Author's note: Thank you all very much for reading my little story. Any and all mistakes belong to me. Read and enjoy! :o)

Friday, September 9, 1977
Hudson-Brooklyn High School
Conference room
10:00 a.m.

All of the adults in the room gasped at Derek's revelation. Rosalie cocked her head to the side, blinking a few times as she processed what her son just said. "Bobby has done what?" she asked. "Bobby has messed with CeCe, Mama," he replied. "He's touched her." Bobby jumped up, slamming the table. "That's a lie!" he shouted at Derek. "I haven't done anything to CeCe!" Derek jumped up out of his seat, shaking his finger in Bobby's direction. "That's bullshit, Bean! And you know it!" he shouted back. "No! What you're saying is bullshit, Derek! I haven't touched CeCe! You need to ask her!" "I did ask her, but she's too scared to tell me because of you!"

Bobby and Derek both started to climb the table to get at each other again, but Rosalie grabbed Derek while Bill and Richard grabbed Bobby. "That will be enough out of both of you!" Mr. Clayton said in a loud booming voice. Both boys stopped struggling against their parents. The principal looked back and forth between Bobby and Derek. He was breathing heavy with a look of fire in his brown eyes. "Sit down! Now!" he commanded. Neither Derek nor Bobby made a move to sit down. They just stood there, staring at each other. Rosalie tried to pull Derek into his seat, but he didn't budge. Bill tried to do the same thing with Bobby, but he didn't have any luck either.

Mr. Clayton stood up, placing his palms flat on the table so he could lean his body towards the two defiant teenagers. "Gentlemen, I highly suggest you both sit down NOW. Because by the time I count to 2 and your butts are not in a chair, consider yourselves suspended for the remainder of this school year AND kicked off of the basketball team for the rest of your high school years. One…" By the time Principal Clayton reached two, Bobby and Derek had quickly sat down. "Thank you," Mr. Clayton said with a slight hint of sarcasm. He sat down in his chair, slowly counting to ten in his head as he inhaled and exhaled through his nose.

Mr. Clayton looked at Derek; then he looked at Bobby. "Let me make sure I'm understanding the situation," he said. "Derek, you're saying that Bobby has touched your sister in an inappropriate manner, so you were defending her honor." Derek looked at the principal, nodding his head as he said, "Yes, sir." Mr. Clayton directed his attention towards Bobby. "You're saying that you have NOT touched Cecelia Harper in an inappropriate manner, so you were defending yourself against this allegation." Bobby nodded. "Yes, sir." Mr. Clayton took a deep breath as he sat back in his chair. He stroked his chin as he looked at Bobby and Derek. He could see that each boy felt confident in what they had said.

Principal Clayton let out a deep sigh. He said, "Alright, then. I see there is only one way to settle this dispute." He looked at Mrs. Haynes and said, "Would you please go get Cecelia Harper from class and bring her in here, please? " "Of course, Mr. Clayton," Mrs. Haynes said. "I can look up her class schedule for you," Miss Williams said. Mrs. Haynes stood as she shook her head saying, "You don't have to do that. She's in my homeroom, so I know where she is." She quietly walked out of the conference room.

Richard Goren smacked Bobby hard in the back of his head. "Dammit, boy! Why do you have to cause so much trouble?!" he hissed. Bobby just bit on his bottom lip to keep from crying out in pain. Mr. Clayton narrowed his eyes at Richard. "Mr. Goren, I would appreciate it if you would stop hitting Bobby like that," he said. Richard gave the principal a dirty look. "He's my son and I'm trying to knock some sense into him," he said. "I know he's your son, sir. But you still do not have to hit him in order for him to learn a lesson." "Mind your business, Mr. Clayton. How I discipline this punk is no concern of yours." Mr. Clayton cocked his head to the side as he contemplated what he was about to say. "I will mind my business until this situation has been handled, Mr. Goren," he said. "But afterwards, WE should have a talk, don't you think?"

Richard and Principal Clayton stared at each other in icy silence. Bill leaned over towards Richard behind Bobby's back and said in a low hushed tone, "You just got threatened and called out on your bullshit." Richard looked at him. "Shut up, you damn hippie!" Bill smirked at him, then he pulled Bobby's chair closer to him.

Friday, September 9, 1977

Hudson-Brooklyn High School
Mr. Collins' Biology Class
10:15 a.m.

"Lord, have mercy," Mrs. Haynes thought to herself as she walked down the hallway towards Mr. Collins' classroom. In all of her years of being a teacher, she had never heard of anything like this before. "Bobby assaulting a girl? Why?" She just shook her head. She had known him for almost all of his life. She knew Bobby as being kind, smart, sensitive and way mature beyond his years. "Please let all of this be some big misunderstanding."

