Katie's Box Chapter 3. Silence is Golden.
By J A Evans
- 1116 reads
Katie's Box Chapter 3. Silence is Golden.
Jane hurtled into the classroom slamming the door behind her and trying to keep Belinda on the other side. Her heart pounded hard in her chest as she put her full weight against the door to try and stop it from opening. She didn't want to be hit again and her whole body shook with fear at the thought.
The door began to open slowly, inch by inch, as the brute on the other side pushed on it. Jane tried with all her might to keep it shut, but slowly her feet began to slip.
Suddenly, letting the door fly open with a thud, Jane ran towards the back of the room, pulling over several chairs along the way.
"Come here. shouted Belinda as she ran around the fallen seats now scattered on the floor. Diving at Jane and catching her by the sleeve of her cardigan, Jane pulled at the sleeve frantically trying to free herself. The knot of fear in her stomach rose into her chest and she felt sick as she fought desperately to escape from Belinda's grip. The cardigan sleeve stretched as Belinda pulled it towards her, but then Jane's arm slipped out of the sleeve, twirling around on the spot, she manage to free her other arm and left Belinda standing with the empty cardigan in her hand and ran towards the back of the classroom.
But Belinda was not about to give up, "Come here. she demanded.
Sangeeta's foot was in the wrong place as Belinda rushed by chasing her frightened prey; suddenly Belinda tripped over the foot and landed face down on the floor. She lay for a moment, as the rest of the class held their breath and waited for her reaction. Belinda glared at Sangeeta's now pale face as she crawled back towards her; and hit the offending foot hard with her large fist.
"What do you think your doing you fat elephant, keep your big feet out of my way. hissed Belinda aggressively.
Sangeeta howled with pain as she rubbed the front of her foot, but Belinda took no notice, heaving herself up on Tammie's chair and tipping both it and Tammie onto the floor Belinda laughed manically and carried on with the game.
The tiny girl darted around the room trying to evade the swinging bag, which Belinda now aimed violently at both her head and body. Jane jumped up onto a chair and then onto the top of the table in the middle of the classroom. Leaping over the bag as Belinda swung it at her feet she could see no way out.
How she hated Belinda, she was always punching her in the arm or pulling her hair. Looking apprehensively at the door she wished that a teacher would come in. Belinda was not going to stop until she caught her. Her eyes darted back and forth, first to Belinda and then to the door and now staring at the red contorted face in front of her, panting breathlessly, Jane tried to keep as far away as possible. Trying to outwit the enemy, Jane attempted to get back out through the open door, but every time she moved one-way, Belinda would move and block the route with her large body.
"Come here, come here now¦ I wont hurt you. bellowed Belinda pushing her blonde hair out of her eyes and banging fiercely on the table with both hands, "honest Jane, I only want to see your bracelet, you showed it to Katie, go on show it to me. she whined childishly.
"No, I can't my mum told me that I'm not to take it off, she'll kill me if I do, I can't.
"I'll kill you if you don't. said Belinda wiping her sweaty brow on her sleeve.
"You took my necklace the last time. said Jane pathetically as she pushed the gold bangle up her arm and pulled her shirtsleeve down over her hand.
"You gave me that necklace, you know you did. said Belinda indignantly.
"No I didn't; you took it, and then you told Miss Craig that I gave it to you.
"Are you calling me a liar?
"No, but you were supposed to give me it back.
"You're not getting it back, said Belinda pointedly, "I'm keeping it and there's nothing you can do about it. she said as she dived onto the table.
"No, you can't have it. said Jane jumping off the table and standing opposite Belinda.
Belinda tried chasing her around the table twice, but this was too much like hard work and so changing the tone of her voice Belinda said pathetically, "I'll give you it back, I only want to look at it, go on, pleasssse¦
"I've heard that before. said Jane courageously, dashing to the other side of the table again as Belinda tried to grab hold of her arm.
"Oh leave it Belinda. shouted Mary irritably from the front of the classroom.
Jane ran to hide behind a group of girls who were standing with Mary. Holding onto Mary's arm and using her as a shield, Jane evaded the swinging bag, but then it hit Mary in the stomach and sent her reeling towards the floor.
Belinda stopped in her tracks.
"Oops, sorry Mary. she said as she tried to help the winded girl up from the floor.
