An Interview with the Principal
Disclaimer:
Me: I am a millionaire because I wrote a set of best selling books called the Twilight Saga
SM: *indignant* No you're not! I'm the one who wrote the Twilight Saga and made millions
Me: *annoyed* you couldn't play along for one minute, could you?
********
I anxiously tapped my fingers on the desk as I awaited the arrival of Mr & Mrs Cullen. I had met them once before when they registered their adopted children at the school and at the time they seemed like wonderful down to earth people. It was this that made me all the more uncomfortable about today's meeting. It was the part of the job I hate – having to tell good people about their children's indiscretions, and what I had uncovered was no minor indiscretion.
There was a tap on my door and Ms Pevensie, my secretary, entered "Mr & Mrs Cullen are here." she informed me.
"Send them in."
Through the door walked two godlike figures. I hastily stood and shook their gloved hands whilst introducing myself.
Once we were seated I took a deep breath and mentally steeled myself for what I was about to say. "Mr & Mrs Cullen, I'm sorry to have to call you down here today but it seems we have had a few incidents regarding your children."
"Carlisle ad Esme, please." he corrected
"Carlisle and Esme." I agreed
"Which ones?" Carlisle asked, sounding more exasperated than worried and I wondered how often he had been called in to see the principal at their last school.
"Rosalie, Emmett, Reneesme, Jacob, Alice and Jasper."
I saw surprise flit across his face as I rattled off all but two of his children's names.
"Was this one incident they were all involved in or separate ones on the same day?" he questioned
"Three separate incidents, all today."
"Well I guess you'd best explain." he said ruefully and I couldn't help be a little annoyed at how he was taking this all in his stride.
"Well to begin with I need to disclose to you a recent discovery my staff have made." he nodded for me to continue "It would appear that some of your children are romantically and in some cases sexually involved with one another."
I waited for the outraged denials but Carlisle and Esme were as calm as ever. "I am aware of this." he responded, causing me to become momentarily speechless
"You are?" I managed to ask
"Yes, they are not biologically related, nor did those romantically involved grow up together as siblings so we do not see it as a big issue. When they told us it was clear they were all serious about their relationships and so my wife and I decided to support them."
"You support them?"
"Yes." he repeated "If we did not they would probably just continue their relations behind our backs and I would prefer they were honest with us and that they have a safe place to be together."
I scowled as I considered the implications of that "You allow them to have sex?"
He nodded "If I did not do you really believe they would stop? More likely they would start doing it in abandoned parking lots or other unsafe locations. At least at home we can ensure they behave responsibly."
I had to admit that made sense.
"So just to clarify Rosalie and Emmett are involved?" I asked, referring to the list before me, I wanted to be sure he knew about all of them. He nodded
"Rosalie's brother Jasper is involved with Alice?" another nod
"Alices sister Bella is involved with Edward, Emmetts brother?"
"Yes"
"And Edward and Emmetts cousin Renessme is involved with Jacob?"
"That about sums it up." Esme said, speaking for the first time.
I came to a decision then: "I see, well as long as you are comfortable with this the school will not interfere."
Carlisle was right – trying to stop something like that would probably only drive them closer together
He smiled at me "We appreciate that. So what about we get down to the reason we're here today?"
"Right, I'll start with Rosalie and Emmett then. Would you prefer for me to call them in before or after I explain?" I asked
He glanced at his wife once before asking me to call them in first
I shuffled through my papers and extracted the notes I had made when Mr Rainer told me about the incident and scanned them quickly as we waited for Ms Pevensie to call them.
Both entered with heads bowed and looking repentant, both cast nervous glances at their parents, apparently they did not expect this to be pleasant.
"Rosalie, Emmett, take a seat." I instructed them.
"Today Mr Rainer found Rosalie and Emmett in a supply closet," I informed Carlisle and Esme "they had both discarded various items of clothing and appeared to be involved in some heavy petting. Mr Rainer was of the impression that had he not interceded it most likely would have had sex in there."
Carlisle and Esme turned to look at their children, both had expressions of disappointment but Esmes appeared to be tinged with anger.
"Is this true? Would it have progressed to sex?" she asked.
Emmett dipped his head.
The pair then glared at their parents as though their parents had said something which they took offence to. They sat glowering in silence before suddenly diverting their gaze and I got the distinct impression I had missed something.
They were all so still it was unnerving, I cleared my throat and they all turned back to me.
"Your parents have explained your unique situation to us." I told them " and the school will not try to get involved in it so I will treat this as though you were any two students found having relations in a supply closet." I paused before continuing "Now, I'm sure you were both well aware you were breaking the rules?" I questioned
"They were." Esme answered for them
"So since you enjoy spending time in supply closets your punishment will be, from tomorrow to help the janitor with cleaning the classrooms for two hours every day after school for the next two weeks."
