Falling Into the Toilet
By: Jessica
Chapter 1: Distance
Ever since I was little, I loved to dance. I dreamt of being a prima ballerina, a hip-hop star, or at least something where I could hear the music and just shake my booty.
I go to Julliard. Well, ok, I don't go to Julliard for classes, but I work there. I only wish I was a dance teacher. I think my mom would have been really proud of me if I were. So, that's why I didn't tell her why I went to Julliard. I love to dance. That much I know. But, somehow, instead of actually applying for the classes, I ended up being dirty management.
And yes, I mean very dirty. Everyday I scrub toilets, unplug them, clean the cigarette-covered floors, and mop the wood dance floors. I was happy enough, being paid very well and all. During lunch break, I'd pop my head into a class, and practice behind the curtains along with the students who actually paid their tuitions. The teachers usually caught me though, so I've limited my classes to a bare minimum of three a day. I practice dancing and choreographed moves in my spare time, which I find I have a lot of lately. I don't have a man in my life, mainly because I have been a one- night stand so many times, and so I decided it wasn't worth it.
I've had my share of boyfriends too. I really don't know what men are supposed to act like and I couldn't detect a good one if I saw him. My father wasn't the greatest example of a good guy either. He died when I was 17, a drunk and a drug addict. Mom said to be wary of the good-looking ones. She lives in another state, enjoying her time with her life-long friends playing card games and drinking pina coladas till she smelt vaguely of pineapple and alcohol, and doesn't think much to call to see how I'm doing. Then again, I told her not to.
She kicked me out at 18, telling me I wasn't worth all the trouble I put her through. Thinking back, maybe she was right. I dropped out of my dance classes, only did average in high school, and didn't want to go to college. Now, here I am, 26, and head of the department of the cleaning facilities. It's a nice way of saying janitor, I suppose.
I can't help but feel that somehow, I feel so left out. I feel out of place. Mom always told me I was the odd bean in the family. I never liked video games, never watched TV. Occasionally, I'd watch some old Victorian movie from blockbuster. And when I was younger, I used to practice my curtsies and accent. Mom would slap me and tell me to grow up. I did eventually. But, I still like to pop in Sense and Sensibility once in awhile, and pretend I'm one of the daughters. I think that maybe I probably would have fit in better during that time period, you know?
Anyways, today I think I'm going to join the salsa class. I enjoy laughing at the people who can't seem to move properly. I kind of dance while I'm mopping the floor, just praying that the teacher would notice me. Then, maybe my life would really start. Ah, here comes Mr. Hagen. Guess it's time to put the cigarette down and get to work.
"You can't fool me Kagome, I know you weren't working."
I kind of just rolled my eyes on the spot. I hope he noticed.
"Awe, you caught me," I added, with a touch of sarcasm that I think he detected a little too quickly.
"You work for us, remember? Get to work. Someone puked in stall three in the main hall. Guess it didn't flush too well. Students are starting to complain. Make use of yourself and get to it."
Yeah, wonderful. Spew, just what I needed on a day like today. Man, your cutting into my salsa time
"Right on it boss." I winked and headed for my closet.
I think today was going to be a bad day. You know those feelings you get when you know something is going to happen, that something is going to screw up your day when it should have been good. For instance, this morning my cat ran into the vase my grandma gave to me before she died. It broke. Then I got a phone call from my bank, dirty rotten people, telling me I needed to pay my bills.
Not like I wasn't aware of it.
"Hey Kagome!"
And here it is, my very own wrecking ball, here to destroy my half- good day.
" 'Lo Jade."
"You don't seem happy to see me."
I gave her my famous rolling eyes. "Whenever you come along and talk to me in school, nothing ever turns out right, and the rest of my day sucks. But other than that, it's great to see you Jade."
I gave her a half-hearted smile. She looked hurt. I hope she was hurt, after what she did to me.
"Um, yeah, well, we are going out tonight, and we wanted you to come along, my treat." She inserted her famous smile. She wanted something.
"Who is we?"
"Uh, just some friends of mine. We going to Allure, then to my house for a small party."
Her friends, her house, and her life. This meant she was going to get drunk, go home and get high, and wake up next to some guy she didn't even remember the next morning. I stopped that stuff a while ago. I was trying to quit smoking too. I wanted to clean up my act as much as she wanted to ruin hers. And, besides, I wanted to go home, take a nice long bubble bath, and curl up with a good book and vanilla scented candles, while stuffing my mouth with ramen. It sounded so good, I wanted to leave now, and skip classes today.
"Sorry Jade. I got plans tonight."
