I regret last night.
The taste of the vodka still lingered in my mouth. I knew I shouldn't have drank so much— but seriously, who brings alcohol to a school party?
Racing up the stairs, my heart pounding heavily as I made my way through the stairs my body heaving against the cold thick air.
It was november so this cold was expected.
Third floor. Just two more to go and I'll finally reach my destination.
Almost at the fourth floor, I froze.
Voices echoed down the hallway—two girls locked in a heated argument just right by the bathroom. I ducked behind the stair railing, peeking out just enough to see them. I couldn't make out their words, but their anger was clear.
Great.
The last thing I needed was witnesses.
I noticed someone else too, a figure peering from the washroom door beside the stairs.
It was the janitor, a middle-aged blonde man.
He just stood there listening to all the drama and looked as if interested.
I didn't pay any heed to him anyway.
Time was slipping away. Fifteen minutes left to reach the fifth floor, grab what I needed, and get to class.
I needed a plan.
The mask and cap.
Crouched on the steps, I quietly unzipped my bag, pulled on my mask and cap, and grabbed my phone. I took a deep breathe and moved.
"I know, I know. I'm on my way to get it. You don't have to make such a big deal,"
I said loudly, pretending to argue with someone on the phone. I strode past the arguing girls—who barely glanced at me—and the janitor, who eyed me with suspicion for a second but his focused shifted back on to the girls.
"Yes, yes, I'm almost there. Stop yelling,"
I continued, keeping up the act as I slipped onto the fifth floor. My breath came in short bursts as I made my way through the dim hallway which was totally empty.
Thank god!!
It was quite dark compared to the other floors and the air there was musty and smelled of mud and old ware due to the lack of ventilation.
There weren't any working light bulbs or other appliances, just a bunch of broken items here and there.
"Class 2, class 2," I muttered, scanning the doors through the hallway until I found it. I opened the creaking door slowly and slipped inside the empty classroom, searching frantically until I spotted them: the shoes. White, with a blue Nike swoosh. I stuffed them into my bag, mask and cap still on, and double-checked that I was alone.
My phone buzzed.
It was June.
"Did you get it?!"
"Yes, I got it. I'll call you back. I need to get out of here first," I whispered, hanging up.
New mission: get to class in five minutes without being seen.
Suddenly I heard a loud banging noise which caught me off guard and I almost shrieked.
It was the door.
God!! I sighed loudly. I hoped this noise won't attract anyone above here. If anyone saw me here, I'm dead.
It was a little odd as to why the door banged like as if the wind did it. I checked for any open windows but couldn't find any.
That was not my concern at the point though so I just shrugged it off.
Retracing my steps, I crept down the deserted fifth floor—which was technically closed to everyone, and nobody knows why.
Some said it's under construction but I'm sure I don't see any of it right now and nobody is allowed here at all.
The real danger waited below. The fourth floor would be crawling with students. If anyone spotted me, I'd be in deep trouble—maybe even expelled.
Still, I managed to slip down to the third floor and then to the second floor, where my classroom was. Relief washed over me as I hurried down the stairs. I glanced at the clock and yeah I was late which meant more homework for sure.
I knocked on the classroom door.
"Might as well skip class, then, Ms. Kang,"
I heard my teacher say, her voice sharp.
"I'm sorry. I got caught up with something. It won't happen again,"
I lied, fixing my skirt and ducked my head as Ms. Sinclar motioned me to my seat.
As soon as I sat down, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Ofcourse it was her. I'll deal with her later. For now, I just needed to catch up and stay calm.
If anyone found out I was on that forbidden floor-
I don't even want to imagine what'll happen.