Both stared at me in surprise "You're not suspending us?"
"No Miss Hale I don't generally believe in suspensions – they are often more a reward than punishment." I replied before looking at their parents again "Do you agree with this punishment?"
"Yes." Carlisle responded as Rosalie stared angrily at him "but you may recall they need to be excused from school on Thursday and Friday to attend a function out of town." I scowled hoping he wasn't trying to lessen their sentence "but I'm sure they can make up the days afterwards." he continued and I relaxed slightly, pleased he realised the seriousness of the situation.
"That's quite acceptable."
"Dad!" Rosalie protested
"No Rosalie." it was Esme who answered her "You knew the rules and chose to ignore them. I personally agree, this is a much more appropriate than a suspension and maybe you will learn to pick your locations more carefully in future."
Rosalie did not respond but she was still scowling. I noticed Emmett had slipped his arm around her waist as though both restraining and comforting her.
Something about Esmes answer bothered me though – the way she said pick your locations more carefully made it seem as though she was objecting more to them choosing somewhere they would be caught than them choosing to do it at school.
"Alright, you two can go." I dismissed them but Carlisle stopped them before they left
"Do you mind if they wait outside while we deal with the others?" he asked me "I want to talk to them all afterwards."
"Of course, they can wait in Ms Pevensie's office."
Both left without another word.
"Nessie and Jacob next?" Carlisle asked
"Ah, now with them it was more Reneesme who got into trouble first and the Jacob got involved later defending her. Normally I would only send a note home to the parents informing them for this sort of incident as I don't really consider it serious enough for me to call the parents in to discuss it but since you were already here about the others I thought we could discuss Reneesme and Jacob as well" I explained.
They indicated that this was agreeable and I proceeded to call in the next pair. As we waited I noted Rosalie and Emmetts punishment and found my sheet on Renessme and Jacob.
Renessme was blushing when she entered as soon as she saw her parents she began apologising "Esme, Carlisle I'm so sorry, but when she said those things about Edward and Jake, I just…"
"Nessie, would you like to tell us what happened first?" Carlisle interrupted her.
She looked at them in surprise "You don't know?"
Carlisle shook his head
I was slightly annoyed that he wanted her to explain – in my opinion students had a habit of downplaying a situation when they thought they'd get into trouble so I preferred to be the one to relate their indiscretions. Resneesme was already talking so I decided to allow her to continue – I could always elaborate afterwards
"Well I was in the corridor when Jillian was standing behind me talking to Cindy. She was discussing the boys and said Edward deserved better than Bella. I turned to contradict her and it escalated from there."
"We need more information than that." Carlsile said firmly. Both he took her hand and Esme went to stand behind her, laying her hands on Reneesmes shoulders as though to give her support
With remarkable honesty Reneesme recounted: "She said when she was done Edward and her would be an item, I naturally said that would never happen and then she said that maybe Cindy would hook up with Jake. So I said she couldn't even get an unattached guy so how did she plan to get one in a long standing relationship. Jillian then claimed she was single by choice, I told her that was bullshit and she called me a bitch. Jake caught the last part of our conversation and got involved. He said that Jillian and Cindy should just mind their own business; that neither he nor Edward were interested, or ever would be interested in them and that was when Ms Farmer saw us and came to break it up."
She had dropped her gaze near the end and pulled her hand away, manoevering out of Esme's grip. I knew she was protecting Jacob. Carlisle and Esme also seemed to notice she was concealing something.
"Reneesme, you're hiding something." Carlisle said firmly, using her full name for the first time. She glanced at him but remained silent
"She's protecting me Carlisle." inserted Jacob. We all turned to look at him. I had never seen teenagers behave like this.
"After I told them we were not interested I said that they should mind their own fucking business and stay out of our lives." he quoted
This seemed to incense Esme more than the whole cat fight. "Jacob Black you know better than to use that sort of language." she admonished "and you too Nessie." she added as an after thought.
"Yes Esme" both murmured.
"I understand your reasons" Carlisle told the pair "but Nessie you did not need to be hurtful in your response nor did you need to cause I scene. You must learn to handle things peacefully"
I eyed Carlisle in surprise – Reneesme had not mentioned to him that they had caused a scene with their fight.
"We know that." Reneesme responded, with a repentant expression
"So what is our punishment?" Jacob asked me
"A weeks detention each." I replied. I didn't feel it required anything more since the offence was not really that serious and the only reason the school was even involved was because of the crowd the disagreement drew, it hadn't even become physical
They nodded in acquiescence.
Carlisle turned to me then "I'm trusting this Jillian is also going to be dealt with?"
