What The Fire Left Behind

“I didn’t know I was gonna break his nose. I didn’t mean it,” I said, standing in the Principal’s office, with blood drying against my uniform.

“Why did you get in a fight in the first place?” Principal Carman asked.

“Because he was picking on Kelly.”

“Well, did Kelly complain to you?”

I stiffened before I replied,

“She doesn’t need to. I have eyes. You think she’d admit it if I asked? That’s what bullies do.”

Principal Carman let out a slow breath.

“I’m sorry, Miss Maddox but I can’t condone this kind of behavior. I’ll have to call your mother and ask you to pack your things.”

My chest tightened. “Please… just one last chance. I promise, this is the last time.”

“I’ve given you plenty of last chances,” she said, shaking her head. “At this point, I’d be breaking school policy if I let this slide again.”

She paused, as she studied me.

“You’re a very bright girl, Juno,” she continued softly, “but I’m afraid you’re heading down a path that won’t end well. And maybe… maybe you won’t learn unless something stops you.”

I stared at the floor, at the faint smudge of blood on my sleeve.

He deserved worse. People like him won't stop unless someone makes them.

“I understand, ma’am,” I said quietly.

“You may go. I’ll call your mother and explain everything.”

I nodded and turned, leaving the office with a heavy chest, that I won't quite classify as guilty or remorse for what I did.

The hallway was almost empty, most students already gone. My footsteps echoed as I made my way back to class.

When I stepped in, James was still there, with a few of his friends. His girlfriend hovered over him, dabbing at his broken nose with a wad of tissue.

He looked up the second I walked in, his glare sharp.

I ignored him, walking straight to my desk and grabbing my bag.

“This isn’t the end, Maddox, You'll pay for what you've done.” he called after me, with a hint of anger in his voice.

I didn’t respond to him. I didn't want to make things worse by adding anger to my already pent up emotions.

My walk home was longer than usual.

I could’ve taken the bus, but I didn't have the energy to be surrounded by people.

The scorching sun beat down on me, heat clinging to my skin, but I barely noticed because my head was still full. I can't believe I just got expelled. Again.

When I got home, my head was pounding and my clothes began to cling to my skin and I was getting uncomfortable. I should have just taken the bus.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I heard Mom snap as I opened the door.

“I can’t keep dealing with this,” a man’s voice fired back. One of her many boyfriends or husbands. I didn’t even know anymore.

I stepped in quietly, their voices trailing from the kitchen.

“It’s always something new with her. You never know what she’s up to. She’s either skipping class, picking fights, or worse.”

“She’s a young girl, she’s just going through a phase.”

“A phase? She just got expelled and broke a boy’s nose. What’s next? Robbing the neighbors?”

“Don’t talk about my daughter like that,” Mom shot back.

“All I’m saying is your daughter is too much chaos. She’s a whole problem on her own, and I’m done dealing with it. I expect you to handle it,” he snapped. “Because I’m not sticking around for this.”

I moved quietly past the living room, heading straight for my room before they noticed I was back.

I shut the door quietly behind me and dropped my bag, collapsing onto the bed as tears builded behind my eyes while I stared up at the ceiling.

Moments like this always made me miss Dad. I hated it. Because there was nowhere else to go. No one to turn to.

I blinked hard, forcing the tears back.

I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore. It only made me weaker. I just needed to focus on something else.

I stood up, taking off my bloodstained uniform, and headed to the bathroom. I turned on the shower, letting the warm water run before stepping in the tub.

I didn’t know how long I stayed there, but by the time I came out, my skin was wrinkled and the sky outside had already dimmed. I changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, then picked up my stained uniform. I shoved it into a nylon bag, grabbed a lighter, and stepped out.

The house was quiet now as I walked to the backyard. I pulled the uniform out, dropping it into a small heap on the ground before lighting it on fire. I watched quietly as the fire caught the clothes little by little before it engulfed in flames.

I didn’t know what it was about the fire that caught my attention, but I couldn’t look away. The way it crackled and grew into flames as the smoke made its way up.

It reminded me of that night many years ago. The night I lost everything. I could still remember the screams and cries of help. My eyes blurry through the thick black smoke as we tried to make it out. All I remembered was being carried and halfway before we made our way out to safety, I heard a loud crash, we both fell down and I managed to make my way out by it was too late.

That night felt like…

“Juno?”

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts.

“Mom?” I called.

She stepped into view, still in her robe because she's been at home all day and didn't even bother.

“What are you doing?” She asked as she looked at the burning pile. “Is that your uniform?” she asked. “You couldn’t wait 24 hours, could you? At least see if they’ll take you back.”

“They won’t,” I said, my eyes still on the flames.

“Why did you do it?”

“I don’t know. I was just… mad. I acted on impulse.”

She was quiet for a moment, before she said…

“Pack your bags.”

“What?” I asked surprised.

“I said pack your bags. Everything you need. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Why?... Did Tom chase us out?” I asked.

“You heard us right?” she sighed. “Don’t mind Tom. He’s all bark, no bite.” She paused before continuing.

“It’s just… I don’t think any school here will take you again. This is your final year, Juno, and you’ve already been expelled. This is the third school in five years. I don’t think you understand how serious this is.”

“Do I even need to go to school?” I muttered.

“No!” she snapped. “I am not doing this again. You need to go to school.”

She paused, her voice lowering slightly. “You have to… that’s what your dad wanted.”

I looked away. “But…”

“No, Juno. I don’t want to hear it. Go to your room and pack your things.”

She turned to leave, then stopped.

“And turn that off before the neighbors start complaining.”

Then she walked away.