Mira’s eyes widen like a cartoon deer. A plan is hatched.
Mira laughs. The laugh wiggles something loose. A gurgle. Then—release. A timid trumpet, followed by the full jazz band. Tears of relief sprint down her face. She has never heard anything so beautiful.
––––––––––––––––––– 6. The Aftermath ––––––––––––––––––– Flush. Wash. Deodorizing spray labeled “Moose Mist.” She exits lighter, almost floating. Javi and Lexi are waiting, eating contraband Skittles. They don’t ask; they just fist-bump her back to the cafeteria. newgirlpooping
––––––––––––––––––– 5. The Moment ––––––––––––––––––– Mira enters the stall. The fan hums. The lock clicks. She sits—and nothing. Stage fright. Her brain loops every horror story: “Girl destroys school plumbing, becomes meme, transfers to nunnery.”
She pulls out her phone. Texts her mom: “Tell me something normal.” Mom (in faculty meeting): “Your dad is watching YouTube videos on how to talk to a possum living in our garage. He named it Gerald.” Mira’s eyes widen like a cartoon deer
––––––––––––––––––– 3. The Allies ––––––––––––––––––– At lunch she meets Javi (theater kid, pronouns they/them) and Lexi (soccer goalie, allergic to 80 % of the cafeteria menu). They adopt her instantly because she’s “the only person who looks more lost than we feel.” Mira confesses her predicament over burritos that taste like wet envelopes.
––––––––––––––––––– 4. The Obstacles ––––––––––––––––––– a) The stairwell door is alarmed. Javi forges a “Fire Drill Practice” note so a janitor will unlock it. b) A hall monitor who calls himself “Deputy Dave” patrols with the zeal of a TSA agent. Lexi creates a diversion by faking a peanut-allergy sneeze fit so Mira can slip past. c) The eucalyptus stall is occupied—by a sophomore crying over a B-minus in pre-calc. Mira knocks gently. “I just… need to poop,” she whispers. The crier slides out, mascara streaked, and salutes like Mira’s off to war. “Godspeed, new girl.” The laugh wiggles something loose
Stall #1: Lock broken. Stall #2: No door. Stall #3: Someone’s already in it, earbuds in, humming “Driver’s License” off-key.