The Sticking Locker

Ages 12-15

Yoel's new locker sticks, and the bell is about to ring.

It is the third one from the end, with a dent at the corner. He turns the dial to the last number, and pulls the handle, and the door does not open.

He hits it with the flat of his hand, low down, by the dent. He tries the handle. He hits it again, higher.

The hall is emptying. A boy with a stack of books walks past, and does not slow down. Yoel takes the handle in both hands and lifts it up, as he pulls, and puts his foot on the wall.

It does not move.

The bell goes. The doors up and down the hall are closing, and the corridor is quiet. He stands with his books under his arm and his coat on, and the locker closed in front of him.

He puts the books on the floor beside his feet. He takes his coat off, and lays it over them. He goes to class with his pencil in his hand.

After school, the hall is empty and the lights are low. He goes to the locker, and turns the dial. He lifts the handle and pulls, and it opens, with a creak, all at once.

He stands with his hand flat on the open door.