"Leave me alone before I clout you. spat Mary furiously.
"I didn't mean to honest, Mary. whinged Belinda.
Mary pushed her away from her aggressively and went to sit down in the chair next to the teacher's desk. Jane sneaked around the back of the crowd who were telling Mary to get her own back on Belinda after school, or at least tell on her and get her into trouble.
"That wasn't my fault, she got in the way. said Belinda arrogantly, as she sat at the teacher's desk, forgetting about Jane and straightening her long blonde hair. Glaring at the girls, she began opening and shutting the drawers in the desk and then she started banging her hands along the top of the desk, trying to drum out a beat, but instead making a terrible din.
"Who are you? demanded Belinda as a small grey haired woman in a brown suit entered the room.
"I'm Miss Murphy. I'm sorry I'm late girls, I've only just found out that I have to cover this lesson, she said, placing a large pile of books and a set of worksheets down on top of the teacher's desk. Turning to Belinda, she held onto the teachers chair and said. "Get off of there and sit in your own seat please, and stop making such a noise.
"What do you mean noise; I'm not making any noise. said Belinda as she looked the woman up and down rudely and added, "your not my teacher, you're not Miss Jones, where is she?
"Very observant dear, said the woman sarcastically and picking up the register, "Miss Jones will not be in for a few lessons and as I just said, I have been asked to cover for her. NOW GO AND SIT DOWN! she shouted so loudly that it made half of the girls in the classroom jump.
"Ooo, listen to her, there's no need to shout you know Miss, you only have to ask nicely. said Belinda as she ambled towards the back of the room.
On reaching the back row of tables, she shoved Julie off her chair and took the seat she was sitting on for herself. Then slamming her blue bag on top of the table she began to rummage through it, pulling out her fluffy pink pencil case, a Top of the Hits magazine and her lip-gloss. After applying, the pink jell to her lips she began to search through her pockets. She smiled as she pulled out a stick of gum and taking the wrapper off, she threw the paper onto the floor and sat swinging on her chair, chewing the gum like a cow chewing on the cud.
Miss Murphy asked for quiet and most of the girls obliged.
"Get your books out girls. she ordered as she smiled and handed the textbooks and worksheets to two of the girls sitting in the front to give out.
"Miss, their in the cupboard over there. said Gina eagerly.
"What did you want to go and tell her that for? snarled Belinda from the back of the room.
The girl ignored Belinda, and handed out the small red books to the girls in the class, throwing Belinda hers and keeping as far away from her as possible.
Then the teacher began to read out the register, but half way through Belinda began answering, "Yes Miss, for every name called.
Miss Murphy walked to the back of the room.
"You're not helping girls¦ please¦ only answer for your own names. she said looking intently at Belinda, who looked up and said impertinently, "You talking to me?
Ignoring the child, she continued reading off the rest of the names.
Belinda's muffled voice from behind her magazine said, Yes Miss. as Miss Murphy called out Susan's name. Looking Belinda straight in the eye and slamming the register down on the table in front of her, Miss Murphy scowled at her and through clenched teeth said slowly, "I said answer only for your own name.
Belinda gave her a sickly smile and put the magazine back over her face.
"Open your books to page one hundred and two and I'll explain the worksheet girls.
The sheet was complicated and confusing. Half of the words in the word box were missing and some of the words along the left hand side of the page were blurred and not printed clearly. Eventually Miss Murphy wrote on the white board a set of things to do and told the girls to ignore the questions on the sheet and to use hers instead.
"Miss Jones won't like that Miss. said Belinda boldly.
"I'm sure that when Miss Jones sees this worksheet, that she will understand, now get on with it please. she said with a forced patience.
Belinda began to tap her pen on top of the desk, as she tried to fathom out what she had to do, but she hadn't been listening and so hadn't the faintest idea of what was going on.
Noticing that Belinda was not working, Miss Murphy moved towards her, and putting her hand on top of the tapping red and silver pen she said, "I said that you should answer the questions, if you read this section, she said tolerantly and pointing to the first paragraph on the page, "It will give you the answer to question one.
"I can't read Miss. said Belinda matter of factly pushing the book away.
"Come here. I'll read it for you. said the teacher as she bent closer.
