The girls all tried to give convincing statements to Mr. McCue on what happened, but of course, Mr. McCue did not buy it. He wants to, but he has to believe everything Theresa says. There have been rumors around school that her parents give the school thousands of dollars to keep the campus afloat. So why would he get rid of the school's trust fund?
And after the school police came into the office and talked to Mr. McCue, I found out that Theresa was still going to file charges on me.
"This is ridiculous! Why would you believe anything she says? There were six witnesses in the gym that saw Theresa start it; so why am I on trial?"
"Because Miss Sherman has a broken arm while you barely have scratches."
"It's not my problem she can't fight," I said under my breath.
My mom heard what I mumbled, so she nudged my arm with hers.
"Charlie, all year you've been causing trouble; from back talking to your teachers, to this incident with Theresa. This is all making me wonder about you."
"What is that supposed to mean, Mr. McCue?" my dad asked while getting into Mr. McCue's face. From the looks of it, there was going to be another fight.
"Calm down, Mr. Perry. Now I see where Charlie gets her rage from."
"Okay Mr. McCue, you're getting out of hand now. Tell me why you have concerns over Charlie?" my dad asked angrily.
"The reason I said that is because Charlie is a great girl. She's an excellent student. Since she's achieving such great progress academically, she's able to maintain her extra-curricular activities. But her recent incidents with Theresa only make me think that maybe this time other discipline should be taken."
"So you'd rather let a girl, who is excellent in school, have a criminal record? As I recall, charges cannot be filed on a teenager for a physical altercation," said my mom.
I started to smile at how my parents were acting towards the principal from hell. Someone had to tell Mr. McCue off, so I was glad it was my parents.
"Will you calm down Mrs. Perry? As far as the charges go, I have nothing to do with that. Theresa and her parents have made it clear that they want to file charges. Besides, Miss Sherman was physically attacked; therefore, the charges stick."
"Is there any way we can talk to Theresa and her parents about this? Charlie is only seventeen," my dad said.
"You can try, but they refused to be in the same room with you or Charlie. Their minds are made up. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to call the police so they can come," Mr. McCue said. As he picked up his desk phone, my father went to Mr. McCue's desk and disconnected the phone line.
What are you doing, Mr. Perry?"
"Before you make that call, please hear me out."
Mr. McCue sat down in his leather desk chair and gave my dad an annoyed look.
"I'm listening."
"I think what I'm about to say would help everyone involved. I believe instead of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman pressing charges on Charlie, maybe Charlie should transfer schools. That way Charlie won't have a criminal record, and she and Theresa would not be around each other."
I completely froze when my dad said that I should change schools. I can't believe he would suggest I transfer during the middle of my senior year! What about my friends? And homecoming? And prom?
"I'm not transferring, Dad. I rather have charges filed against me than go to another school."
"I understand you don't want to transfer, but I think it would be a good idea," my dad said.
"Mom, please tell me you don't agree to this? This is my senior year. I can't leave Parker during my senior year!"
My mom looked at me with a sad expression on her face. From the look she was giving me, I already knew her answer.
"No Mom. Do not agree to this."
"I'm sorry, baby, but I think this is a good idea too."
Mr. McCue looked at me, and then my parents.
"What you say Mr. McCue?" asked my dad.
"I think that could be arranged. If Charlie did have charges pressed against her, she could have been expelled from Parker. So this could work out for everyone."
"Figured you would say that. You'd rather me go, instead of the Bank of Sherman. If you disciplined Theresa, all the funds for the school would be cut off."
"Charlie!" my mom said in a surprised tone.
"Well, is it true?"
"That's not true Charlie and you know it," Mr. McCue said.
I looked at Mr. McCue and then my parents with a disgusted look.
As the three were discussing transfer procedures for me to go to the nearest school in the area, I slumped in my seat even lower.
Life as I knew it, is over.
