An Inconvenience

"Can I go to the toilet?"

The teacher smiled that "sorry but no" smile, a slight tilt of the head, a faux-pained look.

"Please, Miss! I'm desperate!"

Esme wiggled from one leg to the other for emphasis.

"As soon as Natasha comes back."

Esme sagged, abandoning the theatrics and moving back to her seat.

Another girl approached the desk. "Please Miss, Natasha's been ages and I'm on my period, Miss."

The teacher frowned at her watch. Natasha had been ages, that was true.

"Okay, Dani," she said. "Wait a few more minutes, and if she's still not back, you can go. But you have to be quick! I mean it. Two minutes! Several people are waiting now. I can't let more than one go at a time."

When the bell went, she swept out of the classroom and hurried to the restrooms. Natasha might have left there long since, but it was worth a try.

She was already concocting what she was going to say. This is ridiculous. Unacceptable! Yes that was it. Something about trust, and valuing time.

She greeted the member of staff on duty. "You haven't seen Natasha Edwards, have you?"

"'Fraid not. Mind, I've only just got here, and there's already someone in the end cubicle."

It could be some other girl in there. Only just sat down. I won't disturb her. Still... I'll wait a bit. Just in case.

Minutes ticked by. Soon, everyone would have purchased their break-time snacks and it'd be packed in here. Miss Davis stepped up to the door and knocked.

"Sorry to disturb you," she said, tone brisk, "but you've been in there a while and we just need to check you're alright."

No reply.

She rapped again, more sharply, urging whoever it was to answer. There was no giggling, no sighing, no movement. The women exchanged a Look, each seeing her mounting concern reflected back at her.

The other girls, disgruntled, were firmly shooed out. When the door was opened, the sight was ghastly: Natasha lolling sideways on the seat, eyes glassy and lifeless, foamy vomit down her front.

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Word count: (excluding note): 366

Submitted on: 30th April at 23:28

*Quick Author's Note*

First, and most importantly: thank you for reading!

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes an 121 day streak since the 1st January. I can't believe I've come this far! I'm collating them all here.

Prompts: My unofficial April Challenge (Fucked Up Fairytales) is closed now! But if you'd like some more prompts to get your creative juices flowing, I've linked to a list of prompts for April.

Thank you

Thank you again! Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you 😁

I do my best to reciprocate as many reads as possible. If you leave me a comment, that makes it much easier. I'm behind at the moment, but I am catching up!