Ahowell1993 came up with the correct answer. Maeve's favorite poet is E. E. Cummings. The second E stands for Estlin.

This may sound like a tangent, but it's not: Who's familiar with the books/movie/Netflix Show, A Series of Unfortunate Events? It's my second favorite book series just below Harry Potter. Like the author of the books did in both the books, and the superb Netflix show: I urge you to look away as there in nothing but misery and horror coming for Reid. This is not a happy story for the most part. But like the excellent Netflix ending, I promise satisfaction.

Double post today!

Chapter Four:

Gracelyn:

For a pajama day, I wore a pink and black polka dots flannel set that my dad thought I wore regularly.

I made a face when I saw he was wearing his usual outfit.

"Can't you play along?" I said.

"Kids think I dress like this to bed to begin with," he said with a shrug. "Let them assume that I do."

"You are so lame," I said.

He made a face.

"Why do you think you can get away with talking to me like that?"

"Because it's the truth," I said a with roll of the eyes.

"Say one more smart-mouthed thing, and I'll ground you from homecoming," he said.

I knew I was tempting fate, but I didn't care. I didn't like the tone he was using with me.

"Loser," I said.

"You're grounded!" he said.

"You can't do that to me!" I shouted. "I'm nominated for homecoming queen. That's my crown!"

"You need to learn who's charge here!" he yelled. "I will not tolerate being bullied by my own daughter."

"You deserve it!" I yelled. "You deserve everything that comes to you after what you did to Lionel. You're a terrible a father and an all-around LOSER!"

I stormed out.

"What's wrong?" Annie asked as she pulled up.

"He grounded me from homecoming," I said.

"He can't do that!" she said. "We'll sneak you out."

"Oh, I plan on going through the front door," I said fiercely.

Once we got to school, I hunted down Teddy.

"I was thinking about drenching your dad in paint and glitter," he said.

"Good," I said.

I then tracked down the janitor.

"Open my dad's door," I said.

Chris was older than my dad, and knew to stay above the fray. He unlocked the door for me.

I emptied his water jug and threw the soap out the window. Then I proceeded to cut and shred both spares changes of clothes he had. My dad was going to pay.

Then I met with my girls to change into a sexy black nightgown Beverly kept for me. It had just enough coverage, I wouldn't get in trouble.

Listening for the laughter, I was not disappointed. It grew louder. I turned around and watched as my dad stormed out of the school covered in glitter and blue paint.

"Payback is a b***h," I said and strutted off.

…

When I came home, there was a note that there was frozen vegan pizza for me. I went in the freezer and looked for some ice cream, and couldn't find any. In the pantry I couldn't find any non-vegan snacks.

I used my phone to order a sub sandwich, but my card was declined. I tried using dad's, which I had memorized, but it was declined too.

Oh, it was on.

I went into my room. I texted Teddy:

"Teddy, pull out all the stops. And tell your friends at Felton I want my dad used in their prank."

…

My dad rarely left his classroom. He taped a tarp to the door to avoid buckets. But Teddy was cleverer. Using the biology classroom upstairs, he managed to fling slime through the window in his room they had been glued open earlier. Recruiting some nerds, he also rigged a webcam in the room so everyone could see him changing. My dad was a viral hit all week. The footage was called: "Glen High Homecoming Week: Revenge on the Mean Math Teacher."

We finished our final cheer practice before the rally on Thursday.

"Hang back, Gracelyn," Coach Kim called out.

"Yes, coach?" I said

"I hear you got grounded from homecoming," she said.

"That's just temporary," I said. "My dad is trying to teach me a lesson."

"You can tell a lot about a girl from the way she runs her squad," Coach Kim said. "You motivate your teammates to do better, never lose your cool when someone screws up, and show respect for every person from the towel girl to the flyers."

"With all due respect Coach," I said. "Where is this going?"

"I can tell you are being raised right. By someone who wants you to do well, has never laid a hand on you, and respects you, even when you don't deserve it."

I just stared at her.

"I'm fully aware of what is going on at school," Coach Kim said. "You're going scorched-earth on a man who had the nerve to try to put you in your place."

"I don't know what to say."

"I have no provable grounds for kicking you off this squad. But if I find any, you better believe I won't hesitate to remove you."

I was devastated. The one woman I thought was on my side. Who had my full respect, was turning against me.

"I understand," I said.

"I don't think you do," she said. "Consider this a warning."

I walked away. I'm not racist, but Coach Kim's skin color also made her something of an outsider in this town. Same with Tina's parents. The outsiders stuck together. I needed a new strategy.

But first: The pep rally.

…

I was completely in my element at the pep rally. We pulled out batons, and threw them high in the air, and caught them as we twirled. Swaying our hips seductively, we showed off our curves, and our moves. They threw me the air the highest, and I shouted at the top of my lungs. This was my show, no one would take it away from me.

For a moment, I saw my dad watching from the side. There was a look of pride on his face. I knew he hated my guts, but in spite of everything he still showed that he cared. It genuinely touched me.

Then the senior football players came out. Liam showed off his skateboard moves and I blew him a kiss. Some danced. Sam came in, wearing a gray wig, plaid shirt and gray paints while covered in paint. This got huge hoots of laughter. I saw even the principal was laughing. Mr. Evans pretended to chase a Senior over late homework. It was all good fun.

Everyone took a bow. It had been a fantastic rally.

…

Not caring if my dad said no, I texted him that I was spending the next two nights at Beverly's. I was surprised when he texted back: "Fine."

He wasn't home when I arrived to pick up my dress and other stuff I'd need for homecoming. Something felt off, but I wasn't sure what. I ignored the feeling and left for Beverly's.

I refused to let my father ruin the best moments of my junior year.