one / the day i got expelled

Marjorie considered most of the things that happened to her unbelieveable. And they were, unless you were the right person.

     She'd never felt normal, not when she was constantly being told the things she saw were all in her head, created from pure childish imagination. The reasons why had changed though, or at least according to the schools they did. First it was just a child thing. Kids love fairytales and it wasn't uncommon for a child to make believe their own into existence.

     Then it was labeled as imaginary friends. Still not uncommon, just nore age appropriate. Then finally it was all for attention. After all, explaining that a woman with a snake for a body charged you in the auditorium and destroyed the sound booth makes no sense. Thus resulting in yet another school deciding they couldn't deal with her.

     So when the incident occured, a day before summer break, that had ultimately gotten her expelled, Marjorie had really began to think she was batshit crazy.

     Finals week was rough for anyone around, MJ knew that much. She'd struggled her way through half of them and was anticipating the end of the day when she'd finally get to go home. Private school was decidedly MJ's least favorite type of school she'd gone to.

     After finishing yet another final and asking for a restroom pass, she left her class and released a long sigh. She considered skipping the rest of the period, but her teacher was constantly up her ass and would definetly fail her. MJ decided the best she could do was take longer on the walk.

     She pushed open the doorto the batbrooms and stopped by the mirror, fixing her hair when she heard a strange rustling in the last stall. "Hello?" MJ called out, turning towards the stall in confusion. Nobody responded, but the entire stall shook and MJ quickly took a step back. A cruel laugh echoed throughout the bathroom and a chill ran up the redheads spine. "I know you have it." An eerie voice sing songed, releasing another wicked laugh.

     "Okay look this isn't funny!" MJ yelled just as the door slammed open and one of the most terrifying things she'd ever seen walked out. It had the face of her assistant principle, but her entire body was covered in feather-like scales with wings stretching out into a span of maybe six feet. Her face was pulled into an evil smile, her pace towards the girl slow, like a predator anticipating its prey.

     MJ screamed, turning and booking it out of the bathroom. The door crashed down a second later and the girl quickened her pace down the hallway. "Where is it demigod?!" The thing screeched, its wings flapping as it soared in the hallways, closing in on her. "I don't know what you want! Someone help me!" She sobbed, slipping as she turned a corner too fast, slowing her down slightly.

     MJ ducked into an empty classroom, running to the back and hiding behind a large chemistry table. The doors opened soon after and MJ heard the flapping of the creatures wings as it descended. Its clawed feet slowly clicked on the floor, and Marjorie peeked out to catch a glimpse of the monster nearing her. She quietly scooted away from it, shuffling to the desk beside her. The monster giggled, humming a sinister tune. "Where are you? Why are you hiding from me?" She singsonged.

Marjorie crawled to the next desk over, just as the monster circled her first hiding spot. As it sniffed around for her, MJ released a quick breath and bolted to the door. She slipped out and ran down the hallway, getting a headstart just as the monster crashed through the door and screeched. Marjorie threw trashcans and frames from the wall, anything to slow it down as she ran for the stairs. She took them two at a time, but missed on the last few steps.

     The monster descended on her, tackling her down the last four stairs and to the ground as they fought. Glass shattered by MJ's head and she quickly turned away from the sound. "Where is it?!" The monster roared. "Get off of me!" MJ screamed, kneeing the monster in the stomach. She groaned, and one of her claws came up, scratching MJ's face and ripping the leather cord of her necklace from around her neck.

     MJ freed herself from the monster and grabbed her necklace, nearly dropping it as it turned from a ocean jasper crystal to a fully fledged sword. The creature hissed, lunging at MJ for a second time just as she picked up the sword and swung it instinctively. The monster wailed, and MJ watched in horror as it disinegrated slowly.

     MJ sat there in total shock, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her whole body ached, and she was so, so exhausted. The sword within her hands shrank back into the necklace she wore, but her grip on it never relented. Marjorie began to cry as staff members rushed out of their rooms, crying in horror at the trail of destruction left behind by the girl while one teacher came up to the thirteen year old and held her. The teachers bombarded her with questions, but it all sounded like a roar in MJ's ears as she contiued to cry.