After Today's Events, all I wanted to do was crawl into my bed and never come out. I could not believe my parents would do something so foul to me. I'm not being spoiled, or throwing a temper tantrum; I understand they were looking out for me, but this is my senior year! This is supposed to be the happiest time in my high school life and now I have to spend it with strangers. After thirty minutes of discussing the transfer and informing the Sherman's of the new plan, they agreed to drop the charges. While Theresa gets the good end of the stick, I get stuck with the crap end. As I was on my way home, I called Eva to tell her that her best friend is no longer a student at Parker.
"What! I do not believe this! You know you could sue the school for this."
"Why? My parents were the ones who suggested the transfer."
"That is messed up. What school are you going to?"
"Belmont. I'm a Spartan now."
"Ah girl. I'm sorry for all this. Believe me Theresa is going to get hers."
"I know."
"You're starting tomorrow?"
"Yeah, can't wait." I said in a dull tone.
"Don't stress over it. You never know, you might like it there."
I laughed. "I sincerely doubt it."
"Well, all I can say is keep your head up. Besides, it not like you're moving away. We can hang out on the weekends."
I smiled. Give it to Eva to make things seem like they're not so bad. That's what I love about her. She always sees the positive in every situation.
As I pulled my black Ford Mustang convertible into the driveway of my parents' two-story home, I looked at my cell phone and smiled.
"Thanks girl for the advice. I'm at home now, so I'll give you a call later."
"Talk to you later."
"Bye."
As I hung up the phone, I got out of my car slowly, took out my black Coach tote bag and matching mini clutch, and dragged my feet to the door. As I put my key into the keyhole, I carefully unlocked the door and walked into the house. As I walked into the living room, I saw my parents sitting on our beige loveseat near the TV. I gave them an icy stare as I walked up the stairs.
"Charlie Marie Perry, bring your ass back here now!" my mother yelled.
I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling and turned around. I walked back into the living room and folded my arms across my chest.
"I do not know why you're so upset over what happened. We should be upset with you over what you've done today!" my mom yelled.
"We were looking out for you by transferring you to Belmont," my dad added.
"I appreciate that, but you don't understand. This is my senior year! Everything that I was looking forward to is gone now because I'm not going to be there. I'm not going to go to prom with my friends or even graduate with them."
"We understand that and we feel bad about it, but if your dad did not suggest you go to Belmont, then you would be facing criminal charges."
I looked at my mom and sighed. I knew my parents had my best interests at heart, so it's not like I could have been upset with them.
I gave my mom a tiny smile and she gave me a hug.
My dad came up to us and smiled.
"We know you're upset baby girl, but this is for the best. Besides, you can still see your friends on the weekends."
I smiled at my parents and took both their hands.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I know tomorrow will be difficult, but I'll make it work."
"That is all we want to hear," my mom said as she kissed my cheek.
"Besides, you're a Perry. Perrys never give up on anything," my dad said. He kissed me on the forehead and smiled.
I gave my parents another smile and headed upstairs. As I went into my room, I closed the door and looked around. Everything in my room reminded me of Parker. From the cheer banner, to my red and white pom-poms I had to return, everything in here made me think of what I was going to miss. As I flopped down on my bed, I looked at the ceiling and sighed. I wanted to cry but my heart would not let me. I said I would do this and I will. Because my dad is right, Perrys are never quitters. Never was and never will be.
~
The morning arrived
and I was getting ready for my debut at Belmont High. I wish this morning did not come so soon, that way I could stay in my nice cozy bed and think that the last two days were a bad dream. As I went downstairs, I noticed my mom was in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee.
"Hey. I thought you left already?"
"I will. I just wanted to see you before I did."
"Mom, it's not like I'm five and going off to kindergarten. I do not need you to hold my hand."
"I know baby, but I just want you to know that your dad and I love you so much."
I smiled at my mom. It is good to hear when your parents tell you how much they love you. Just like I know when I tell my parents I love them, it makes their day.
