Here's the 4th chapter. Ive noticed the amount of stories with Johnny and Alli..i'll tell you right now that Alli will not be in this story. Even though i've said it before, I don't watch the show currently, so I'm not familiar with any of the new wave characters. The new characters won't be included since most of the story was already written. Anyway, this chapter sets the tone for the rest of them, and the next chapter is really, really deep. I wrote this sometime during the summer and there's a little reference to football player Michael Vick in there for you sports fans. Anyway here it is. Please review, and I hope you enjoy!
Who You Are - A Degrassi Fan Fiction
Chapter Four: Turning Point
"Johnny DiMarco is that really you? Wow, I guess Darcy was right about you, but we'll see about that. Take a seat. " Ms. Hatzilakos said.
I guess what mom said about dressing to impress really does work. I closed the door and made my way over to the chair and sat down. I fixed my jacket and popped my collar. Yeah, you could say I was a little confident. She pulled out some papers and put her reading glasses on.
"So, you've had quite an extensive record and it hasn't been for the better, and the recent events haven't helped you either. So, why should I allow you back into my school?"
Alright, here goes. Johnny, don't screw this up..
"Well ma'am, I think I changed. If you don't believe that then just look at this silly suit."
"Why do you wanna come back?"
That was a good question but I couldn't think of a lot of reasons. The only reason that came to mind was my mother, and how I didn't wanna let her down. What are some other reasons though? Let me think...
There's Darcy. If she let me back in I could spend a lot more time with her. As of now I only get to see her after school and on the weekends, but if I got let back I could have her for pretty much the whole day. There's one!
There's also the education, but she could say I could go somewhere else. Maybe I'll say the teachers here are different and stuff. Nevermind, that won't work. Besides, we both know I never listen to the teachers anyway. Then again it's not like I chose to come here, I'd still be at Lakehurst if it didn't catch on fire.
"Well the main reason is because of my mother."
"Your mother is making you do this?"
"No, I'm doing it on my own. Look, my mom didn't graduate from high school and she's made it a goal to make sure one of her kids does. I admit I nearly pissed that awa--sorry, messed that up, but I have changed and that's what I wanna do I guess. I think I've let her down enough and I really can't afford to do it again. I guess what I'm saying is I want her to be proud of me."
She smiled and nodded. Freakin' sweet! I might be able to pull this off!
"Well Johnny, that was very sweet. And--"
"I'm sorry to interrupt you but I just want to say that...I'm sorry." I hate those two words so much that my mouth felt like crap after I said it. But I did, and since I'm trying to start new here, I know I'll have to say those two words a lot.
I was saying I was sorry because of everything yeah, but I really meant because of Peter. That was the moment that I realized that she was his mother and that she'll probably be tougher on me because of it.
"I'm sorry about Peter." She kind of frowned and looked down.
"Yeah, we'll have to talk about that. Why did you have to pull a knife on him? Were you really going to stab him?"
"No, not really." I wasn't really. To be honest I don't even know what I was thinking. "I was trying to scare him I guess. He was messing my life up and I just couldn't take it anymore. I wouldn't stab him or anyone. I've seen it happen before...and I haven't forgotten."
"What's the problem with you two?" She asked. I don't think she knew I was taking about me seeing JT die, but that was alright because I didn't want to talk about that.
"We don't get along." Those were the nicest words I could ever say about Peter. To be honest I hate his guts, but I didn't wanna say that to his mother who happens to be the principal. The fact that Darcy's my girl and Peter's the one who really wanted her back is icing on the cake.
"I see." Crap. Her tone had changed, and it wasn't looking good for me all of a sudden. I have to make it better somehow. Desperate times, desperate measures, right?
"It would mean a lot to me if you..." I started rolling my sleeve up but did so that she couldn't see it. "..If you cogitate accrediting me back into your facility." I sounded so stupid saying that, but I got some satisfaction out of it because she looked like she didn't even know what the hell I was saying.
