The Lab Book Thief by Michaela Go

I wasn't supposed to be at school. Because I was sick. Ok, maybe senioritis isn't a legit illness, but whatever. I was sick, and it was cleared by my mom anyway.

                But despite extended due dates, mental health days are kind of boring. So I went to school at lunch to see my friends, not knowing this would be my undoing. Because you can't have your cake and eat it too. Although, I don't know anyone who would hold a piece of cake and not eat it…unless you're anorexic or something. But as I was saying, you can't skip out on the drudgeries of school and expect to enjoy the social parts of it.

                So I walked into school looking as inconspicuous as possible. I walked through the 40s, through the senior hallway, pass the teacher bathrooms outside the F-wing staircase…and…

                "Michaela!" a booming, dread-inspiring, cheerful voice said behind me. My steps quickened towards the amphitheater. I didn't turn around because I knew just who that voice belonged to.

Footsteps followed after me and then two fingers tapped me on the shoulder forcing me to turn around.

"Hi, Mr. Miller!" I said with feigned surprise.

"It's a shame you missed class today. We watched such an interesting Goodstein video about batteries!"

"Oh, that sounds pretty cool. Too bad I missed it."

"Do you know what else we did, Michaela?"

"Uh…"

"PASSED IN LABBOOKS! They were due today, and you're here today, so why don't you give yours to me now!?"

His face took on a new expression. Not just happy. Scary happy.

"MICHAELAAAA, why are you running? Just give me your lab book!

Shit! He was gaining.  All of a sudden he lunged at my backpack.

"Nooooooooooooooooooo!" I cried.

I feel my backpack unzip and see him brandishing a black and white composition book. I grabbed hold of one corner and we are in tug-o-war with my lab book.

"GIIIVEEEEE IT TOOOOOO MEEE,"

His eyes opened wider and his smile grew bigger, showing more teeth. I couldn't help it. I let go of my incomplete lab book and he cackled…

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha"

Then I woke up and realized it was my alarm clock cackling. The song playing was Feel Good Inc.