White text on a black background. The word shortcuts is highlighted in green.
"Is there something you'd like to share with
the class, Mr. Fisher?"
It takes me a moment to realize Mr. Smith is
talking to me.
"Fisher-Emmanuel, you mean?" I say. It feels important to have both names. If I have to write them both out on all my assignments and legal paperwork, then you don't get any shortcuts when you say it. All or nothing, baby.
Scanning Mr. Smith's expression clearly tells
me it was the wrong thing to say.
"You think you're so smart. You think you can skip my class, waltz in here, and use my classroom as your own personal social hour?"
"I didn't skip your class. I had therapy. The
office has my note."
"I saw the goddamn note," Mr. Smith spits. I feel a first small flicker of fear. "I don't know what kind of therapy session lasts five hours."
"It's a bit of a long drive."
"Sure, how convenient. Well I don't buy it.
Do you think this class is a joke?"
"Yes, sir. I mean, certainly not, sir."
That, at least, gets some chuckles out of my classmates. I guess I'm well on my way to becoming the class clown.
Mr. Smith is fuming.
"Mr. Fisher, you—"
"Fisher-Emmanuel. Two last names. Or you
can just call me Cainen."
"Well. Mr. Cainen, you can see me after class. I've had enough of your disrespect this semester."
The class goes silent. I try to think of a witty
comeback, but my mind goes blank.
Today’s #WIPsnips word is #shortcut. I only had one example in my draft. This is one of those “moments before disaster” scenes, for reasons I will not specify. Mr. Smith is one of very few characters I would call pure evil.
#wip #writing #queer #trans #fiction #ya #horror #mentalillness #writesky