The Third Stall

Mara’s new friend at school seems perfect, until she learns things aren’t as they seem

The moment I got to school in the morning, I went into the bathroom. The third stall. I always got dropped off by my dad in the morning way early, so I could just sit and prepare myself for the day ahead. I took my seat, adjusting my short, pale legs with me on the small area of the toilet and looked at the wall, the tiny inscriptions of graffiti and poems, some I placed.

I took a deep breath and pulled my phone out, putting in AirPods and playing some music. I pull my bag to my chest and settle my head on it, closing my eyes. It always relaxed me, soft harmonies, some with words, most not. I let the ambience carry me elsewhere and just thought.

First, I thought about the most recent stuff, how my mom scolded me this morning, "Mara, why did the counselor call me, saying she was worried?" Her eyebrows were furrowed, her voice strict, but her eyes were worried. I shrugged it off, saying I had a lot of friend drama. False. I didn't have many friends, only people I sometimes worked with in classes, because they were the third wheel, and I was the one wheel.

Then I thought about how yesterday, my English teacher said she loved my poems, but also had to ask if I was okay. I smiled with pride at the compliment and said I was just fine, just writing away. She had laughed, patting my shoulder and then I had went to lunch, sitting in the same stall I was currently at.

I opened my eyes a bit and took out my AirPods. It was loud out in the hall, and I figured it was about time to head to class. I gathered all of my stuff and headed to my first hour, math.

I paid attention in class, and the day was slow, slower than I hoped. Second hour, some girls were laughing at me as I tripped over my off-brand Nikes, and in the class after that, I was being teased because I didn't get to shower the night before, and my hair was a little greasy. By lunch, I was in tears, and I burst into the bathroom and opened the third stall.

I blinked, spotting a girl who looked my age. Her wide brown eyes looked at my blue ones, and she flushed, "Sorry, I didn't think anyone came in here." She had long black hair, reaching her waist, and was in a low ponytail. She was a pretty girl and she stood up, clutching her bag to her; she was the same height as me, but thinner.

"It's fine," I said, "I didn't either." I blinked my tears away and we just stared at one another for a second, "I'm Mara," I finally said.

She smiled softly, "Celie," she said, fixing her turtle neck, like it was choking her.

"I haven't seen you around," I said as we moved to the lunchroom, my breakdown now forgotten and a new friend on my mind. We went outside to sit under the bleachers, and some girls gave me a look as I beckoned for Celie to follow.

"Weirdo," one said, shoving past me and exiting with her friend.

I pursed my lips as Celie and I settled under the bleachers, "Ya," she said, "I usually just skip class." She looked back at the two girls who kept looking back at us, "I hate people." she muttered.

I nodded, understanding, "Especially the popular girls."

She nodded, "Mhm, I feel like you get me." She smiled, a faint twitch of her lips.

I smiled, "Want some?" I ask, holding up my granola bar, getting ready to break it off.

She shook her head, "I'm good, thanks though." She fiddled with her bracelet, and I raised an eyebrow.

"You good?"

"I'm fine.." she said, looking at me, eyes squinted slightly, "I just..." she shifted closer and pulled a small metal container out of her bag, opening them and showing me little blue pills, "Haven't taken these in a while." she shifted the blue pills around in the container, "My old doctor used to give me them, made everything seem... peaceful, made me feel like people were less... judgeful."

I held my breath, leaning in and looking at the blue pills, "Aren't those... dangerous?" I asked, messing with the wrapper of my granola bar.

"Not unless if you overdo it, take two and it's fine, take five in the same fifteen minutes-" she let out a bitter laugh, swallowing two and closing the tin with a sharp snap, "Just don't, I know some people who did and it didn't go so well for them."

I nod, unsure but trusting, "Ya.."

"Please don't tell anyone," she said, "It can be our secret."

I smile, nodding, "I won't."

Part of me knew something was off, that this wasn't going to end well, but I went along with it. I don't know what in me made me stay- maybe it was that I needed some drama in my life, maybe it was the way I needed a friend.

"Friends?" I choked out, looking at her as we stood up.

"Friends," she agreed, smiling.

Part 1, Part 2 Coming Soon