She gets in Franklins Tahoe, he does a double take, seemingly perking up.
"Is that you, Violet?"
"Yeah, this is Violet."
"Ooh-wee, I'm really awake now, damn you look good."
"So I need to go to my bank before my dad gets there."
"What's that about?"
"I think he's going to close my accounts, so I want to pull money out. Frieda's uncle said he would give me an account at his bank, you too if you need one."
"I guess he knows the situation?"
"Yeah, it was apparently on the news. I'm not done with them. I'm not done with you either, I don't want this all in vain."
"It's not, I actually care about you. I didn't give in to Patty and beat up Shermy just for fun, no shady shit here, I dead ass want to be with you. You aren't who I thought you were, I'd have never had this chance if I was that judgemental."
James Gray walked in to the bank to deal with this issue personally.
"Good morning Mr. Gray," the teller greeted.
"Yes, it's going to be, after I leave here."
"What can I help you with this morning?"
"I'm teaching my daughter a lesson and closing her account until she comes to her senses," he hands the teller her information.
"Wow, two Grays in one morning," another said, walking to her window.
"Two Grays?"
"Mm-hmm… your daughter was here earlier."
"Sir, it seems like this account was already emptied this morning, I can still close it, if you want."
"What?! What do you mean empty?!"
"A withdrawal of twenty-five thousand dollars… twenty minutes ago."
"Twenty… thousand…? With how she spends money?"
"Judging by these transactions; she didn't spend much outside of what I suspect is gas money, food, most of these places she buys clothes isn't that expensive… Rue 21, Hollister, she's pretty thrifty. Well I guess considering how rich you are, would be thrifty."
"Yes Mr. Gray, she emptied her account, she asked me if I could, and I helped her take care of it," the manager walked over.
"She's just a child, why would you authorize such a foolish…," he turned to face the bank manager.
"Child or not, Mr. Gray; it was her bank account. As sad as it is to see a loyal customer go, sometimes it's for the best."
He stared speechless at the black woman standing before him.
"Odd we haven't met yet, I'm LaTanya; the bank manager," she introduced.
"Wha-wha happened to… to… umm…"
"He retired some time ago, Mr. Gray. Your assistant didn't tell you?"
"No… no he did not."
"Is there anything else I can help you with, sir," her eyes piercing in to his.
"No! No, no ma'am… I'll be taking my leave now," he headed to the door.
"You have a good morning, Mr. Gray."
"Yes, you too, Miss ummm… LaTanya," he waved out the door.
"Sorry I'm late, I had to stop at the bank to keep my dad from freezing my account," Violet rushed in to class.
"I'll let it pass, given the situation."
"I'm going to do my best to not let it disrupt school. Luckily Franklin is bringing me."
"I'm glad you're trying to keep your head up, I can see it's affecting your mental health."
"Franklin is my anchor. He's supporting me, and encouraging, as you can see, for me to be myself."
"Glad to hear it."
Violet catches everybody by surprise walking to the lunch table, wearing mid-calf Doc Martin's, knee length pixie skirt, and a cut and tied ICP Joker shirt, various bracelets, and her hair down.
"Whoa, you really clean up… girl you are fine," Peppermint Patty hollered.
Marcy smacked her on the arm, "I'm right here."
"Sorry, Babygirl."
"You finally wore some of that, huh," Patty asked.
"So that's why Frank was so chipper this morning," Charlie mentioned.
"I so needed this, I feel so much more myself, than wearing that snobby crap all the time."
"Okay… I do want those boots," Marcy admitted.
"Girl literally let her hair down," Linus joked.
"Frank wants me happy, wants me to be myself, wants to support me… I think he's the real deal."
"Franklin's always been a good guy, a straight man, nothing shady about him," Peppermint Patty explained.
"You know we're blessed, right? Maybe for different reasons, but me and you, Violet are blessed that two guys thought we were worth their time," Lucy kissed Charlie on the cheek.
"I think you're right. We both have guys, that despite everything fought to win our hearts. I still can't imagine somebody wanting me for me."
"Neither can I."
"Something told me you were the girl for me, Lu-lu, it just wasn't going to be easy and you weren't going to settle for some loser. It just struck me one day and I didn't question it. All these other girls weren't going to last. I didn't give it a second thought; she's been here the longest, it made sense. You're more than I ever imagined. Both of you are more than we imagined."
"You are crazy, Charlie," Linus kaughed.
"Crazy about Lucy."
"Thank you, Charlie, and again; I'm sorry I was so mean to you. You're not a bad guy, or a loser. Patty… thanks for setting me up with Franklin."
"I just knew he was the guy for you to pull you out of your shell."
"It just sucks how everything ended up. I saw your post last night, the horrible things your mother said about him, and threatening you. It really pisses me off," Frieda said.
"And you're going to be going home every night to it," Linus added.
"Yeah, it sucks. They're going to flip when they see me like this, too."
"Would Violet Gray and Franklin Johnson please report to the office, Violet Gray, and Franklin Johnson," boomed over the P.A.
"Ummm," Frieda said.
"Perhaps it has something to do with your parents," Linus thought.
"I guess I'd better go see what the deal is."
"It could be something good, don't get upset too early," Charlie added.
Violet ran in to Franklin in the hallway, happy to see him.
"There's my lil Juggalette," he greeted.
He pulled her in to a kiss, stealing a squeeze of her butt.
"Franklin," she giggled. Thank you for giving me a chance, you make me happy."
"No, just be you, and don't break my heart, okay?"
"I won't break your heart, I promise, I want to see how far we go. Past the drama, past my parents, you're the best thing in my life, I could lose it all, and be okay if I can fall in your arms."
"Damn Violet, I really mean that much to you?"
"You're the realest guy I ever dated. You care about me, just me."
They make out against the bulletin board for what felt like minutes before holding hands the rest of the way to the office. They walk in the door to the Principal greeting them.
"It's nothing bad, you're not in trouble, I'm sure you knew this was going to be a scandal, as prestigious as your family is in the midwest."
"I… yeah… I did, I wanted to teach them that they're wrong."
"Follow me to the conference room, the local news wants to get more of your story. And I think I speak for the staff… hopefully all of the staff, when I say that I am sorry the both of you had to endure your parents personal fault. It's such a Shame."
"Thank you, Mr. Wilkinson," Violet said.
"Yeah, thanks, sir. After you, baby."
They walk in the conference room greeted with Channel Seven News reporter and camera man.
"You must be Violet and Franklin, so glad you could meet with us, I'm Susan Flowers with Channel Seven."
"Yes… typically we wouldn't let something like this happen, especially with minors, but unofficially we feel for them, and it's a safe space," Wilkinson explained.
"And I thank you for the consideration."
"My parents watch your news," Franklin said.
"Yeah… mine too."
"That's good. I really am sorry you two are dealing with this. I know the media comes off as hungry dogs, but I really do care. Mr. Wilkinson told us both of you are great students and don't cause problems, I hope this blows over and your lives can go back to normal."
"I feel the same way," Ms. Flowers," Violet agreed.
"So Dan here, is going to mic yall up, we're going to have a seat and chat, no need to ham it up, just be yourselves."
"That's what Franklin is giving me the strength to do."
Dan mics them both up, they take their seats, while he set up the shot.
