I was just standing there, minding my own business, trying to find a good quiet spot. The big hall was pretty loud, filled with kids running around and doors banging shut. I just wanted to get a little peace before I had to deal with the chaos again. My head was already starting to ache a little from all the noise, so I found a corner near some empty display cases.
Then this person came up to me. Right away, I got a bad feeling in my gut. They had that look, you know? Like they were looking at me but not really seeing me, just seeing what they wanted to see. They walked right up, not even a hello or anything.
“Excuse me,” they said, their voice a little sharp. “I’ve been waiting for ages. Where is the office for the new registrations?”
I blinked. I had no idea what they were talking about. My heart started to beat a little faster, like it always does when I’m caught off guard. I just wanted to tell them I didn’t know and go back to my quiet corner. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I told them, trying to be polite. “I don’t actually work here.”
They didn’t even flinch. Their eyes just sort of narrowed a tiny bit. “Of course you do. You’re standing right by the main entrance. Don’t try to fob me off. I need to get this done today. My child needs to start next week, and I was told I could come in for the paperwork.”
My brow furrowed. I felt a wave of confusion wash over me. I looked down at what I was wearing. Just my regular clothes, nothing that looked like a uniform or a staff badge. My jacket was a simple gray, and my pants were dark. I definitely didn’t have a name tag. “No, really,” I tried again, my voice a little tighter this time. “I’m just here for a meeting with a teacher. I’m not staff. I can’t help you with registration stuff.”
The person put their hands on their hips. They were really getting annoyed, and that made my own irritation bubble up. “This is ridiculous! Every time I come here, it’s the same thing. No one wants to help. You’re clearly in a position to assist. Just point me in the right direction. It can’t be that hard.” Their voice was getting louder, and I could feel my cheeks getting warm. My jaw tightened.
“I just told you,” I said, and now my own voice was starting to rise a bit. “I don’t work for this school. I’m a visitor. I don’t know where the registration office is. I don’t know anything about it.” The noise in the hall seemed to get even louder, pressing in on me.
“Don’t you dare talk to me in that tone!” they practically yelled. A couple of kids nearby stopped their running for a second and looked over. I felt my face flush crimson. This was getting out of hand way too fast. “You are incredibly rude. I’m a taxpayer! My money funds this institution, and I expect better service than this. Now, either you tell me where to go, or I’m going to report you to your supervisor.”
A throbbing started behind my eyes. I felt a surge of pure frustration. They just wouldn’t listen. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. My fists were clenched at my sides. “I don’t have a supervisor here! Because I don’t work here! Do you understand? I am not an employee!” I practically barked the last part, my voice sharp and loud enough that my throat felt a little scratchy.
Their mouth dropped open. Their expression was a mixture of shock and outrage. “How dare you! You think you can just yell at a parent? I will have your job for this! What is your name? I’m going to make sure you’re fired by the end of the day. This is unacceptable! You will regret speaking to me like that!” Their voice was now a shrill screech, and it was really starting to grate on my nerves.
I could feel my muscles tense up, ready to just walk away, but some part of me, fueled by pure annoyance, wanted to make them understand. I closed my eyes for a brief second, trying to keep my temper in check. My fists were still clenched at my sides. “You can’t have my job,” I stated through gritted teeth. “Because I don’t have one here. I told you that three times already.”
“Oh, so now you’re going to lie?” they sneered. “Deny being an employee after yelling at me? I’ve seen people like you before. Trying to get out of doing your job. Just tell me who’s in charge! I’ll go straight to them and tell them about your unprofessional behavior. You’ll be lucky to keep your position.”
My head was pounding. I stared at them, and I could feel the blood rushing to my ears. My patience was completely gone. I decided to try one more time, with something that was undeniable. Something that should click in their brain.
“Listen,” I said, my voice low but firm, cutting through their rising complaints. “I am not an employee here. I am a student. I am enrolled in the night classes that use this building after hours. I am waiting for my English professor to arrive for a special study session. My student ID is in my wallet, and it clearly shows I’m a student, not staff.”
The person stopped their ranting. They looked at me, really looked at me for the first time. Their eyes, which had been so full of anger, slowly, slowly widened. A flicker of something, maybe realization, crossed their face. They seemed to deflate a little, their shoulders slumping. The color drained from their face a bit. The loud hall noise filled the silence that had suddenly fallen between us. They just stood there, looking at me, processing what I had said. After a long moment, they just turned around, muttered something I couldn’t quite hear, and then walked away quickly, melting into the crowd of parents and kids.
I just stood there for a bit, trying to let my heart slow down. My headache was worse now, but at least they were gone.
