Inevitable question

me & mike-camping-60s_adj01-sm.jpg

they were shaped like pencils. blue, with a white line along each edge.

their erasers were so coarse they would rip the paper when you tried to use them.

there were 12 in a box. the box was sitting on a table in the classroom.

i was in the room by myself and i took the box.

i didn't want the pens. i don't know why i took the box.

i set it on the windowsill in my bedroom.

my dad saw it, and asked where i got it.

i hadn't thought about that inevitable question.

i wasn't prepared to have to lie.

"at school" i said.

the next day we were in the principal's office.