"Don't believe her Miss, she can read. said Jenny from the row in front. She wasn't afraid of Belinda. Every lesson Belinda played up, every lesson she tried to get her own way. She was such an attention seeker and many of the girls were fed up with her, but there was nothing they could do, if they complained she would hit them at break time, she even punched Lucy on the nose one time after school, when she had told the teacher that Belinda had taken her crisps.
A week ago, four of them had been to Miss Craig to complain, but that hadn't worked, she told them that they would have to be kind and patient with her as she had some problems at home. What a stupid thing to say, why should they worry about her home life. They were more worried about how they could stop her from beating them up every day. The teachers didn't understand just how bad she actually was.
"Shut up Jenny, "shouted Belinda forcefully, "it's none of your damn business keep your big nose out of it, or else.
"Or else what? said Jenny defiantly.
"Or I'll smash your face in. she spat.
"Ooo I'm scared. said Jenny mockingly, poking out her tongue at her.
"You wait, you'll regret that, wait when I catch you. said Belinda threateningly.
"You couldn't catch a cold, even if you tried. said Jenny contemptuously as she turned back to her work.
Belinda's anger rose in her chest, she was not going to let her get away with that, but as she began to get up out of her seat, Miss Murphy pushed her forcefully back down by her shoulder.
"Oh no you don't girl, I suggest you read this. said Miss Murphy opening the book on the desk.
Belinda folded her arms, swung back on her chair and lent defiantly against the wall.
Miss Murphy wasn't going to try to force her to do the work, she knew it would just cause more problems, she had had enough, she walked back towards the teachers desk and taking a deep breath thought, "Spoilt brat, there's always one.
Belinda began to play with her necklace hanging out of her jumper, when all of the sudden the legs on her chair slipped from underneath her and she crashed onto the floor and laid there with her legs up in the air.
The class was in an uproar, many stood on their chairs trying to get a better look as she tried to scramble to her feet with her skirt up around her waist and as the girls in the class reeled with laughter, Jenny shouted in disgust,
"Err look she's showing her knickers.
Belinda went red in the face and wailed, "You wait, I'm going to tell my dad on you.
But then when she tried to get up, a pain shot through her spine, "Oh my back, my back Miss, I've done something to my back. she cried as she crawled on her hands and knees with her big bottom sticking up in the air. Pulling herself back up onto the chair, she sat on her chair snivelling and rubbing her back with one hand.
Miss Murphy was worried that Belinda may have actually done something to her back, but soon changed her mind, as Belinda kicked out her leg to catch Alicia on her shin for laughing at her.
"Stop it! You wouldn't be able to move if you had damaged your back Belinda, now get on with the work and stop making such a fuss.
"I can't do the work Miss, I have to rest my back.
"All right Belinda, why don't you put your head down and rest, go to sleep if you have to. said Miss Murphy, thankful for the opportunity for a bit of peace.
Gail put her hand up, and going over to sit next to her, Miss Murphy showed her the answers.
"It's not fair, you help her, but when I asked you to help, you don't help me. I have to do it all on my own, Belinda protested loudly.
"But you haven't even started Belinda, said Miss Murphy picking up the worksheet and pointing to the answer for Gail.
Belinda got out of her seat and walked towards the front of the class.
"Sit down Belinda. ordered Miss Murphy.
"But Miss, I need to sharpen my pencil.
"Sit down NOW. demanded the teacher, but as Belinda passed Jenny she pinched her on the arm viciously.
"Miss, tell Belinda she just pinched me. yelled the tiny girl pitifully.
"Ooo you liar, I haven't touched you. said Belinda innocently flicking her hair over her shoulder.
Jenny rubbed her arm and looked at the teacher, but unfortunately, she had not seen Belinda do anything and was now helping Lorraine who was having trouble with question number five.
Jenny kicked Belinda hard in the ankle.
"Miss, Miss, screamed Belinda as she hopped up and down holding onto her ankle.
"Jenny just kicked me. she screamed as she attacked Jenny by slapping her soundly around the face.
The two girls were suddenly on the floor pulling at each other's hair with a gang of girls bending over them and shouting in unison, "Fight, fight, fight.
The teacher flew towards the pair and was just in time to stop Jenny from punching Belinda squarely in the face. Pulling them apart and with an exasperated look on her face the teacher dragged Belinda by the arm and led her towards the door.
