Chapter 5: Valentine’s Day Faerie

Tired and haggard-looking fairies and cupids run up to Annabella, tell her something, then sprint away for another delivery. Annabella stands in the middle of the storm like a weather goddess controlling the elements.

As lunch approaches, I read and re-read the lyrics, getting more nervous and excited with each reading. I like that hunky Mr.Hosen wants me as a singing telegram faerie.

Just before lunch, four grade twelve students appear at the table. I follow the unwritten rule and avoid looking at them. They refuse to acknowledge me.

“OK, everyone, get ready for the lunch rush.”

Annabella commands from her throne dias, a small wooden box behind the table.

Two of the students nod and take seats on either side of me. The other two just keep talking off to the side.

The bell rings, and students swarm the table. Money and forms flood in, too many for me to keep track of. The kaleidoscope of faces overwhelms me. The other four know everyone and mostly talk, leaving me to process the orders. I am exhausted and hungry when the numbers finally start to dwindle.

“Abigail, it’s time.”

Annabella declares and hands her phone to one of the students, Gary maybe, before grabbing my hand and pulling me down the hall. We enter the mythical grade twelve hallway. I have only ever glanced down it before. It appears like our grade nine hallway, except most of the lockers have hearts of pink, purple, and red covering them. We duck into a discrete, almost hidden small hallway.

“Our changeroom.”

Annabella pushes me into a small classroom.

Most desks hold piles of cheap costumes; red, pink, white, green, and purple overflow onto the floor and chairs. Silver and gold fairy wings lay everywhere. A mound of multi-colored glitter coats the teacher’s desk.

“Put your clothing in that corner and get over here.”

Annabella points to a corner holding actual clothing.

I hesitate. Does Annabella mean naked? Surely not.

“Get your fucking clothes off and get over here.”

Annabella yells while lifting flimsy red skirts, comparing sizes.

I run to the corner and pull off my shoes, socks, and pants before returning to her.

“Put your shoes back on, and take off your bra and panties, stupid.”

Annabella shouts, putting down a red skirt and picking up a thin red strip of fabric.

Back to the corner, I rush, slip off my panties and bra, put back on my shoes and socks, and start to return.

A boy dressed as Cupid bursts into the room.

“Fucking teachers! I need a new set of underwear.”

He sprints to a pile of white underwear.

I squeal and crouch down to hide my nakedness.

He doesn’t even glance at us. He just pulls off the underwear with a huge wet spot, exposing a moist-tipped drooping penis surrounded by curly chestnut hair. I have never seen a live one before. He pulls on a new pair of white briefs and sprints out of the room, not once conceding that we exist.

“Abigail, get the fuck over here, we don’t have time.”

Annabella hadn’t acknowledged the boy or his nakedness.

I slink over, my gaze fixed on the boy’s exit. I am worried about another appearing while also hoping another might. The last one’s penis disappeared too quickly, and I wish to witness another, longer and closer up. I vow next time, I will spend more time examining and less hiding.