Oops, I'm the Principal!

A kid gets mistaken for the new school principal and has to survive a whole day running the school without anyone figuring out the truth.

You are a ten-year-old fifth grader at Riverside Elementary, and you are not exactly what teachers call a 'natural leader.' Your biggest achievement so far is being line leader in second grade. You are more of a sit-in-the-back, doodle-on-your-notebook, survive-until-recess kind of kid.

But today is the first day of school, and everything that could go wrong already has. Your alarm did not go off, your breakfast was a granola bar eaten while running, and every single one of your jackets is in the wash — so your mom handed you her old blazer, which is way too big but technically covers your arms.

'You look very professional!' your mom said, smoothing the shoulders that drooped halfway to your elbows.

'I look like a kid wearing a tent,' you muttered.

'A PROFESSIONAL tent,' she insisted, pushing you out the door.

You look ridiculous. You feel ridiculous. And as you shuffle toward the front doors of Riverside Elementary, dragging your too-long sleeves across the sidewalk, you have absolutely no idea that this oversized blazer is about to change your entire life.

The second you walk through the doors, the school secretary, Ms. Wiggins, practically launches herself from behind her desk. 'Oh thank GOODNESS you are here!' she gasps, grabbing your arm. 'We have been waiting all morning! Right this way, Principal!'

Principal? PRINCIPAL?!

'I — wait, I am not —' you start, but she is already dragging you down the hallway at light speed.

'No need to be modest!' Ms. Wiggins chirps. 'Your office is all set up. Coffee is hot, candy jar is full, and here is your walkie-talkie.'

She shoves a walkie-talkie into your hand and pushes you into a big office with a leather chair, a shiny desk, and a name plate that says 'THE PRINCIPAL' in gold letters. The door closes behind you.

You stand there, alone, holding a walkie-talkie, wearing your mom's blazer, and thinking: This is fine. This is totally fine. I am going to prison.