I replied the affirmative and assured them that Jillian had received the same punishment.
"Good. Well Nessie and Jake, if you could go wait with Rose and Emmett, I'll speak with you later." Carlisle instructed
Both rose to leave and I saw Reneesme gently brush her hand over Carlisle's shoulder and his expression softened, as though they had just exchanged something meaningful. Clearly despite not having biological bonds this family was very close and I had to admire Carlisle and Esme for creating that sense of connection.
I must say I was feeling rather worn out at this point. This had to be one of the longest interviews of my career and we still had one more pair to get through, I was sincerely grateful that Bella and Edward had managed to stay out of trouble today.
Carlisle seemed to agree with me for he let out a long sigh and took his wifes hand before saying "One more couple to go."
I smiled slightly "Yes."
"I must say Alice and Jasper really surprise me." he admitted "Of all our children they are usually the best behaved. Perhaps you should tell us what happened with them before calling them in."
I nodded "Well Alice and Jasper were in Spanish and when Mrs Glib turned to face the class after writing on the board. She found Alice and Jasper blatantly making out on top of their desk. Jasper also had his hand under Alices skirt."
Both parents stared at me in a shocked silence. Then Esme stood up and walked to the door, opened it and leant around the corner to the waiting bench where her children were congregated "Alice and Jasper, get in here this instant!" she practically shouted
A second later they trooped through the door both looking more than a little scared of their mothers reaction.
"Sit." Esme ordered while she herself remained standing. Both flinched but did as they were told.
"I would say there had better be a valid explanation," she shouted "but there is NOTHING that would justify this. Why on earth would you behave like that?"
Alice looked close to tears as she responded quietly "Emmett dared us."
"Emmett dared you?" Esme repeated, her voice now deadly quiet and even I felt a twinge of apprehension.
"Mrs Cullen, please calm down." I tried to placate her.
She glanced at me "I'm sorry," she apologised in a slightlt calmer voice "but one thing I will not stand for is my children behaving this…thoughtlessly." the last part appeared to be directed more at lice and Jasper than myself
"They're teenagers." I reminded her
"Teenagers who should know better."
I was a little surprised that she was taking this worse than the others.
"Esme, please…" Alice murmured, almost too low for me to hear
"I really cannot believe this of you two." Esme exclaimed "I know you all get competitive at times but you did not have to go through with the dare. I shudder to think what the others would have had their turn to get a dare"
Alice and Jasper seemed to freeze – apparently something Esme said had hit a nerve
"The others didn't perform dares did they?" she demanded in a controlled voice
They didn't reply but she obtained her answer from their silence "We will discuss this later." she warned before falling silent although occasionally Alice or Jasper would show a slight reaction, a twitch of expression or slight flinch, as though she was still lecturing them. I debated pressing the dare matter but decided not to get involved, clearly Esme and Carlisle were quite capable of dealing with it and I did not need the extra work – I was already praying for this meeting to be over with.
After a few minutes Carlisle sighed "What is their punishment?"
"They need to make an apology to Mrs Glib in front of the class and for the next two weeks they will both have detention with Mrs Glib for two hours every afternoon and she will assign them whatever tasks they see fit. They can make up the missed days afterwards" I added remembering the funeral
Carlisle nodded "I'm truly sorry for the trouble my children have caused you and rest assured it will not happen again." He said, rising to shake my hand and clearly ending the meeting. I couldn't help but be relieved that Esme and Carlisle were taking this seriously and not just defending their children or attempting to lessen their punishment as most parents who came into my office did.
"Do you mind if we take our children home now?" he asked politely "We clearly have a lot to discuss" I agreed immediately
"And Bella and Edward?" he requested "They only have an hour left."
"Of course. Ms Pevensie?" I called on the intercom
"Yes?"
"Could you arrange for all of Mr and Mrs Cullens children to be excused from the rest of their classes and call Bella and Edward to join their siblings?" I asked
"Of course."
"We'll wait outside for them." said Carlisle heading to the door, Alice, Jasper and Esme followed. I noticed that Esme was still glaring at the duo.
As the door closed I leant back in my seat exhausted; that had been one trying morning.
Okay so I willingly admit some of their indiscretions were inspired by things I read in other stories, so anyone who thinks they read that Alice and Jasper made out on a desk at school or that Rose and Emmett had sex in the supply closet then you probably did, but the rest of the story – the interview with the principal and all the rest were my creations and I really would love your opinions on them in the form of a REVIEW.
I had originally intended for this to be a one shot examining how outsiders viewed the Cullens but now I'm debating showing the what happened when they got home so please let me know your thoughts on this – should I continue it? How should Esme punish them? What were the other dares? I want your opinions so please review and let me know.