     Marjorie could hear her mothers angry yelling from within the office she sat outside of. She held and icepack to her wrist, the limb sore from having landed on it wrong when she fell. Her cheek still stung from the scrape, but it had stopped bleeding once the nurse had cleaned her up. She touched it with her free hand and winced, scared for the scar it'd leave.

     They'd called her mom at work, and not even ten minutes later had her mom shown up, gentle hands and soft voice as she gingerly grazed her eldest's cheek. Once she'd entered the office, her voice had raised and the usually polite Sally Jackson had been replaced by an angered mother.

     The door slammed open, and MJ shot her head up as her mother and the principal walked out. "Mrs Jackson-" "Come on sweetheart, we're leaving." She said softly, taking her hand and helping her grab her things as the walked out of the school, the principals voice echoing through the empty halls as he called out to them.

     They walked out of the school building, and once they were far enough Marjorie began to cry all over again. "Oh baby...." Her mother enveloped her in a comforting hug, making MJ only cry harder. The two stood on the sidewalk for a long moment, Sallys hand gently rubbing her daughters back. Marjorie began to cough and Sally separated herself, allowing her to breathe.

She wiped the tears from her face and brushed her hair behind her ears. "What happened?" Sally softly questioned. MJ stared at her feet, debating on what to say. "I don't wanna talk about it yet, or here at least." She mumbled. "Okay...okay and thats fine. We're gonna stop by a store and get you a brace for your wrist and then i have to stop by my work to get you and your brother something, okay?" Sally said. MJ nodded and wiped her nose, taking her mothers hand again as they walked down the street, the events from earlier still looming over them.

————-

     MJ sat on her bed, carefully adjusting her wrist on the pillow as she ate from a bag of blue candy, an early birthday gift as her mother called it.

     Her wrist still ached, but she'd taken pain medicine and was instructed by her mom to keep it still and rest. She tried to take her motbers advice, but the brace was uncomfortable and she was anxious for the pain to go away, not to mention the fear of her newfound scar.

     It was an ugly mark, two long scratches reaching from the corner of her eye to her jaw. She glanced in the mirror of her vanity that sat across her room, touching the scar again and fighting back tears.

     MJ wished she could understand what had happened to her. Wished she knew what had attacked her and why. When she'd tried to explain the entire incident, the school had countered her claims  by declaring there was no assistant principal by the name of Miss Crane. They'd pulled out files and records, or the lack of, further proving their point and making MJ feel worse and worse by the minute.

      She was grateful her mom had come when she did, and that she'd listened as MJ had sobbed through her story, making half of it unitelligable. Sally Jackson had always been an understanding and caring woman, and even more so as a mother.

     The door opened, and MJ's spirits lifted at the sound. Percy, her younger brother had come home from school. He'd been staying away at a private school much like MJ was, but the schools hadn't allowed them to be put in together due to their rather destructive histories.

     Marjorie didn't think it was fair under any circumstances, but it was just another thing she told herself would work out. A simple saying her and her mom had, one that got them through some of the tougher times.

     MJ shuffled down the hallway, mindful of her wrist as she turned a corner and was greeted by the sight of her brother. He was in the middle of a conversation with Gabe, their stepfather, and looked relieved as he dropped his suitace and enveloped his sister in a firm hug.

     "Hi." He mumbled. "Hey." She squeezed him a little tighter. "Hey, hello! Im still talking!" Gabe called out, but it went ignored as Percy pulled away, releasing a small noise of shock seeing her face up close. "What happened?" He reached up to touch her cheek, but MJ quickly pulled away. "It's nothing." She shook her head. "And your wrist!" He cried.

     "Hellooooo?!" Gabe yelled out again. "What?!" The two responded in unison. "I can't get any respect in this house." He shook his head and Marjorie rolled her eyes. "As I was saying," he dramatically enunciated his words "So what d'you get kicked out for, hmm?"

     "You got kicked out?" Marjorie whispered, and Percy looked down. She'd heard her mother on the phone with someome earlier, the call sounding rather tense. It hadn't lasted long though, and Marjorie didn't know what it was even for. "They said I attacked a kid on a field trip." He answered. MJ's eyes widened, but she decided not to say anything. She'd ask him for more details away from Gabe. "O-ok. Alright." Gabe nodded his head. "But still, if you're gonna live under my roof, you live by my rules." "Your roof? My mom is the only one employed here." Percy narrowed his eyes.

