The Pearls

The drop in your stomach when you think that you've lost something important- your phone, wallet, keys, car, or child. That's what Fiona felt when she realized that she had left behind her mom's pearl necklace and earring set in class. Or the bathroom. Or the gym. She noticed at lunch. And, by then, it was too late to know exactly where the jewelry had been misplaced.

Fiona's fear existed on two levels. On one- she thought of the fight that she had just had that morning with her Mom about “borrowing” her things without permission. That time it had been a sweater that she returned with a hole. It was usually clothing that Fiona ruined. But recently- she had also started borrowing money from her Mom's purse. And the amounts she took upped the charge from petty theft to grand larceny.

On the next level- Fiona also knew that if she did not find the pearls, this could be the proverbial straw that got her sent to her grandmother's in Jamaica. And- she hated everything about her grandmother. From her old-timey ways, including beatings, to her thick-as-molasses Jamaican accent, which made it impossible for them to communicate.

She had to find the lost items before her bus, which was- mercifully- usually late, arrived. That would give her an extra fifteen minutes to scour the hallways. But that would be at the end of the day. By then, they could be gone. Found and stolen, AGAIN, or rather by a stranger this time. 

Fiona tried to search between her classes. But the transition periods were too short. Ever since they found the drugs and the gun in that kid's locker earlier in the year- the administration had reduced the minutes between classes. “Not even enough time to piss,” students usually complained when they were late to class.

Her only other option would be fourth period. They had a long-term substitute teacher for Math these past few weeks whilst Mr. Tolson was recovering from surgery. But it was the infamous Ms. Peters. Tough, leathery, and ALWAYS in a bad mood. Fiona would have to find an excuse for an extended pass. 

That is- not a five minute bathroom break pass- that wouldn't be enough time to even get to the gym. But she also had to make sure it was an excuse for which she wouldn’t need a note from any teacher. Especially from Ms. Peters, who notoriously did not write them. Fiona also had to be careful that she did not bump into any security or administrative staff patrolling the hallways. For detention, suspension, or a call home to her mom were definitely not options.

(Not considering the trouble she would already be in if the pearls were not found. She did not want to add to the growing laundry list of reasons her mother would tell the judge as to why she killed her). But- it was the kinda’ heist her 13-year old wanna’ be spy self was trained and ready for.

After attendance, Fiona walked up to Ms. Peters, careful not to stand behind her. Because as Ms. Peters had explained to one student who had already made that mistake, “I'm from New York, Brooklyn, where that can get you killed.”

“Ms. Peters,” Fiona began, mustering all of her courage to tell the lie with a straight face.

“Yes, Fiona,” replied Ms. Peters.

Fiona could already tell that Ms. Peters would say no to her request. 

For she hated Fiona. Of course the feeling was mutual. Ms. Peters loved to embarrass Fiona, calling out every mistake she made in class. Like how her anxiety made her clumsy, and she was always spilling water. One time- she even knocked over a glass bottle, which shattered everywhere. After that, Ms. Peters banned Fiona from bringing any liquids into the classroom. 

But they also had history. Fiona could admit that she liked to get a rise out of subs. Her most famous line- the one she loved to say to them on their first day was, “smells like the unemployed.” 

She had other zingers too. When asked questions, she loved to reply, “don't worry about it.” But her latest one-liner, which she said to everyone and did not reserve just for teachers, and which her mom hated, was especially odious and obnoxious. Lately, whenever Fiona did something wrong, she would just shrug and say, “I didn't choose this life, this life chose me.”

So- she could already tell from Ms. Peters’ upturned lips that the lie better be good.

“Yes, Ms. Peters, ma'am,” Fiona said again, adding that nicety. Is it okay for me to go to Mr. Friers and see if there is any work I'm missing? I'm trying to pull up my grades (which was true) because I'm in a lot of trouble with my mom (also true).”

Ms. Peters, to Fiona's surprise, immediately said yes. Matter of fact, she fully endorsed the idea and gave Fiona the thumbs up. Teachers, Fiona chuckled to herself, what suckers for students bettering themselves.

Fiona knew that she had possibly fifteen minutes before she had to be back in Ms. Peters’ class. She would then say Mr. Friers had no work for her to complete. She had to be careful because teachers liked to talk to each other about their students. 

