It was just another day in journalism class when suddenly the phone started ringing. No big deal, right? It’s probably just someone going home or an administrator calling about something or other. I hardly thought twice about what was going on. Then, it happened.

“Julia, the Dean wants to see you in his office,” Mr. Goins said.

I knew what this was about. A few days before the call my friend and I decided to skip class and go to Dollar Tree. Why? We had a bad day and didn’t feel like being in class. But at some point during this missed class time, I must have been caught. 

I breathed in, stood up and walked to the Dean’s office. When I walked in, I gave the Dean the look of shame. I knew what was coming. 

“You have detention after school tomorrow for ditching,” said the Dean.

After my sentencing, I went back to my sixth period and shared the news with my classmates. My teacher gave me a surprised look and my friends broke out in laughter. 

The following day I waited patiently for the end of school. I attended all six of my classes with not a single thought of ditching. Soon enough, it was time.

I sat in the office’s waiting area and met a young freshman boy. I recognized him. He got in a fight one day at my middle school a few years back. He shared his new story. Not surprisingly, he was in detention for getting in yet another fight. 

As if getting detention was not already bad enough, I was put in a different office where I came face to face with one of my classmates doing edgenuity. If I could have chosen one person not to see me there, it would have been her.

Other than those moments, detention was boring. I sat for about half an hour doing homework when the Dean eventually told me I could just leave early. I thanked him and left. I had survived detention! 

The worst part is, I found out later my mom was the one who had turned me in for ditching. Thanks Mom.

Moral of the story: Don’t ditch class. You will have tons of work to make up and you run the risk of being caught. Worse than that, your reputation and trust with teachers will deteriorate. Save time with friends for lunchtime and after school. Stay on track, your grades and teachers will thank you.

And if you ever find yourself in detention, it’s quite boring. Bring your homework, a book and a big apology.