Chapter 38 Two weeks until Christmas Vacation

Administration Building

Peter and Sophie are in their offices when there's a knock on their door.

"Come in." Peter says putting the folder he was working on down.

Shelby and Scott open the door and enter.

"Ah, just the two we want to see." Peter stops and looks at his wife. "Shall we tell them our answers?" Peter says with no emotion on his face.

"Yes." Sophie replies in a solemn tone.

Scott and Shelby look at each other preparing for the worst.

"Scott." Peter pauses. "Shelby." Peter pauses again. "Mr. Barringer, Sophie and I have decided to allow you two to spend Christmas vacation together." Scott and Shelby get all excited. "Ah, before you leave there are a few extra rules that will apply. You two are to sleep in separate rooms and be chaperoned on all trips. Do you agree?"

"Yes!" Shelby replies with happiness.

"Yes sir!" Scott replies with the same excitement as Shelby.

"I also understand that Daisy and Ezra are wanting to go as well."

"Yes?" Shelby replies.

"Very well then." Peter puts his hands together and looks at the two. "I feel all of you deserve a break away from here. All four of you are permitted to go to Scott's house."

Scott and Shelby leave the office.

"I've never seen those two so happy."

"All of them have really improved and deserve our trust in them."

There's another knock on the door.

"Come in." Sophie says.

This time it's Taylor who enters. She stands by the door instead of sitting down.

"Have you got an answer for us?"

"I don't agree to everything." Taylor replies.

"What is the part you don't agree to?" Sophie asks.

"I don't want to go to another school."

"Honey, it'll just be for your education. You'll still come here for groups."

"Do I have to live with you?" Taylor asks again.

"Until we can trust you, yes." Peter says firmly.

They sit in silence for a few minutes.

"I agree to all but going to that school." Taylor still remains standing and her tone is demanding. "I want to stay here."

"Bob has agreed to help in your education. We can't give you want you need here." Sophie takes over and tries to explain everything to Taylor.

"As long as you do your school work and stay out of trouble."

"Agreed." Taylor's smile is relief.

"Agreed." Peter and Sophie both say.

Taylor leaves and Rodger knocks and enters.

"So where are you two going?"

"Don't know yet, but it'll be fun." Peter looks out his window and sees Andrew and Taylor together talking. "Keep a close eye on those two. They've gotten together fast."

"Everything will be under control. You need not worry." Rodger leaves the room.

Sophie and Peter sit back down to get their paper work done before they leave.

An Hour Later

Peter and Sophie emerge from the office. They are holding hands and laughing. Outside Taylor and Andrew are sitting on a rock having a conversation.

"I don't know what I am going to do." Taylor says to Andrew angrily.

"But doesn't missing a period usually mean you're pregnant?" Andrew asks getting just as angry as Taylor.

"My periods aren't normal to begin with." Taylor fires back.

"Well shouldn't you find out soon?" Andrew stands up. "Is it even mine?"

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Taylor stands up to face him.

"I hear a lot of things." Andrew replies.

"Like what?" Taylor gets closer to challenge Andrew.

"Haven't you pretty much slept with every student and a councelor at this school? Aren't you the new slut of the school?"

Taylor reaches out and slaps Andrew. Andrew has no time to react as Peter and Sophie approach them.

"What is going on here?" Peter asks looking at Andrew and Sophie.

"Great. Our rock has arrived." Taylor replies sarcastically.

"Nothing." Andrew puts his hands in his pockets and looks down at the dirt.

"Aren't you two supposed to be in school?" Peter asks looking disappointed at the two.

"I don't feel well." Taylor lies.

"The infirmary is over there." Peter points to the building with the infirmary sign. "Not out here." Peter points to the rocks they were sitting on.

"Give it a break." Taylor fires back.

"Andrew get to class." Sophie advises the seventeen-year-old boy. Andrew takes off and heads to class.

"Don't you pull that tone with me Taylor." Peter's tone is full of anger.

"What are you going to do? Hit me!" Taylor stands in front of Peter. "There isn't anything you can do to me that hasn't already been done. Don't you get that? You all stand here and act as if you know what is going on, when really you don't got a clue. You make choices for my life. This is my life and these are my choices." Taylor looks at Peter and Sophie with darts in her eyes. Peter and Sophie say nothing. Taylor steps back and begins to pace. She puts her hands up to her head and then falls on her knees.

Peter and Sophie look at each other like what the hell just happened. Sophie reacts by going over to Taylor and embracing her. Peter soon follows. Taylor does not resist but allows for them to hold onto her.

"What is going on inside that head of yours?" Sophie whispers into Taylor ear.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Taylor sits up and acts as if going to faint.

"Let's get her to the infirmary."

Peter and Sophie help Taylor up and escort her to the infirmary. They get Taylor settled in and give the nurse specific instructions to keep her there for the day. Peter and Sophie leave and run into Rodger before they take off to go home and pack.

"Taylor is in the infirmary, she's to stay there all day."

"I'll make sure of it." Rodger reassures his friends. "Go, get some much needed vacation."

"Will do."

Peter and Sophie take off in their car. Rodger heads to the infirmary to check on Taylor.

4