Both Martin and Melissa Stovall arrive at Moon Lake High at the same time. They nearly smashed their vehicles into each other as they raced into the parking lot. After parking their vehicles respectively, they both walk to the school office together. Martin is the first to talk.
“Busy morning for you, Melissa? I tried calling and you didn’t answer.” Martin asks.
“I was talking to Frances Twist at her office.” Melissa answers.
“About what?” Martin asks worriedly.
“Everything,” Melissa answers. “Our marriage. Your infidelity. Julie. Alyssa” Whispering, “this morning’s shower adventure.”
Martin heard that last bit. “I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Stopping at the school entrance; “What the hell was that about?”
Melissa is silent for a bit. “Can we table that discussion for later? I think it’s best to focus on Julie.”
“Alright,” Martin responds while opening the door. “But we will talk about it.”
Melissa quips as she enters the school office. “On that we have an agreement.”
Martin breathing a heavy sigh follows suit. They both take a seat as the secretary informs them that the Principal will see them as soon as he is off the phone.
******
Principal Andrews is still on the phone with Sheriff Cooper when the Stovall’s arrived. Getting assurances that the sheriff will be along shortly, he hangs up the phone and gets both Martin and Melissa.
“Thanks for coming down on short notice.” Andrews continues. “I’d call you myself but I was on the phone with the sheriff.”
“Your vice principal told me as such.” Martin answers. “Is it true? Did Julie attempt to violate the town’s 1A statue?”
Melissa gasps. “Julie wouldn’t have gone so far as to do that now?
“I just reviewed the security camera footage from yesterday.” Principal Andrews sighs. It shows Julie grabbing Eric in an inappropriate manner. Yet there is no visible way of telling.” Principal Andrews sits next to them. “Under the circumstances, I would let this go. But with Julie’s attempt to assault Eric during lunch period. I had to inform Sheriff Cooper of the allegation. He is on his way down now to launch an official investigation.”
“Great. And I’m going to have to inform the towns were-council about this,“ Martin moans. “I really don’t want to deal with them.”
“The price off being the town’s elected mayor I guess.” Principal Andrews responds. “But getting back to the matter at hand. Your daughter is facing school suspension; possibly expulsion. The school board will determine an appropriate punishment.”
Pending the sheriff’s investigation no less,” Melissa huffs.
“Partially,” Andrews comments. “Whether or not there is any merit to the statue 1A allegations will have no bearing on their end of the matter.” Andrews continues “The school board will simply investigate if Julie is fit to continue attending class here. Based on here recent actions and erratic behavior. Not to mention someone recording Brian Walker publicly dumping Julie and posting it on social media."
Martin places his hands over his head. Frustrated with what he is hearing. Melissa is nearly at tears. They both continue to listen to Principal Andrews as he explains why they were called down in the first place.
*****
Sheriff Cooper hangs up the phone. Looking at the Aspirin bottle he sees that it is empty. “I hate this job'" he thinks to himself. Tossing the bottle in the waste bin he gets up to head to Moon Lake. “And here I thought the days headache involved Cathy Shaffer in one of the holding cells.”
Leaving his office he looks at Deputy Stevenson. “Can you hold down the Fort for a couple of hours? I have to head to Moon Lake High.”
“Nothing wrong is there?” Stevenson comments.
The Sheriff sighs. “When you have to investigate allegations of a possible violation to statue 1A at a school; everything is wrong.” He responds while walking out the door.
*****
Julie was escorted to the councilor’s office by several teachers and told to wait there. Julie was fuming that her plan of revenge was denied. Livid that Frieda scratched Eric. Ensuring he would become a were-panther. Enraged that the teachers stopped her; from running back into the cafeteria to claw Eric’s eyes out. Worst of all, she was upset over Brian Walker and the nameless meathead who recorded the humiliating breakup she endured this morning. But what scared her most of all was what her mother and father will do to her when they find out.
Julie contemplates making a break for it. Looking around in the office, she sees no window and the door closed. The guidance counselor also in the office. Julie knew that escape would be impossible.
“Do you want to talk, Julie?” The counselor asks.
“No” She briskly responds.
“Are you sure? I know being a teenager can be a difficult time for a child.” The counselor responds, trying to find a crack in Julie’s armor.
“Oh shut up!” Julie snaps back. “Save your drivel for someone who gives a shit!”
The counselor shocked at Julie’s outburst changes tactics. “Watch you language and tone little girl. I won’t tolerate sass.”
“Then why are you here?” Julie snaps back. “Because all there is at school is sass, language and ‘tone’ that you so disapprove of.”
“Are you such a smart ass when talking to your parents?” The counselor snaps back, clearly not amused with Julie’s obvious chip on her shoulder.
Julie just stares at the counselor, refusing to answer.
The counselor shakes his head. “I can’t help you if you won’t help me Julie.”
Julie doesn’t answer for a few minutes, then sighs. “Fine; but everything. And I mean everything, does not leave this room ever.”
“I cannot guarantee that Julie.” The counselor responds with a softer tone. “But everything you tell me will be used to help you in regards to whatever issues you are dealing with.”
Julie then begins to tell the counselor everything.