"Oh my god, you have plans? With who?"
Try not to act too surprised, you just might hurt my feelings. I rolled my eyes again. "New guy."
"Is he cute?" I could almost detect her jealousy. Too bad there wasn't any guy for her to steal again.
"Total hottie." It came out less enthusiastic than I planned it to be. "Yeah well, duty calls. Check you later."
"Yeah," she said dumbfounding, "later."
I couldn't suppress the giggle as I walked away. I think I heard her snort and turn her heal like I dissed her. In a way, maybe I did. I didn't care though.
"And now for the stinky bathroom." I made my up the sparkling stairwell, compliments of my mop and sweat, and rounded my way to the janitor closet.
I unlocked the door, and flicked the light on.
Why anyone would try to go into a janitor's closet is beyond me, but I had a very strong feeling I wasn't the first to come in here today. Nothing was where I left it. Things seemed to have been thrown across the floor. I wondered whether they were looking for a particular item, or if they were just picking off some of my supplies and wanted revenge for not cleaning the toilets regularly.
I sifted through various articles, and I couldn't place what was taken, besides the fact that my Lysol was gone. Other than that, everything seemed to be there. I grabbed the bucket filled with my mop, plunger, and some comet, while trying to pull on my gloves. Puke, I hated puke. Closing the door behind me, I waiting for the automatic lock to click. I love technology though.
I guess I would have made it to the problem bathroom quicker had it not been for a weird gurgling noise coming from the upstairs bathroom. I gave the noise a side-glance. It was coming from the boy's bathroom.
I had been waiting for an excuse to go in there. Not because I was perverted or anything, but, because I needed to find my bracelet. I put it down somewhere last week, but I seldom have time to go in there. Now was my chance.
I rolled my eyes, pretending to actually look curious as to what the noise was. Ok, maybe I was curious. I stepped inside the walls and called out, "Hey, any guys in here? Need to do a clean up! You got a half a second to cover whatever."
Like I would give them that long to respond. I walked in a moment later to find the stalls empty. The urinals were deserted too, much to my relief. The gurgling sound came again. It was stall seven. I walked over to it, and rapped lightly on the door.
"Anyone home?" No answer, ok, I'm free. Don't say I didn't warn you. Flying the door open, I suspected there would be something there. And that's just what it was. It definitely was something.
By: Jessica
Chapter 1: Distance
Ever since I was little, I loved to dance. I dreamt of being a prima ballerina, a hip-hop star, or at least something where I could hear the music and just shake my booty.
I go to Julliard. Well, ok, I don't go to Julliard for classes, but I work there. I only wish I was a dance teacher. I think my mom would have been really proud of me if I were. So, that's why I didn't tell her why I went to Julliard. I love to dance. That much I know. But, somehow, instead of actually applying for the classes, I ended up being dirty management.
And yes, I mean very dirty. Everyday I scrub toilets, unplug them, clean the cigarette-covered floors, and mop the wood dance floors. I was happy enough, being paid very well and all. During lunch break, I'd pop my head into a class, and practice behind the curtains along with the students who actually paid their tuitions. The teachers usually caught me though, so I've limited my classes to a bare minimum of three a day. I practice dancing and choreographed moves in my spare time, which I find I have a lot of lately. I don't have a man in my life, mainly because I have been a one- night stand so many times, and so I decided it wasn't worth it.
I've had my share of boyfriends too. I really don't know what men are supposed to act like and I couldn't detect a good one if I saw him. My father wasn't the greatest example of a good guy either. He died when I was 17, a drunk and a drug addict. Mom said to be wary of the good-looking ones. She lives in another state, enjoying her time with her life-long friends playing card games and drinking pina coladas till she smelt vaguely of pineapple and alcohol, and doesn't think much to call to see how I'm doing. Then again, I told her not to.
She kicked me out at 18, telling me I wasn't worth all the trouble I put her through. Thinking back, maybe she was right. I dropped out of my dance classes, only did average in high school, and didn't want to go to college. Now, here I am, 26, and head of the department of the cleaning facilities. It's a nice way of saying janitor, I suppose.
I can't help but feel that somehow, I feel so left out. I feel out of place. Mom always told me I was the odd bean in the family. I never liked video games, never watched TV. Occasionally, I'd watch some old Victorian movie from blockbuster. And when I was younger, I used to practice my curtsies and accent. Mom would slap me and tell me to grow up. I did eventually. But, I still like to pop in Sense and Sensibility once in awhile, and pretend I'm one of the daughters. I think that maybe I probably would have fit in better during that time period, you know?