Mrs. Haynes paused at the classroom door. She could hear Mr. Collins telling his students to get into 2 separate lines for a quick spelling bee. She inhaled, then exhaled. She knocked on the door before going inside. "Welcome, Mrs. Haynes," Mr. Collins said. He was standing in front of the chalkboard with his teacher's guide book in his hand. All of his students were standing up, facing him. "Are you here to witness the famous Biology spelling bee?" he asked. She smiled as she shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not. I've come to get Cecelia Harper."

The students let out a collective "Oooo," as they turned their attention towards CeCe., who was standing in the middle of one of the lines behind Lewis. She took a small step to get out of line. She looked at Mrs. Haynes with wide eyes, pointing at herself and saying, "Me?" Mrs. Haynes nodded her head as she said, "Please gather your things and come with me to the principal's office." Another collective "Oooo" was emitted by the students. "All of you settle down," Mr. Collins said. CeCe began to nervously wring her hands together. "Yes, ma'am," she said. As she headed towards her desk, Lewis muttered, "Good luck, kid." She gave him a small sad smile. "Thank you," she said quietly.

CeCe could hear the gossipy whispers and the mean things being said about her as she picked up her satchel and placed its strap over her head. She pressed her lips together tightly to fight back the sudden surge of tears she felt as she adjusted the strap across her body. Mrs. Haynes opened the door, allowing CeCe to walk through it first before following after her. They could hear Mr. Collins clap his hands together once to get his students attention as they walked down the hall.

CeCe nervously fussed with the satchel strap, moving it back and forth across her body. She looked at Mrs. Haynes out of the corner of her eye as she walked with her head hung down. "Am I in a lot of trouble?" she asked. Mrs. Haynes stopped in her tracks, turning to face her. She placed her index finger under CeCe's chin, lifting her head so that she could look the young lady in the eye. "No, you are not in trouble," she replied with a soft smile. "So you can walk with your head up." CeCe nodded her head, saying "Yes, ma'am." Mrs. Haynes patted CeCe on the shoulder, then she turned on her heel and continued down the hall towards the conference room. CeCe paused for a few seconds before she fell back in step with her teacher.

Mrs. Haynes walked into to the conference room first. She stepped aside to let CeCe walk inside before closing the door. She walked back to her seat next to Miss Wells while CeCe just stopped and stood frozen in place. All eyes were on her as she nervously fidgeted again with her satchel strap. "Good morning, Cecelia," Mr. Clayton said. "G-g-good morning, Mr. Clayton," she said quietly. "You're probably wondering why you're here." She just nodded her head. He exhaled nosily then said, "It appears that the fight between your brother and Bobby centers around you. We're trying to figure out why."

A puzzled look crossed CeCe's face. She looked at Bobby, then at Derek. "I-I don't understand," she said. Rosalie turned to the principal and said, "Mr. Clayton, let me ask her." "Go right ahead, Mrs. Harper," he responded. She stood up and walked over to her daughter. She took her gently by the elbow and led her towards the chairs that were lined up against the wall. Rosalie pointed and said, "Sit down." CeCe did as she was told. Mrs. Harper stood in front of and over her child, her arms folded across her chest. "Cecelia Rose Harper, look at me." CeCe looked up at her mother. She noticed the vein in the middle of CeCe's forehead was still standing out.

"Derek says that Bobby has touched you," Rosalie said. "Is that true? Has Bobby messed with you?" CeCe's eyes widen and her mouth fell open. She started to shake uncontrollably with fear as she wrung her hands repeatedly together. "No, Mama! That's not true!" she answered. Rosalie lightly tapped the vein on her forehead and asked, "Then what really happened?" CeCe leaned slightly to her right to look passed her mother at Bobby. He looked back at her with a neutral expression on his face. Rosalie blocked CeCe's view. "Look at me, Cecelia Rose, and answer my question."

CeCe looked up at Mrs. Harper. She was still shaking with fear and wringing her hands. Tears started to flow down her cheeks as she replied, "B-B-Bobby kissed me. I-I-I kissed him back. That's all, Mama! I promise!" "Stop lying and tell the truth, CeCe!" Derek exclaimed. Rosalie stepped aside so that CeCe could see Derek. "I am telling the truth, Derek! Bobby has been very nice to me. He hasn't touched me!" She turned her attention to Rosalie, saying, "I-I-I'm not a fast girl like that, Mama! I swear I'm not!" Derek stood up. "I'm not saying you're a fast girl, CeCe. I'm saying you need to stop lying for this fool!" He shook his finger in Bobby's direction to emphasize his point. "Sit down, Derek," Rosalie said. He pouted as he plopped back down in his chair. She then looked at CeCe, studying her face intensely. "Are you telling me the truth?" she asked. "Yes, Mama, I am," she answered between sniffles.