And why wouldn't they, she smirked, as she slipped out of the classroom, they have nothing else going on in their lives. But she definitely did not want Peters to check in with Friers- for if she followed up- Fiona's entire lie would unravel. And her story falling apart would mean- of course- a call home to mom.

Fiona also knew from a lot of previous experience that with lost articles, you MUST retrace your steps. She had found many objects left behind that way. But she only remembered taking the pearls out of her purse, which she still had in her possession, once. And that was during first period to show her man, Aaron.

Aaron, tall, handsome, caramel skin- the love of her short, 13 year-old life. They had met at soccer camp three years ago. And were actually surprised to find out that they had both been accepted to the gifted program at the same school. Plus- they were in all the same classes together- so they were always sitting next to each other, even at lunch. They got to know each other pretty well. 

Fiona was absolutely positive that he would be her future husband. But she made sure to always play it cool in his presence. No need to let him know how much she was really into him. He needed to know who was in charge. 

For Fiona had promised herself a long time ago that she would never lose her power with men. And end up crying on the bathroom floor like a wet rag doll, like her mom, when the next guy left her? No thank you, she shivered at the thought.

Aaron had told her at lunch, however, that the last time he saw the jewelry was first period when she briefly showed them to him. He hadn't seen them since. But- he hoped she would find them, even though he couldn't help her look. And he hoped that her Mom would forgive her if she had indeed lost them. How sweet, Fiona had thought. He cares for and loves me. But- he obviously doesn't know my mom.

There were only five minutes left in her allotted fifteen before Fiona would have to return to Ms. Peters’ room. And- she STILL could not find her mother's pearls. She had searched everywhere, including the gym and the girls’ bathroom she had used. She thought of her locker as a last resort. Fiona had briefly stopped by there to put her stuff before lunch. Maybe they fell out of her purse into the locker, she desperately thought- stranger things had happened. But no luck.

After school, as Fiona walked to the bus, she thought about what, and when, she would tell her mother about the lost pearls. She knew her grandmother had given them to her mother at a school graduation. Or they were from a sorority. Or something like that. Something significant. Something very important, very big, and very meaningful in her mother's life. 

Oh, why, did she take them that morning, she remorsefully thought. They had just been sitting out on the dresser from the last time they had been worn. And full of temptation, Fiona had borrowed them before she could even think about her actions much less their consequences. 

But that was her problem. Lately, she had been acting impetuously, as she careened down a dangerous track. At least that's what her mother had said the last time she acted out, which was just a few weeks ago when grades were sent.

As Fiona approached the bus stop, she saw a larger than usual crowd waiting. They all seemed to be gathered around McKenzie. Now Fiona HATED McKenzie because she once “heard” that Aaron had kissed her. 

So, imagine Fiona's surprise when she saw her mother's pearl earrings dangling from Mckenzie's too tiny ears and the necklace hanging loosely around her neck. She caught Fiona's eyes and repeated what she had been saying, “oh, Aaron proposed to me today.”

Immediately, two competing thoughts flashed into Fiona's mind. Pure, unabashed relief that the pearls had been found. And raging anger that let her know she was about to beat Mckenzie's ass into the ground. But, if she got into a fight, which was against the rules, she might get expelled. That would probably mean more trouble with her Mom than lost jewelry. 

So- for the first time, Fiona was unsure of what to do. After all, she loved her mom. And didn't want to leave her to go live in Jamaica. More than that, she did not want to end up in a Jamaican school, where they beat the kids, or so she had heard from her mother and grandmother.

And then it suddenly occurred to Fiona. None of this even mattered. She would simply, kindly, in the nicest way possible ask McKenzie for the pearls back. If McKenzie refused or said they didn't belong to Fiona, there was an engraving on the hook, initials, that proved ownership. But McKenzie would probably be overjoyed to know that Aaron had stolen the pearls from Fiona- for her. And would relish Fiona's embarrassment. 

This day would live forever in middle-school history. Students from other schools would learn about how Fiona was dumped. But for Fiona, it was more than just losing Aaron that hurt, or his having stolen the pearls to give to another girl. It was the lies- the deception. The feeling of now being left behind.