"Get back to your seats now. Miss Murphy screamed.
"I'm not going out, it's her fault she kicked me, why should I go, it's not fair. complained Belinda at the top of her voice.
"I think you need to go to the medical room. said the teacher picking up a piece of paper on Susan's desk, and scribbling a note to the school nurse, she handed it to Belinda.
"Oh, yes, said Belinda, "yes, I need her to look at my foot and my back. she moaned.
Without waiting to be asked, Katie ran to the back table and shoved Belinda's things into her blue bag and then like grease lightening she ran back and slung it onto Belinda's shoulder.
"Thank you dear. said Miss Murphy kindly.
Belinda hobbled out of the door holding her back, but shot an angry look at Jenny before leaving and shouted, "You wait I'll get you after school.
Shutting the door and returning to her seat Miss Murphy heaved a great sigh of relief as she sat back down in the chair and said thankfully, "Peace at last.
All was quiet and as the bell went to sound the end of the lesson, the girls packed up quietly and filed out of the room.
"Is she always like that? asked Miss Murphy to the last two girls going out of the door.
"Yes Miss, that's nothing really she can be worse, she never seems to run out of breath.
In the staff room, Miss Murphy sat at the table with a mug of tea cupped in her hands deep in thought. How could she deal with this girl? Could she have done something different and if so what? It was so difficult.
"What's up Samantha? asked Miss Craig, as she sat down beside her.
"I've just encountered your Belinda Bochard.
"She's not mine, I didn't give birth to her. said Miss Craig jokingly.
"How do you cope with her, she's so loud and wriggles out of work like a slimy toad.
"You don't cope with her; you have to be firm with her, said Mrs Thelma snobbishly, as she washed up her cup in the sink, "She doesn't move in my class.
"Yes, we know, no one dares to move in your class Sarah. said Miss Craig rolling her eyes, as Miss Murphy frowned.
"I know she's a handful and were trying to get her some extra support, but you know how long that takes. said Miss Craig softly; making sure that Mrs Thelma was not listening.
"So in the meantime, I'm stuck with her am I?
"I'm afraid so, said Miss Craig sympathetically, "try not to let her wind you up she's good at that.
The next day Miss Murphy was not looking forward to teaching Belinda again. She did not feel well, her throat was sore and her head was throbbing. Seeing a group of girls arguing in the corridor outside of Miss Jones's classroom, she groaned, she didn't have the energy to deal with this.
In the centre, Belinda had Katie in a headlock and Jenny and Mary were struggling to help free her.
Miss Murphy was on autopilot, pushing through the girls and into the fray she screeched, "What on earth do you think you are doing, let that girl go now. as she pulled Belinda's arms from around Katie's neck.
"It's only a bit of fun Miss, isn't it Katie. said Belinda now holding Katie around the shoulders and hugging the life out of her.
"I said let go of her; go on get into class, NOW.
"Shouting again Miss, you should know better than that, teachers aren't supposed to loose their temper, but then your not a very good teacher are you. said Belinda as she skipped off towards the classroom, hitting Jenny in the back with her bag and slapping Gail around the back of her head.
In the classroom, Miss Murphy went through the same routine and Belinda went through hers.
This time Belinda chased Annie around the classroom and answered the register for Betty and Charlotte, who were actually off sick.
After Miss Murphy finished explaining the work, Mary gave out the paper and Jill gave out the scissors and glue.
Belinda had no problem cutting out her labels, but gluing them onto the correct boxes on the second work sheet was difficult, and in frustration she suddenly blew up, "this is stupid primary school stuff. she said scathingly.
"I've already given you the answers Belinda, now think, I know you can do it if you really try. said the teacher encouragingly.
Belinda glued the first label on and was pleased when Miss Murphy praised her for getting it correct, but Belinda could only guess at the rest.
Looking sneakily over Lucy's shoulder and trying to see her answers, a large curl of Lucy's hair waved in front of her eyes, it was too tempting and she took her scissors and very carefully cut off the curl and caught it in her hand. Then sitting back in her seat, with an evil grin on her face, she began to play with the chestnut coloured strand of hair, by pulling it through her fingers.
"Miss, Miss, Belinda's just cut Lucy's hair. shouted Gail from the back of the classroom.