"I love you too, Mom." I said.
My mom looked at her watch and got up from the stool seated near the breakfast bar. She drank the last of her coffee and smiled at me again.
"I'll see you tonight, okay?"
"Okay Mom. Have a good day at work."
"I'll try," she said as she grabbed her purse and briefcase and headed out the door. I know being a lawyer is stressful, so I did not need to give my mom any added stress. As I grabbed my tote bag and purse, I took a deep breath and went out the door. A new day, and a new beginning was approaching, whether I liked it or not.
~
As I drove to the New Oaks section of Sugar Land, I never realized how snobbish this area looked. Just the look of the area gave me the impression that Belmont High wasn't going to be any different. The only thing I knew about Belmont, was that the students were pretty arrogant, but had a very good football team. Even though Parker is considered an uppity area as well, Belmont kids look down on us like we are dog doo on the ground; mainly because of the rivalry of our football teams. So I guess word of advice for me, don't tell anyone I'm from Parker. As I made a left turn toward the school, I remembered the phone call I had with Eva and Ashley earlier that morning.
"No matter where you are, you're always going to be our girl," Eva said.
"We got your back no matter what," said Ashley.
I smiled at the nice things my girls said. I wished I was hanging out with them now, but there was no point dwelling on the past. As I pulled into a parking space, I looked around the parking lot and realized it looked like a scene out of a rap video. Every high priced car you could think of was in the lot. Convertibles, SUVs, and expensive two- seaters were all occupying spaces on the elaborate school grounds. Even though my metallic black Mustang is considered high-quality, it doesn't hold a candle to my dream car: a BMW 528i. As I saw a black one pull up into a parking space a row near my car, I wonder how a teenager could get that type of car.
"Rich parents," I said to myself as I got out of the car.
Really, I could consider myself a spoiled kid. Even though we're not rich, we're living comfortably. My mom's a lawyer while my dad's an advertising executive at a prestige advertising firm; so my friends always thought we were rich. If they thought I was, they needed to take a look at the scene I was witnessing at Belmont.
The school could be a duplicate for the rich kids you see on teen soaps. There were kids sitting on the lawn, and kids walking around talking on their cell phones. As I started to walk down the long sidewalk to the actual building, I had several eyes focusing on me. I wanted to ask people what they were staring at, but I did not want to be ignorant; so I kept walking.
As I approached the building, I looked over and noticed someone staring at me. This person I did not mind staring. He was too fine. He had one of those faces that would make any girl swoon. He had short blond hair that was spiked up a little. He had a nice body and the most beautiful eyes you'd ever seen. I couldn't tell what color they were, but I could tell they were nice. As he looked at me, I gave him one of my sexy smiles and walked toward the building. As I was walking, I did not realize how close I was to the door. Good thing I noticed before I busted my face though it. I opened the door and went inside.
This could work out after all.
"Why do I bother coming to school?" I asked my friend Chris Donavan as I got out of my BMW 528i.
"Because you have to," he said while hopping out of the passenger seat.
As I started to walk through the crowded parking lot of Belmont High, I looked around at the same faces and wondered if anything would ever change. It's hard being the most popular guy in school. I am not being cocky about it; it is what people labeled me. As soon as I stepped onto Belmont's steps, I was considered the guy everyone liked. Every activity Belmont offered, I was in, captain of the football and basketball teams, and student body president. And, I still had time to master a 4.0 GPA. I'm not going to brag, but there is a list going around school claiming I'm the hottest guy at Belmont. So I guess I'm living the good life, huh? I am, but it gets old quick.
As Chris and I walked to the quad, three girls who looked like sophomores came up to us. They looked at me with huge grins on their faces.
"Hi Michael," they said in unison.
"Hey," I said.
As I walked away, the girls started breathing erratically because I said hi to them. That is what I have a problem with. It seems like I'm a freaking celebrity around here when I'm just an average seventeen year old senior.