I swear, it's one in a lifetime that the dictionary beats the teacher.
"Darcy told me that you changed, and you're telling me the same. The main thing that needs to be shown before I can consider letting you back is that you have in fact changed."
"I don't want to be a wise guy or anything, but don't you think it must be true if someone like Darcy told you?"
There was a pause. I think that means I made a point. "That's exactly what I was thinking, but I guess I need a little more. What exactly about you, apart from the suit, has changed?"
"Well, the fact that I'm even here is a sign, but there is more. When I got arrested again I started to feel this weird feeling. It was kinda like I was missing something or someone, but it was weird and I had never felt that way."
"And that 'something' was Degrassi?"
"No." I said. This probably would have screwed me up, but I figure if I told the truth it would help. "It was actually Darcy. She made me realize that this feeling was love. That's what I told the judge and he let me off the hook to give me another chance because I guess he saw poiencial in me."
"Potential, you mean?"
"Yeah, that." So much for those dignified dictionary words. Hold on, if the judge wanted to give me a chance...wait a minute! "It makes sense now!"
"What does?"
"I think deep down you think the same about me. I think you want to give me another chance!"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you dropped the charges!" That's when she broke a smile. I didn't find out she dropped the charges against me for pulling the knife until after the judge. Well, I didn't find it out per say, I realized it. If she didn't I'd be sitting in a jail cell possibly.
"Well, I do think you have potential, and you just proved that to me by figuring that out. However you must remember, my first priority here is the safety of the kids at Degrassi, and I can't even consider letting you back in if anyone would be in danger. Especially my son Peter."
"I promise you I really changed. It will take time for sure, but I'm not gonna walk around starting fights or pulling weapons again. I just..I can't let my mom down, ya know?" I said. She smiled again and started writing something down on her paper.
"Alright Johnny, I'll tell you what. I'll let you back in on a conditional basis."
I was kinda confused by that term, and she saw it by my puzzled face. Looks like I'll really need the education.
"That means there's a catch. There are several catches, really. One being if you get into another fight or continue to carry weapons with you, you'll be expelled again and won't be reconsidered. Two, you have to serve the detention punishment with your buddies Lucas and all of them. Three, I also want you to see Ms Sauvé once a week to manage your anger. And four, you'll have to apologize to Peter, Mr. Simpson, and any one of your peers involved in all of this."
The worst part was the last part. Not only do I hate apologizing, I sure as hell didn't want to do it to Peter. I'll say it to Simpson for having to break up the fight, no problem, but Peter? C'mon, show some mercy.
"Johnny, I believe in you and I do want you to be successful and graduate. I wouldn't be giving you a chance if I didn't believe in you, so if you promise me you'll abide by the conditions, then it'll be my pleasure to welcome you back into Degrassi."
Holy crap! I did it! I actually did it! Words can't express how happy I am, but then again...its school. It's waking up early and doing homework and reports...ugh, my mom's lucky I love her. At least I get to see my friends and Darcy more.
"Thank you, Ms Hatzilakos. It means a lot to me."
"You're welcome. You can come back tomorrow. Don't let me down, Johnny."
"I promise I won't." That whole thing seemed like a scene from some corny movie, but I did mean those words. I was in detention all the time so no problem, and I just have to show up at Sauvé's, right? Hopefully she'll help me not get the urge to beat people up. The hardest will be the apologies, but I'll get over it.
I left her office with pride. I wasn't smiling and skipping out like some fairy though. The first thing I did when I was out of her office was take off that stupid jacket. I un-tucked my shirt too. I turned my head and saw Ms. Hatzo looking at me and smiling which was weird but whatever. I feel proud of myself for once, and I'm glad I convinced her!
When I got home I saw my mom on the couch watching some show on TV. I wanted to tell her about it, but then I smelled smoke coming from the bathroom. That means that dad's home.