     "Excuse me, I have a job. What does it look like I'm doing right now?" He gestured to the laptop on his lap. "Loosing at imaginary poker?" Percy shot back, and Marjorie snorted. "You would think that because you're a child and you don't understand things-" "Where's my mom?" Percy cut him off. "She's over here." MJ nodded down the hall, and Percy followed after her. "Wow, wow. So you're both just gonna walk away?!" Gabe went ignored yet again.

     Marjorie led Percy to the fire escape, a place where they'd spent many summer days with their feet dangling off the edge, playing liscense plate games and making up stories for the people they'd watch pass by. Now, the space was occupied by their mother, her face pulled into a serene expression as the rain came down. It had been a while since MJ had seen her mother so at peace, and it made her smile.

     "Mom?" Percy called out, and Sally quickly turned around. "I'm sorry. I tried this time, you know how hard I've been trying but this time it really wasn't my fault-" Percy rambled, but was cut off by his mom. She hugged him close, rocking him slightly. "And I'm all wet now." Percy whispered, and MJ smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, I'm just very glad to see you." Sally saod softly. "Hows your wrist?" She nodded at her daughter, grabbing a towel. "It hurts less than before." MJ shrugged. "Good. You can take more medicine in a few hours okay? Just don't forget." Sally said. "Okay mom." MJ reaponded.

"I found Gabe on the phone with the headmaster. He told me what he thinks happened wirh Nancy Bobofit. I told him I believe my kid, it was a real short call." Sally turned towards Percy, and MJ scrunched up her nose at the mention of Percy's bully. He'd called her at her school once, talking to her about his newfound friend and the problem that was Nancy. She'd hated her from that moment despite not having ever met her, and promised Percy she'd deal with her. Unfortunately, thats not how it happened and he got expelled for it.

Percy gave his mom a sad smile, his gaze directed at the floor. "Hey, all that matters is that you're here okay?" Sally said. MJ placed her hand on Percy's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze before letting go. "And I had enough time to pick up your welcome home gift." Sally smiled as she handed a small bag of blue candy to Percy, the boy quietly taking it and placing it within his pocket. He was still silent, and Sally and MJ shared a concerned look.

"Mr Brunner called me too, he told me about Grover." Sally said sadly. MJ knew Grover was Percy's best friend, a boy he'd met at Yancy that he quickly bonded with. She was unaware of what had happened between the two, but it obviously affected him greatly. His hurt expression at the boys name made Marjorie sad for her brother all over again.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Sally questioned. Percy stayed silent, his fingers tugging at the loose fabric of his sweater. "Is there something else you wanna talk about?" Sally tried again. "Something happened to me. Something has been happening to me." Percy finally said.

"More than just my mind wandering, and it got worse." he quietly spoke. "And I'm scared." he finally looked up at his mom. MJ knew how he felt, though she wasn't sure yet if it was for the same reason as hers. She'd ask him about it, and maybe help find some answers.

Marjorie had always had a great imagination. When she was little, she'd turn kitchen utensils into gleaming weapons and her stuffed animals into large monsters. She turn her room into a vast cove filled with treasure, the hallways a deep jungle filled with hidden creatures. Her and her brother would run through these imaginary worlds with glee, knowing there was safety in it all being make believe.

That was until it wasn't. MJ would start to see things only ever imagined in the stories her mom would tell or of her own creation, walking the streets of New York. Sometimes they'd be on the playground, in her school hallways, or in the most recent case right infront of her. Her cheek stung at the thought.

She knew her brother was going through something similar, though he'd rarely opened up about it. When he was younger he used to tell her more about it, showing her drawings and explaining everything he saw. As he got older, he started confiding less and less in her about these things, and it made Marjorie sad. She wished he would trust her with these things, and know that she'd never judge him for it.

Sally stared at her two children, making a decision. "Gabe?" she yelled down the hall, and the two siblings stared in confusion. "Mom?" Percy questioned as Gabe turned the corner. "I don't know how anyone expects me to get any worl done-" "The kids and I are leaving for Montauk, I'll have the car back by Sunday morning." she said. MJ blinked in confusion, her and Percy sharing a look.

