As Claire tried to sort out her feelings for Officer Ryan and decide what she was actually going to do next, back at Moon Lake High School, Eric Anderson was in a similar situation.
He stood in the hallway outside the school cafeteria, where he had just made an emotional stand on his position in regards to the situation with Julie Stovall and his recent entry into were society as a werewolf*, and was now trying to explain himself to his new girlfriend and sister wolf Cassie O'Sullivan without breaking down and crying, unaware that they were not alone in the hallway.
"NOT how I pictured my first day back at school after becoming a were," admitted Eric, while staring at Cassie.
"I know," she said, sympathetically, while staring at her boyfriend.
"The congratulations have been nice, and I've gotten plenty of those, even from people who I didn't know were weres before now. Yet it seemed like every other person also had something to say about me and Julie too. THAT was what was getting to me," conceded Eric. "I just needed to clear the air and set the record straight, especially after that blonde were-mer demanded to know what my intentions toward Julie were."
"And it does sound like you accomplished that task admirably Mister Anderson," said a male voice behind him.
Cassie looked up as Eric turned around to see Principal Andrews behind him. The older, red haired man stared at the two teenagers and said, "Sounds like you've had quite a weekend, let alone lunch break."
"Not much on that last part. I never got an actual bite to eat," replied Eric, not seeing Cassie shake her head to basically indicate she didn't either. Then he stared at the Principal and asked, "Am I in any trouble sir?"
"I can't say for certain until I confer with the teachers inside on lunch monitor duty, but do you think you are or should be?" the Principal asked in return.
"Truthfully sir? I don't know either way," conceded Eric.
"I understand. It's tough being a teenager. Let alone a teenager in love. I know. I've been in your shoes," admitted Principal Andrews. "But I've also heard quite a lot about Friday night and events over the weekend too, even from people who were actually there. Now, the Freshman lunch period is about to end, but if you two don't mind eating with the Sophomore class, I'll excuse you from Study Hall today while I talk to the monitors."
"But I don't have any more lunch money," realized Cassie, which prompted Eric to look in his wallet, only to discover he was in a similar situation.
"Well, just tell the cashier it's on me, and I'll settle with her later. Okay?" asked Principal Andrews, as he escorted Eric and Julie back into the cafeteria, before he sought out the teachers on lunch monitor duty.
ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER...
Eric and Julie were finishing up their belated meal as Principal Andrews approached them. He couldn't help noticing how natural the two of them seemed, sitting next to each other and chatting about everything that happened to them so far that morning. It reminded him of his own high school days and...
But those were thoughts for later. Time to get back to business.
"Mister Anderson," began the Principal, approaching the kids.
"Yes sir?" asked Eric, looking up at him.
"I still need to talk to Arthur Curtis and see why he approached you to begin with, let alone why he kept his fists clenched the whole time you spoke, which is not a sign of good behavior in my book. Otherwise, by all accounts, except perhaps for calling everyone's attention before you started your statement, you handled yourself honorably. While normally yelling across the cafeteria itself would be an infraction, under the circumstances, I can let it slide. This time," replied the Principal, stressing the last two words.
"Yes sir. I understand," said Eric, agreeing with the Principal's decision.
"Miss O'Sullivan, there are no questions in regards to your behavior during the incident, so you have no worries in the matter, except to be concerned about your new boyfriend."
"Yes sir. Thank you, and I am," said Cassie.
"Now then, in regards to your personal lives. Privately, I wish you two the best," admitted Principal Andrews. "But publicly, I do have a school to run, so hopefully nothing like this will ever happen again. Now then, the bell's about to ring switching from Sophomore to Junior Class lunch, and you two need to get on to your next class."
Cassie and Eric started to get up to take care of their empty lunch trays before leaving when Principal Andrews said, "Oh. Mister Anderson. Since I know you live next door to her, perhaps you might want to talk to Doctor Twist about today when you get the chance."
"Good idea. I will," promised Eric, as he and Cassie started to leave the cafeteria. "And thank you again for lunch."
"You're welcome," said Principal Andrews, as he watched them leave, and wondered where the ladies from his youth were today.
MEANWHILE...
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*In the recent episode "Eric makes his stand".—tmw.