wished to for a way out but lacked a good enough excuse. I quietly slipped out of the classroom, making my way down the empty hallway until I reached the entrance to the female restroom.

As I entered, the familiar scent of disinfectant filled my nostrils. I approached the sink and turned the tap, allowing the cold water to flow. Cupping my hands, I scooped some water and splashed it onto my tired face, it was refreshing and I was now wide awake.

Just what I needed, now to wait here a little longer.

I sighed, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My ponytail had come undone, so I loosened my hairband, allowing my hair to fall freely around my shoulders. With a gentle touch, I rearranged my hair, securing it back into a neat ponytail.

I walked into one of the cubicles to use the restroom, but just as I was about to open the door, I heard familiar voices, and not the ones I wanted to hear.

"Why did you do that?" Jake's voice, filled with anger, rang out. It was a side of him I hadn't seen before.

"Stop following me, Jake!" Samantha yelled, their argument heating up. This was another side of them I hadn't witnessed.

"I'm tired of this relationship. I need something more exciting," Samantha declared, and that caught my attention. Weren't they just acting all lovey-dovey last week? As I suspected, this was all just a game to them. I leaned closer to eavesdrop.

"You can't do this to me, Samantha. You know how much you mean to me," Jake's voice sounded genuine, but it was hard to believe. It's Jake, after all.

"That's exactly it!" Samantha snapped back. "That's exactly the problem. Why are you suddenly being so cheesy and using cringy words? You've lost your edge, Jake. I need someone who excites me, and I won't settle for less." This was where I got completely lost. So she didn't want to be with him because he was... too sweet? I couldn't understand it. I guess I'll never comprehend rich people.

"Well, I'll prove you wrong. Anything you want, just name it," Jake replied, determination evident in his voice.

"Forget it, Jake. I've found someone better. You can have any girl in this school at the snap of your fingers." she said in her usual high pitched voice.

So annoying.

"Then how do I explain it to my parents? How will they react?" Jake's tone shifted to a calmer one.

"I broke up with you, Jake. My parents won't have a problem with that," Samantha declared. I heard their footsteps fading away until they became faint.

Were they finally gone?

"Agh!" I statled almost hitting my head on the wall as a make wailing in anguish echoed through the restroom. It was followed by banging on the door, my door, the one separating me from the outside. Of all places, they had to have their lovers' quarrel in the girls' restroom.

The banging stopped, replaced by heavy panting and gentle sobbing. Was he crying? I took slow steps backward, almost slipping and losing my balance. Fate seemed to be against me as I accidentally hit the flush control. The sound of water gushing down the toilet filled the restroom, followed by complete silence.

I swallowed nervously, realizing there was no reason to stay hidden anymore. My heart raced, but why was I scared? I hadn't done anything wrong in the first place.

I unlocked the door with a click and slowly turned the handle, opening it to find an angry-looking Jake standing right in front of me.

Great... Just great. All I wanted was to leave history class, and now it seemed I was about to become a part of a of history.