Clover ~
"You three. My office. NOW!" A tubby man huffed and gestured for us to follow him down the hall. He walked with a confident stride, one that didn't match his short stature.
Ah this must be Principal Waters.
I briefly remembered talking to him over the phone when my mom and I were making arrangements for my transfer to Ceder High. He had seemed like a nice guy when I spoke to him, so hopefully he would be open to listening to my side of the story.
"Hey there Principal Waters!" Wyatt patted the balding man on the head and laughed. "What's going on man?"
I was about to kick Wyatt in the shin and make him screw off, when Evan tapped me on the shoulder and passed me a piece of crumpled up paper.
"What are we middle school girls?" I hissed under my breath, but Evan just winked and walked away.
"Oh look at the time! I've got to get going, Waterman, catch you later!" Wyatt patted Principal Waters once more, and mouthed "Read the paper" to me as he walked in the opposite direction that we were headed.
The principal waved his hands in frustration as Jackson's friend left. Hopefully, Wyatt hadn't just put the man in a bad mood with his antics. I mean why'd he have to go and rub the guy's bald head?
—
Once we made it to his office, Principal Waters had Ashley's bodyguard and me wait outside on some uncomfortable leather chairs, while Ashley went in alone. I tried to hear what they were saying, but it was damn near impossible with the door closed. For such an old building you would think the soundproofing would be pretty bad.
I rubbed the paper Evan had given me between my fingers as I waited. I was tempted to pull it out and read it, but I didn't want the moron next to me reading it too. He did seem pretty enthralled with his phone though, so he probably wouldn't notice if I read it, but I still didn't want to take any chances.
"Bathroom!" I blurted out. Everyone, including the guy sitting next to me stared. "Uhh… I mean, may I go to the bathroom please?"
The principal's secretary, Amanda, crossed her arms. "Can't you wait until after Mr. Waters calls you?"
"No ma'am, please, it's urgent!" I begged, squeezing my legs together a bit like I actually had to go.
"Fine."
"Aww poor little guy has to go pee pee." Ashley's friend snickered under his breath, not bothering to look up from his phone.
I gave him a dirty look and started to walk out of the office when I realized I had no idea where the bathroom actually was. "Uhh where–"
"Down the hall to the right. Be back in 5 minutes."
"Kay, thanks." I walked slowly out of the office, and then picked up speed as I made my way towards the bathroom. I needed to read whatever was on that piece of paper and get back to the principal's office quickly.
—
Thankfully, there was no one else in the bathroom. I made sure to check under the stalls too, just in case. Alone at last, I locked myself in the stall farthest from the door and unfolded the piece of paper. The words were barely legible, being hastily written by someone who's writing wasn't the best to begin with.
Clover Script for Water
Hello sir. Before you punish me just know that I am very ill and have recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer—
Nope.
I crumpled up the note and threw it into the toilet. Those idiots seriously distracted the principal to give me this? They were beginning to make Jackson look like a genius in comparison.
Feeling a bit dejected, I started to leave the bathroom when I suddenly had a great idea. I checked my reflection in the bathroom mirror and sure enough bits of potato and gravy decorated my hair, and some of it was dried to the side of my face and neck.
I looked pitiful, and disgusting... but mostly pitiful.
I could definitely play this angle. I mean, I was the victim here after all. Ashley had thrown food at me and her buddy practically started the so called fight. Sure, it was a bit compromising that Principal Waters had walked into the classroom right when I had begun to throw a punch, but could you blame me?
Yeah, how could he not take my side? He'd be a fool not to.
Feeling a bit lighter than when I left for the bathroom, I walked back to the office, determined to clear my name.
"Ashley, Brock, just wait outside for a few more minutes while I have a word with Mr. Walsh here." He smiled and gestured to the leather chairs outside of his office.
"Sure thing Principal Waters!" Ashley replied sweetly, taking a seat.
Her and Brock, I guess, sneered as I walked past them into the small office. Uh oh looks like things had gone pretty good with Ashley and the principal. This was pretty unexpected. I rubbed my eyes hard trying to coax some tears out before I faced the small man.
"Uh hello sir." I slowly sat down on the couch in front of his desk. It was a bit too low to the ground and made my legs bend awkwardly.
He didn't say hi back.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself young man?" His jolly demeanor as Ashley left his office had reverted to his earlier harsh disposition in the hallway.
"Well, I–"
"I don't know what you're used to in Florida, but this campus has a zero tolerance policy for fighting on school grounds."
"I don't–" I started to defend myself, but was rudely cut off.
"That's right, I looked you up Mr. Walsh, seems like you had quite the reputation at your old school."
"Not even!" I huffed. "That was just like one or five times… and they started it!" I couldn't believe this guy, looking into me and being all accusatory. I was the victim here!