Belinda threw the evidence under the table and kicked it away with her foot.
"That's it! Come on, get out, get out now. How dare you cut someone else's hair, what do you think your playing at. demanded Miss Murphy pulling Belinda by the arm.
"Don't you touch me, Belinda said haughtily as she pulled her arm away, "you're not allowed to touch pupils; I'll get you done for child abuse.
"Get out and report to Miss Craig. said Miss Murphy, holding her head, which was now throbbing hard.
"No, you can't make me, you're not a real teacher you're only a cover teacher.
"I'm in charge of this class and you'll do as you're told.
"No I won't and you can't make me. said Belinda defiantly.
"Get out, get out now. said Miss Murphy as her face went purple and tears of anger began to well up in her eyes.
Belinda sat in her seat defiantly and began tapping her pen. "I'm not going anywhere and you can't make me, lah lah lah¦ lah¦ lah lah lah. she sang as she swung on her chair.
"For crying out loud Belinda, please be quiet. pleaded Miss Murphy, holding her hands over her ears as the sound seared through her brain making her temples hurt. Sitting down at the desk in the front, with Belinda still making a racket at the back of the classroom, she took off her glasses and began to rub her aching eyes and temples.
Belinda sat with a self-satisfied look on her face, as she began to tap her pen again.
The rest of the class felt sorry for Miss, but Belinda would not listen to their pleas to, stop it.
Belinda pushed the cut up pieces of paper on her table onto the floor and pulling out her More Hits magazine she began to flick through the pages.
"Look. she said to Jenny, as she showed her a bare chested boy wearing a red baseball cap, "Paul Transhard, isn't he wonderful. I've seen him on stage you know, at the Olympia. He's lovely; he threw me a kiss you know.
"He should have thrown you a sock, so you could put it into that fat mouth of yours, to shut you up. Mary quipped from the front of the classroom.
Belinda rolled her eyes to the ceiling and ceremoniously put the magazine up in front of her face and ignored the insult.
For a full five minutes, all was quiet as Belinda studied her new magazine.
Miss Murphy looked at the clock on the wall. Checking her timetable with the lesson times on it, she saw that she still had another half hour, until the end of the lesson.
If only Belinda could just keep quiet for a little while longer, but then something small and white, flew past her ear.
Belinda was still hidden behind her magazine. Looking on the floor Miss Murphy saw a small pellet of white paper.
Checking the rest of the class Miss Murphy walked down the isle and went to help Helen when Mary suddenly exclaimed, "Ouch, Miss someone's throwing paper.
Miss Murphy could not see where it had come from and walking back towards the front of the room, she felt something hit her on the back of her neck.
"Who did that! she shouted as she turned to survey the girls behind her.
Belinda with her head buried in the magazine, was shaking with laughter with one hand over her mouth trying to suppress her smans.
"Belinda, are you throwing paper? inquired Miss Murphy suspiciously.
"No Miss, not me Miss. said Belinda smirking.
The class went quiet and then the sound of humming filled the room.
Miss Murphy tried to ignore it and sitting at her desk, she continued trying to fill in the crossword puzzle, which was the girl's final task.
Unexpectedly a whole barrage of small pieces of paper landed in front of her, but this time she had seen Belinda throw them.
With great accuracy, Miss Murphy threw a small ball of paper at Belinda, which hit the girl square between the eyes.
"You can't do that, that's assault, I'm going to tell my dad, and I'm going to sue you, you'll never teach again, you wait. bellowed Belinda rubbing her forehead.
Miss Murphy put her hands over her ears and shrieked rudely, "WHY DONT YOU JUST SHUT UP, SHUT UP!
Katie's eyes flashed red and the window beside the teacher flew open as an icy wind zipped around the room as the teacher struggled to pull it shut.
Katie watched as the look on Belinda's self-satisfied face suddenly changed to fear, as she felt her lips anxiously with her fingers.
"My mouth Miss, something's wrong with my mouth. she said agitatedly.
How Miss Murphy wished that she could give the child, one great slap right across her big fat mouth and shut up her whingeing.
A gasp of astonishment rippled through the room as girls in the front row, moved out of their seats and towards Belinda to have a better look. But many of the girls, sitting in the seats next to her, got up and began to move away from her nervously when they saw her lips beginning to meld together starting at the corners.
