Smoldering

Several students stood huddled outside, staring expectantly at the school building. The blaring fire alarm could be heard from the parking lot they were waiting in. Inside, two students, Trevor and Melissa, were anxiously standing in the smoke-filled lobby, frantically waving books, trying to clear the room. It was hard to see through the thick fog, however they did catch a glimpse of the principal storming through the school, looking for the culprits. He didn’t even have to see them to know. “Trevor? Melissa?! I know you’re up there!” In a panic, they darted out of the nearest door fearing for their lives, and a loud boom echoed through the building after it slammed shut behind them.

It had been a good idea at the time. However, it was not the first occasion where they were caught doing something incredibly stupid. This, however, in their minds, was going to be the best idea they’ve had in a long while. But their plan backfired, as everything they almost ever did tend to do.

Trevor lugged the heavy fog machine up the stairs to the second level of the school. This was going to be great! He and Melissa were making a video combining everything that happened within that school year as a joke for the last talent show. The idea was to make it complete with special effects; hence the fog machine.

“Wait, Trevor, I’m a little worried. What if this sets off the alarm?”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Fog is just water. Water doesn’t set off smoke detectors.” Well. That was explained very well. It was such a good argument that it was almost a shock to learn that it was giant misconception.

Soon, the air was thick with fog. But they didn’t stop there. This had to be good. This had to be the greatest movie, filled with the most awe-inspiring special effects. They pushed the button, and more fog shot out, snaking its way down the hallway.

All of a sudden, a loud, screaming noise erupted. The smoke detectors had gone off, and the two students anxiously ran, grabbing books and anything they could find to calm the ear-piercing roar.

Oops.

Doors banged open one after another as students evacuated the school building, staring wide-eyed down the smoldering hallways. Shortly after, Trevor and Melissa had hysterically beat away the smoke, and the shrill alarms fell silent once more. All was well in their world, if only for a few seconds. They could see the principal headed in their general direction, and they retreated in a panic.

They would return only after the anger was gone, and there was only humor in the situation. They had a lot of experience with getting out of trouble before, as they were no strangers to the principal and his staff. Twenty minutes later they walked into the office, heads hung low, puppy-dog-eyes set, and the cord of the now sleeping fog machine dragging behind them. Needless to say, they ended the year with a big bang, which was all they ever wanted to do.