“Ms. McCutcheon did your skirt not fit.”

“No it did I’m just not wearing it.”

She peers down at me over her glasses and squints her eyes at me. She is a massive woman with frail yellow hair. She looks intimidating but I’m used to intimidating so I didn’t mind.

“I find it interesting that you decided that you make the rules here.”

I just give her a smug look in return. She goes to the phone and dials a number. Next thing I know Ms. Morales enters the office and she looks stunning but flustered. She looks uncomfortable in front of Ms. Kroll.

“Carmen. Did you see Shane before she left the premises this morning?”

Her name is Carmen. It sounds so pretty and the name fits the person in front of me. Her gaze falls on me and my attire.

“No, I didn’t Phyllis.”

“Well the students in your section are your responsibility and I expect you to take care of them. It is your job to make sure that they dress in the way that is doctrined by the school laws.”

“Shane I expect you to put on your skirt immediately.”

“And what if I don’t want to.”

I ask and I can hear Carmen take an intake of breath like she is bracing for an attack. Sister Kroll moves from around her desk and bends down into my face.

“I know why you are here. You have caused shame to your father and he has given me permission to do all that I can to make sure you are in order. You are a disgrace to him and he wants nothing to do with you. I will make your life here a living hell and he won’t even bat an eyelash. You will wear your skirt and that is final do you understand me?”

I’ll admit it hurt to hear her tell me how much my father doesn’t care. It’s not like I didn’t already know that but to hear it come from her mouth hurts.

“Fine” I say and storm out of the room.

“Shane. Wait up.”

I turn and Ms. Morales is jogging toward me.

“Don’t mind her she is just very high strung.”

“A bitch is more like it.”