Anyways, today I think I'm going to join the salsa class. I enjoy laughing at the people who can't seem to move properly. I kind of dance while I'm mopping the floor, just praying that the teacher would notice me. Then, maybe my life would really start. Ah, here comes Mr. Hagen. Guess it's time to put the cigarette down and get to work.
"You can't fool me Kagome, I know you weren't working."
I kind of just rolled my eyes on the spot. I hope he noticed.
"Awe, you caught me," I added, with a touch of sarcasm that I think he detected a little too quickly.
"You work for us, remember? Get to work. Someone puked in stall three in the main hall. Guess it didn't flush too well. Students are starting to complain. Make use of yourself and get to it."
Yeah, wonderful. Spew, just what I needed on a day like today. Man, your cutting into my salsa time
"Right on it boss." I winked and headed for my closet.
I think today was going to be a bad day. You know those feelings you get when you know something is going to happen, that something is going to screw up your day when it should have been good. For instance, this morning my cat ran into the vase my grandma gave to me before she died. It broke. Then I got a phone call from my bank, dirty rotten people, telling me I needed to pay my bills.
Not like I wasn't aware of it.
"Hey Kagome!"
And here it is, my very own wrecking ball, here to destroy my half- good day.
" 'Lo Jade."
"You don't seem happy to see me."
I gave her my famous rolling eyes. "Whenever you come along and talk to me in school, nothing ever turns out right, and the rest of my day sucks. But other than that, it's great to see you Jade."
I gave her a half-hearted smile. She looked hurt. I hope she was hurt, after what she did to me.
"Um, yeah, well, we are going out tonight, and we wanted you to come along, my treat." She inserted her famous smile. She wanted something.
"Who is we?"
"Uh, just some friends of mine. We going to Allure, then to my house for a small party."
Her friends, her house, and her life. This meant she was going to get drunk, go home and get high, and wake up next to some guy she didn't even remember the next morning. I stopped that stuff a while ago. I was trying to quit smoking too. I wanted to clean up my act as much as she wanted to ruin hers. And, besides, I wanted to go home, take a nice long bubble bath, and curl up with a good book and vanilla scented candles, while stuffing my mouth with ramen. It sounded so good, I wanted to leave now, and skip classes today.
"Sorry Jade. I got plans tonight."
"Oh my god, you have plans? With who?"
Try not to act too surprised, you just might hurt my feelings. I rolled my eyes again. "New guy."
"Is he cute?" I could almost detect her jealousy. Too bad there wasn't any guy for her to steal again.
"Total hottie." It came out less enthusiastic than I planned it to be. "Yeah well, duty calls. Check you later."
"Yeah," she said dumbfounding, "later."
I couldn't suppress the giggle as I walked away. I think I heard her snort and turn her heal like I dissed her. In a way, maybe I did. I didn't care though.
"And now for the stinky bathroom." I made my up the sparkling stairwell, compliments of my mop and sweat, and rounded my way to the janitor closet.
I unlocked the door, and flicked the light on.
Why anyone would try to go into a janitor's closet is beyond me, but I had a very strong feeling I wasn't the first to come in here today. Nothing was where I left it. Things seemed to have been thrown across the floor. I wondered whether they were looking for a particular item, or if they were just picking off some of my supplies and wanted revenge for not cleaning the toilets regularly.
I sifted through various articles, and I couldn't place what was taken, besides the fact that my Lysol was gone. Other than that, everything seemed to be there. I grabbed the bucket filled with my mop, plunger, and some comet, while trying to pull on my gloves. Puke, I hated puke. Closing the door behind me, I waiting for the automatic lock to click. I love technology though.
I guess I would have made it to the problem bathroom quicker had it not been for a weird gurgling noise coming from the upstairs bathroom. I gave the noise a side-glance. It was coming from the boy's bathroom.
I had been waiting for an excuse to go in there. Not because I was perverted or anything, but, because I needed to find my bracelet. I put it down somewhere last week, but I seldom have time to go in there. Now was my chance.
I rolled my eyes, pretending to actually look curious as to what the noise was. Ok, maybe I was curious. I stepped inside the walls and called out, "Hey, any guys in here? Need to do a clean up! You got a half a second to cover whatever."
Like I would give them that long to respond. I walked in a moment later to find the stalls empty. The urinals were deserted too, much to my relief. The gurgling sound came again. It was stall seven. I walked over to it, and rapped lightly on the door.
"Anyone home?" No answer, ok, I'm free. Don't say I didn't warn you. Flying the door open, I suspected there would be something there. And that's just what it was. It definitely was something.