Belinda fought frantically with her fingers to open her mouth, but as she pulled, the pain was unbearable. Terror gripped her, as she couldn't work out what was happening to her, she tried to shout, but instead of words coming out, she started to whistle shrilly as the hole in her mouth began to close.
Belinda stood at the back of the classroom with her back against the wall, alone, with her wide eyes darting back and forth pleading for help and anxiously feeling the thin membrane, which now covered the whole of her mouth.
"What on earth have you done now Belinda? yelled Miss Murphy impatiently, as she walked swiftly up the isle towards her.
The teacher tried to get Belinda to take her hands down from her mouth to show her and asked her what was the matter. Belinda couldn't give her an answer and gestured with one hand that the problem was her mouth.
"Quickly Mary, go and get the nurse, said Miss Murphy urgently as she saw the strange, silver membrane covering the lips.
"What's she done Miss? asked Gail inquisitively.
"Go and sit down Gail and the rest of you, go on, go back to your chairs you're not helping.
However, Gail and Martha wanted a closer look and so while Miss Murphy brushed Belinda's hair from her eyes the pair snuck up from behind and tried to pull Belinda's hand away, but Belinda hit Gail in the face with the back of her hand and pushed Martha onto the floor.
Still defiant Belinda glared at the girls, with a stony look, which warned them to stay away from her.
"You were told to sit down girls, now go on, SIT. shouted Miss Murphy forcefully.
Martha pulled Gail up off the floor by her arm and dragged her back towards her seat next to the window.
As they waited, Belinda became more and more hysterical, as she tried to open her mouth. Miss Murphy shook her by her shoulders and Belinda froze as her eyes met the sympathetic eyes of the teacher, then unexpectedly, tears poured down her cheeks as bubbles of green and transparent slime oozed out of her nose.
Miss Murphy put her arm around the now shaking girl, sat her down on the chair and watched as she wiped the slime from her nose onto the sleeve of her jumper.
The rest of the class at the front of the room whispered as Belinda sobbed silently at the back of the room.
Jenny thought it was great and grinned wickedly at the gruesome sight. Belinda was such a bully, she had hit and punched many of the girls in class and so in her opinion she deserved whatever she got, she was noisy, arrogant and rude and in her opinion, she had definitely brought all of this onto herself. She wasn't sorry for her and she wasn't going to feel any sympathy for her either, not even when Belinda suddenly crumpled onto the floor.
Looking on sympathetically and rubbing Belinda on the back reassuringly, Miss Murphy could see Belinda's jaw moving up and down behind the silver gauze covering her mouth, as she tried to force her mouth open.
Out of the blue Belinda's mouth split open and a scream of sheer agony echoed around the room, as blood and saliva spewed out of the crack in her mouth like a waterfall and oozed over the polished floor. Belinda held her hands over her torn lips, gasping for air as the blood squirted through her fingers and splashed onto the front of her white shirt.
Miss Murphy didn't know what to do, but just then, the door flew open and the nurse ran in red faced and puffing loudly.
She was horrified when she eventually got Belinda to remove her bloody hands from her bleeding mouth, "its all right dearie, you come with me. she said calmly as she led the girl towards the door.
"Will you be alright? she asked, addressing Miss Murphy, as she held her apron onto Belinda's lips, "I'll come back when I've seen to this little one?
Miss Murphy sat in the teacher's chair visibly shaken and nodded her head.
The room was still, with no one daring to move except Katie.
Picking up her pen, a clean sheet of paper, she wrote in large curly letters, 'Silence is Golden' and then folding the paper up neatly, she pushed the slip of paper into Miss Murphy hand.
Miss Murphy's looked puzzled, but her face lit up when she opened up the paper and read the words,
"Yes, that's true. she said as she smiled feebly at Katie, "but poor Belinda, that was a terrible thing to happen wasn't it. I feel terribly sorry for her don't you?
Katie grinned wickedly and said "No, not really Miss. and cutting out the next label, she carried on with her work as if nothing had happened.
That night after school, Katie was pleased with her efforts for the day and although it was a bit of a messy outcome, her guardian had to admit that it had taught Belinda a valuable lesson.
But who would be next?
J A Evans
- Log in to post comments