Caroline & Michael & Scott

Chapter 4

Before class the next day, Sally met Caroline at her locker.

"So Caroline, did you decide what you're gonna do about Michael?"

"Yeah… but I don't know if I can do it, it's pretty mean."

"Excellent!"

Just then Michael arrived.

"Ladies! Good morning." Caroline froze as Michael gave her a "hello" kiss… Michael, unobservant (like most guys) didn't notice. "You wanna skip the cafeteria garbage and go to McDonald's for lunch today?"

Caroline was at a loss for words "I… uh… um…"

Sally stepped in to rescue her "Michael, we'd love to, but what I think Care is trying to say is that we can't. We have a dance coming up and we have a lotta ballet stuff to discuss at lunch today… for the next few days, actually. Of course, you're welcome to join us." Sally issued the invitation knowing Michael would refuse.

"Ballet…? Uh… no thanks… Well, I guess I'll just catch you after class then, hun."

Sally broke in again "We have ballet lessons after class."

"But it's Monday!"

"I know… they're special lessons… because of the upcoming dance. Right, Care?"

Caroline, grateful for not having to confront Michael nodded and agreed "Yeah."

"Okay, well I guess I'll have to catch you before class every day, to see when you're free."

As Michael turned to leave, Caroline called out "Okay. Bye." She then turned to Sally with a sigh. "Sally, thank you, thank you, thank you! I don't know how many times I can stand there as he kisses me before we break up."

"What are friends for if they can't come up with a good lie for you when you need it?" Sally cracked. "Oh look, it's almost time for class. Let's talk during lunch."

******

Caroline met Sally in the school cafeteria for lunch.

While they ate, Sally asked "Okay, what's the plan? Spill."

"It's pretty mean."

"Great! Tell me, Care."

"Let me show you."

Caroline got out a piece of paper to show the puzzled Sally. When she unfolded it, Sally could see "MICHAEL SHEEHAN IS A PIG" in big block letters on top. Below it was a cartoon drawing of Michael's face on a pig body, wallowing in mud and eating slop.

Sally giggled. "This is great! You're best work since your gory drawings of your little brother's dismembered body…! So whatcha gonna do? Make a hundred copies and plaster them all over the school?"

"Uh… no."

"Care, if you just put it on his locker, he might tear it down before everyone gets a chance to see it."

"Uh… I wasn't gonna do that either."

With growing skepticism, Sally asked "So, what are you planning to do?"

"I was planning to fold this up and slip it into his locker… Hopefully he'll get mad and want to break up."

"That's it?! That's it?!" an incredulous Sally exclaimed. Sally then examined the drawing. "Care, Michael doesn't even know you draw cartoons. I notice you didn't sign this one. At this rate, you'll end up marrying Michael!"

Timidly, Caroline asked "So, you don't think that's forceful enough?"

"Caroline!" Sally exclaimed in exasperation. "You're remember Mary Jo, the third grade bully?"

"Yeah."

"Remember when you made a dinosaur diorama for a class project?" Caroline nodded. "Remember how Mary Jo got mad 'cause you won for the best diorama, so after school she drew a circle in the sand, told you to stand inside while she grabbed your diorama and stomped all over it?"

"How could I forget?"

"Remember how I asked you if you were gonna do anything to get even and you replied 'I already did… I stepped outside the circle… twice.'"

Embarrassed, Caroline replied "Uh… yeah."

"Well, this idea is even lamer than that."

Caroline sighed "Oh Sally, you're right. I'm hopeless. I just can't hurt other people's feelings." She wailed "I'll never be able to break up with Michael."

"Oh, don't worry Sweetie, I'll think of a way… But you have to swear that you'll do whatever I come up with."

"Uh…"

"You wanna break up with Michael, don't you?"

"Yeah…"

"Okay then, swear… Swear on our friendship that you'll do whatever I tell you to do."

"Uh… It won't be really mean, will it?"

"Caroline…! Okay, if it makes you feel any better, if anyone asks you, you can tell them it was all my idea."

Caroline gulped "Uh… Okay, I swear."

"Okay then… I know you hate to hurt people's feelings. But if you don't break up with Michael, you'll really, really, really be hurting my feelings. So, when you think about chickening out, and I know you will, you have to decide if you want to hurt the feelings of your best friend in the whole wide world or a boy you want to break up with anyway."

"I – I know."

"Okay… hmm… Your birthday's in a few days, you'll be turning sweet sixteen… I've got an idea..."

She whispered her plan to Caroline, whose eyes widened as she listened.

******

After school, Caroline entered the classroom, carrying an old white t-shirt.

"Hello, Mr. Jabrowski."

"Uh… Duffy isn't it? You were in my class last year. What are you doing here?

Caroline timidly answered "Well, Mr. Jabrowski, I really enjoyed your class, especially the part where we learned how to silkscreen. I was wondering if I could use the equipment and silkscreen a design on this shirt?" holding up the t-shirt. "Of course, I would understand if you wouldn't want me to mess things up" she added, hoping for an excuse to leave.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt anything… as long as you promise to clean up afterwards."

"Thank you, Mr. Jabrowski, I promise. You won't even know I was here."

"Okay then. I'm glad you're putting your lessons to good use. Good luck, Miss Duffy" Mr. Jabrowski said as he left.

"I hope nobody sees me…"