"Let me guess," he smiled cooly, "Ashley and Brock are the ones that started it then?"
"YES! Cough I mean, yes sir."
"See, now I know you're lying. That Ashley is a good kid you know. Her dad's the Mayor and he gives lots of money to help keep this poor school afloat, though it might not look like much to someone like you." He dragged out the "you" a bit and his eyes slightly narrowed.
What lies had she been feeding this man while I had been in the bathroom. I was literally gone for 10 minutes max.
I opened my mouth to say something in my defense, but nothing came out… I wasn't sure what to say anymore, or what he'd believe, even if it was the truth.
"Don't hurt yourself now, she explained to me the situation, and honestly, I can't blame her." He chuckled, my flustered face appearing to amuse him somewhat.
"SHE THREW FOOD AT MY FACE!" I stood up, and roughly shoved my fingers in my hair. Bits of mashed potato flew onto Principal Waters desk, and I think one even made its way into his open cup of coffee.
"Sit back down young man! Before I call your mom down here!"
Even though I was furious, I grit my teeth and forced myself to take a seat on his stupid sofa. I couldn't let my mom be called to the school, especially not on her first day of work. If she got in trouble with her boss it would be all my fault. And, even if she was able to leave work with no repercussions, I still wouldn't want her coming to the school.
It's not like I thought she'd be mad mad at me or anything. I knew for a fact that she would take my side, no questions asked, but she would definitely end up feeling guilty for moving us out here and start worrying about me more than she already was, and her getting all psycho mamabear and overprotective was not what I needed right now.
"Now, I am in a decent mood today, so no parents or punishments will be involved as long as you kids make up. Pretty good deal, huh?" He flashed his off-white teeth at me.
"Wait a minute! I'm not going to apologize to anyone!" I crossed my arms.
"In that case," he picked up his phone and started to dial.
"WAIT!" I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "I'll apolo…mmmn"
"What was that?"
"I SAID I'LL APOLOGIZE… uh sir."
"Smart move." Waters clapped his hands and smiled. "Open the door and tell your classmates to come in."
I gribbed the door knob with a bit more strength than necessary. "Ya'll can come in now." I grumbled, feeling a bit defeated.
Ashley smiled curtly and walked in, followed closely by Brock.
"Ashley, anything you'd like to say to this young man?" Waters smiled and gestured to me with his hand.
"I'm sorry for accidentally getting food on you. I know a really good detergent for getting things out. I can bring you some if you want."
Without warning she went in for a hug, digging her nails into my back a bit as she did so. I didn't hug her back, instead choosing to keep my arms by my side.
"Okay, your turn Mr. Walsh."
"I'm just sooo sorry, Ashley." I gave her a fake smile and cocked my head a bit like she liked to do.
"Sorry for what, Mr. Walsh?"
"Umm…" I glanced at Principal Waters. What more did this guy want me to say?
"You're sorry for trying to steal my boyfriend." Ashley replied for me.
"Yes… WHAT?" I looked at Waters again, who was all smiles. "I am not gay principal, sir."
"It's okay, we don't discriminate in this school, son."
"I'm seriously not gay!"
"Pff." Brock put his hand to his mouth and avoided making eye contact with me.
"Shut up di–"
Principal Waters tapped his phone in a threatening manner.
"I mean, sorry for trying to punch you buddy." I patted Brock awkwardly on the shoulder.
With that he laughed even harder, and it took everything I had to keep myself from digging my nails into his arm. "That's okay, Clover, it wouldn't hurt if you punched me anyways."
"Oh yeah?!" My cheeks flushed, but another glance at Waters helped me regain my cool. "Oh yeah, I bet haha. You are pretty strong man." I chuckled and swatted him on the bicep a bit harder than necessary.
"Gee thanks little buddy." He ruffled the top of my head roughly.
"See how easy that was! Now look at how good ya'll are getting along." He rocked in his chair like he was going to get up, but was unsuccessful. "Uh Amanda, write these kids a pass for 8th period." His rosy cheeks tinged with embarrassment as we walked out. Served him right.
"Oh and Clover,"
I rolled my eyes and faced the enemy once more.
"What?"
"Don't let me get anymore reports about you starting fights. I already had three about you already, and it's only your first day. Most students go the whole year without getting even one report, so it looks like you are pretty special."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Don't give me a reason to bring you in here again."
"Yes sir."
I let the door slam shut behind me, and flipped it off while Miss Amanda was busy writing my pass. The principal here was such a douche.
Without thanking her, I snatched the pass from the secretary and stormed out of the office. Jackson better not try to mess with me after school today, or he had another thing coming. My mood was shot, and that freak was not going to help it.