Rosalie ran her fingers over CeCe's forehead. She noticed that the vein wasn't sticking out as much as it had been. "So that's what has been bothering you," she thought to herself. She reached into the pocket of her light leather jacket and pulled out a white handkerchief. She reached over and began to wipe away her daughter's tears with it. Rosalie softly said, "Ssshhh. I believe you, baby. Stop crying." "Th-th-thank you, Mama," CeCe said.

Rosalie placed the handkerchief in CeCe's hand. Then she walked back to the table to take her place next to Derek. "Lord, have mercy," she muttered under her breath as she sat down, shaking her head. "Mama, I'm telling the truth!" Derek exclaimed. She turned to face him. She inhaled and exhaled sharply before saying, " I believe you, sweetie. You believe that Bobby has done something to your sister. The truth is he hasn't done anything wrong." He opened his mouth to protest, but she held up her hand to stop him. "I know both of y'all better than you think I do. I know when either one of you is lying to me." She pointed at CeCe. "That's the reaction of a young teenage girl afraid of the whole world thinking she's some kind of hussy because she kissed a boy for the first time, not of someone protecting somebody who tried to molest them."

Derek looked at CeCe, who looked at him briefly before casting her gaze towards the ground. He looked at Bobby, giving him a mean look. Derek slouched back in his chair. "Whatever, Ma," he said as he shook his head. He still refused to believe that Bobby wasn't like his brother Frank. Rosalie just let out a small sigh and squeezed his arm.

Richard turned in his seat to look at CeCe. She was still looking at the ground all the while wiping the tears from her face. Then he focused his attention on Bobby. He smacked him in the back of his head. "You kissed that?!" he asked angrily. Bobby didn't say anything as he held his head down. He tightly gripped the edge of the table. He was preparing himself for what was about to happen. "You kissed that monkey!?" Richard hissed. He smacked him in the back of his head a little harder this time.

Bobby pressed his lips together to keep from crying out in pain. Richard smacked him again. "Answer me, boy!" he demanded. Bill reached over and grabbed Richard's wrist as he was about to hit his son for the fourth time. "Richard, stop this insanity at once!" Bill said. Richard freed himself from Bill's grasp by jerking his arm away quickly. "Stay out of this, you hippie!" He grabbed Bobby's upper arm, giving him a shake. "Answer me now, boy!" Bobby quietly said, "Yes, I kissed CeCe."

In a fit of anger, Richard backhanded Bobby across the face, knocking him out of his chair and onto the floor. Everyone in the room gasped. Bobby curled up into a ball and covered his head. "Here it comes," he thought to himself as he felt the first kick in his legs, then his arms. He somehow managed to turn away from the blows. He felt the sharp pain in his kidneys and back as Richard continued to repeatedly kick him.

Bill stood up and stepped over Bobby. He grabbed Richard by the lapels of his suit coat and pushed him backwards, pinning against the wall by the door. "Stop it, Richard, before you kill him!" he said. Richard shoved Bill away from him. He said, "You and your hippie wife need to stay out of my business!" "As long as Bobby is under my roof, he IS my business!" Richard stood toe to toe with Bill, their faces a couple of inches apart. He poked him in the chest as he said, "You can go to hell." Mr. Clayton stood up. He said, "Mr. Goren, if you continue on acting in this manner, I have no choice but to call the police and have you arrested."

Richard pointed his finger at Principal Clayton. "You can kiss my ass and go to hell." He pushed Bill aside. He ended up on the ground at Miss Wells' and Mrs. Haynes' feet. He started to get up, but they both grabbed him to hold him down. "Please, Mr. Lewis," Miss Wells said, "don't make this situation worse than it already is." Bill watched Richard walked towards Bobby, who was sitting up on t he floor with Susannah's help. She started to get up to protect Bobby, but he grabbed her arm, shaking his head. "Just move out of the way," he said. She looked at him, her heart breaking as she took in the bruises and cuts on his face. She held his hand as she scooted away to avoid Richard's anger.

