The First Small Thing

The pauses, the rhythm, even the slight lift in her delivery when she read sports announcements were perfect. Only today was not her show. The broadcast continued: “Reminder to everyone heading to the lakeshore cleanup this afternoon, stay away from the old ferry dock before two o’clock. The chain is going to break. Also, don’t stand under the light box on the west side of the cafeteria.” The hallway froze for half a second, and then laughter broke out. A gym teacher shouted from the doorway, “Who’s doing this? Cut the sound.” A math teacher passing by gave Jessa a look that said the radio club was wasting everybody’s time. Mara caught the principal staring down the hall, already deciding this was probably some lazy student stunt.