Cameo by Tanille Edwards

me.
    â€œAhhh!” she screamed. Then she hit the floor with a loud thud. I reached for the door.
    â€œI’m a whistleblower, if I may,” she said. She quickly jumped up and slammed the door. What was she, an acrobat?
    â€œThe time has come to blow the whistle,” she said. She sounded like a cross between a cheesy proverb and a fortune cookie.
    â€œCome ON!” I threw my forearm into her stomach. That knocked her back a few paces. I opened the door again. “Help!” I yelled.
    She slammed the door again.
    â€œIf you’re here to help, then why don’t you stay down?” I grabbed hold of her throat with my tightest grip. I didn’t know what had come over me. What the hell was she doing walking into a locked bathroom dressed like a robber in a dark ski mask, oversize overalls, and black leather gloves?
    â€œGet off me!” She dug her fingernails into my hand. Though she had gloves on, it felt like they were piercing my skin.
    â€œNo! Why don’t you blow the whistle and do what you came here to do?” I asked.
    â€œAs if I had any concern with beating you up. There are worse things, many of which have already happened to you. Now, I only asked you to move your hand to give you a chance to get on my good side.”
    I let go of her neck a little. I mean, I didn’t intend to strangle her. This was getting a little too violent. She quickly pushed me into the door, grabbed my leg, and twisted it. Next thing I knew, I had flown off balance and landed face-down right into the floor.
    â€œI’m a purple belt in karate! I’m going to tell you this in the hopes that you spread the word.” She laughed. “Should you share this with anyone, you will find yourself blacked out of the yearbook like you never existed. There are those of us who prefer it that way.”
    I tried to push myself off the ground, only to be pinned down by her narrow foot.
    â€œThis started out as a freshman prank. An initiation into our house, if you will. But there is one who has taken this too far. She has watched you closely and has much to vindicate. She has heard you sing, as you might be aware. This is a warning. We are no longer involved in this.”
    â€œAnd what does your house represent?”
    â€œYou will tell no one of this if you wish to be acknowledged as a part of the student body,” she said.
    â€œWho heads this club?” I asked.
    â€œYou do not ask questions of me!” she said.
    There was a knock at the door.
    â€œCome in,” I yelled.
    â€œYou’re so stupid.”
    The person opened the door, and she shut it. “Do not come in. I am not dressed,” she said. Suddenly the light went out. Then she threw the door back. It slammed into my already pulsating foot that was jammed into a three-inch stiletto pump. I heard her run expediently down the hall. Then I heard a slam just outside the door.
    â€œSay excuse me!”
    It was Jane’s voice. After peeling myself off the floor, I rushed out the door.
    â€œWhat are you doing in there?” Jane asked.
    I wasn’t sure if the yearbook thing was serious, but I very well couldn’t tell the gossip mill herself what was going on.
    â€œOhh … I was using the vanity in the back, while she used the mirror. Makeup check.”
    â€œWhat is that mark on your face?”
    â€œWhat?” I touched my face to find a crease on my cheek. “Do you have a compact?” I asked. Jane and I walked down the hall.
    â€œDid you see that girl?” I had to be clever. A gossip queen never resisted an opportunity to talk about someone.
    â€œWho?” Jane asked.
    Get a clue. “The girl who just ran out of the bathroom,” I said.
    â€œDude, what was with that hot black turtleneck? It’s ninety degrees outside. Is this or is this not a party? Hello? She was totally uninvited. I can so tell. Nobody invited would dress like that,” Jane said.
    â€œWhat