"Woah woah woah, since when are you going to Montauk?" Gabe questioned. "I called to reserve the place as soon as I got off with Yancy." Sally responded. "Who's Yancy?" Gabe asled dumbly, and Sally gave him a look. "The school?" she said.

"Okay. And why exactly am I okay with this?" he narrowed his eyes. "Because tomorrow is Marge's birthday and on my way home on Sunday I'm gonna stop by D'Angelo's and pick up sandwiches in time for tip off, but if you make this miserable, I'm gomna go anyway and then I'm gonna eat my sandwich and yours while I listen to the game on the radio!" Sally slightly raised her voice. "You know I hate watching the Knicks alone!" Gabe complained. "So do I!" Sally shot back.

"Well make sure they put the hot peppers on my sandwich please?!" Gabe said. "Well not if you're gonna ask like that!" Sally responded. "I said please!" Gabe, said his finger raised in an attempt to make his point. Percy and MJ's heads were on swivel as they looked between the two, sending eacher a confused look every few seconds.

Sally fixed him with a look, and after a moment of silence Gabe relented. "Please, could you have them put the peppers on my sandwich?" he said. "You got it." Sally walked away, leaving the siblings still very comfused. Gabe turned to the two, pointing his finger in an accusatory manner. "You two take yours shoes off before you get in my car, you understand me?" he glanced between them. "Yes sir." MJ said sarcastically. "Hey, watch that tone." Gabe said as he walked away, and MJ rolled her eyes.

"We have a lot to talk about, but that storm out theres getting angrier so lets get ahead of it. We'll talk at the beach okay?" She squeezed the twos arms as she walked away. "Pack your bags, lets go." she called down tbe hallway. The two stared after her for a moment, Percy being the one to break the silence. "Do you have any idea what just happened?" he whispered. "I have absolutely no clue." she whispered back.

Marjorie shoved the last shirt into her bag, zipping it up and throwing it over her shoulders. She adjusted her wrist brace carefully, taken out of her focus by a knock on her doorframe. Percy stood in the doorway, fiddling nervously with his hands. "Hey Perce, whats up?" she nodded at him, turning and sitting on her bed to retie the shoelaces of her blue converse.

"Can I talk to you about something?" he said quietly. "Yeah of course." she patted the spot on the bed next to her, and he shuffled over to take his seat. "At the field trip, when they said I pushed Nancy in the water? Well......" he trailed off, staring at a fixed point on her wall. "When she fell in, I felt this weird, force I guess?" he turned to his sister who nodded in encouragement.

"And then my teacher Mrs Dodds turned into this......thing." he said quietly. A chill ran up MJ's spine. "What do you mean?" she questioned softly. Percy was silent for a long moment. "She had wings, and feathers or something, and she looked-" "human, but not really human." MJ finished for him, and his head whipped towards her. "How did you?...." "The same thing happened to me at school. Thats where tbese came from." she held up her wrist and gestured to her face. Percy stared at her in shock, his mouth agape as he tried to formulate words when their mom peeked her head in the doorway. "You guys ready to go?" she said.

"Yeah, almost. We'll be out in a sec." Marjorie nodded, and her mom smiled at the two before walking off. "So you were attacked too?" Percy questioned once his mom was out of earshot. MJ nodded in response, taking her brothers hand. "What's happening to us Jo?" he quietly said, his eyes shining. "I don't know Perce, but we're gonna figure this out okay?" she pulled him into a hug, and the two sat there in silence, unknowingly enjoying one of their last few moments of peace this summer.

AUTHORS NOTE / AAAGGGHHHH ITS HERE!!!! i didn't really know how to start the book off properly, but i wanted mj to have her own monster experience to set the story in motion and i hope i executed the scene well.

PERCY AND MJ MY BABIES 😭😭 i adore them sm u guys don'tunderstand and I can't wait to write more moments between them the rest of the story

And sally and mj 🥹 they make me so ill knowing whats coming up next.......

Next chapter we get to montauk and the story really takes off from there! I hope you guys enjoy this first chapter and MJ's character so far!

CANT CATCH ME NOW
© finaIgrls 2023