Richard smacked Bobby in the back of his head. As he raised his hand to strike him again, CeCe stood up. With tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, "Please stop! Don't-don't hurt him!" He turned away from Bobby to stand over her. "You are the reason I have to beat some sense into him," he said. "This is all your fault!" He raised his hand, balling it up into a fist. She raised her arm up in defense to block the blow, but it didn't come. Mr. Clayton had grabbed him and dragged him towards the wall.

Principal Clayton pinned Richard against the wall. He had his forearm across his chest as he leaned on him with his weight. "Get off of me!" Richard said as he struggled to get away from Mr. Clayton. The principal was breathing hard as he shook his head and flared his nostrils. "You will not abuse anyone else today," he said between breaths. The more Richard struggled to get free, the more pressure Mr. Clayton applied. "Mr. Clayton, do you want me to call the police?" Miss Williams asked. "Yes, please do," he replied. She got up and left the conference room.

Richard and Principal Clayton stared at each other. "Get off of me, you filthy ape!" Richard said. Mr. Clayton lowered his head, his nose almost touching the struggling man's nose. In a low threatening voice he said, "You keep putting your hands on your son, this ape will end you." To prove his point, Mr. Clayton applied more pressure to Richard's chest, which made him gasp for air. Mrs. Haynes came up behind him and placed her hand on his arm. "Patrick, ease up on him. He's not worth losing your career and your freedom for."

Mr. Clayton looked at Mrs. Haynes. She was shaking her head. "Let him go, Patrick. Let the system handle him," she said. Mr. Clayton turned his attention back to Richard, who was still struggling. He applied more pressure to his chest with his forearm. "Patrick, let him go," Mrs. Haynes said in a stern voice. He stepped back and threw up his hands. Richard slid down against the wall, coughing as he tried to catch his breath. He pointed at Bobby. "That's my boy. I'll discipline him as I see fit." Mr. Clayton grunted. "We'll let the law decide that," he said.

Bill and Susannah had helped Bobby off of the floor and back into his chair. "Are you all right, sweetie?" Susie asked him. Bobby didn't say anything. He sat there motionless, staring at the floor with his head hung low. "Bobby, are you okay?" she asked again. He looked up at her. He nodded his head slightly and said, "Yeah," before putting it down.

Rosalie's nursing instincts kicked in. She walked towards Bobby. "Let me have a look at him," she said with a soft smile as she gently but firmly moved Bill and Susie to the side. As she started to examine Bobby, she said, "Derek, go get Nurse Barton for me." "Ok, Mama," he said. He got up and left the conference room to head to the nurse's station.

CeCe sat there wringing her hands and softly crying. She looked fearfully around the room, taking in all of the chaos that had happened. She began to shake nervously as she thought to herself, "Omigod! This…this is all my fault."

Friday, September 9, 1977
Hudson-Brooklyn High School
Cafeteria
Lunch time

"So Bobby's daddy went off because Bobby kissed your sister?!" James Williams, Derek's teammate, asked. "Hell, yeah!" Derek exclaimed. "He almost killed him! But Mr. Clayton put a choke hold on him." The entire school was abuzz with excitement and rumors after a couple of uniformed police officers had arrived there. They marched Richard Goren down the hallway, out of the building and into their squad car. Everyone that was gathered around the table said , "Wow!" at the same time. Derek continued tell his version of what had happened in the conference room. "Mrs. Haynes had to make Mr. Clayton let that fool go."

"Dang! Your sister kissed Bobby!" Tank Holt said. "You gotta set us up this weekend." Derek gave him a puzzled look. "What in the world are you talking about, Tank?" Tank leaned forward. "Man, your sister barely knows Bobby Goren, but she kissed him anyway. I know she'll put out for me!" Anna Wallace folded her arms across her chest and gave Tank a dirty look. He waved his hand dismissively in her direction. "Girl, you know we ain't exclusive. I've got to spread the Tank love around." She said "Hmmph!" while rolling her eyes.

"Shut the hell up, Tank!" Derek said. "I'm not doing that!" Tank said, "Derek, man, you have to do this for me!" Derek waved a dismissive hand at him. "Forget about that," Veronica said. "I wanna know how long are you on punishment?" "I'm suspended from practice for 2 weeks," Derek replied. "Mr. Clayton gave us after school suspension for a week. Mama added 2 more weeks to my punishment from her." Veronica's mouth dropped open. "Derek, that's almost to the end of October! All of the good parties start next month!"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Derek said. Veronica shook her head and let out a groan. "You are ruining my social life," she said. "How do you think I feel?" he countered. She gave him a disgusted look before she stood up. "Ugh! I can't even stand you right now," she said as she walked away in a huff. Derek sighed loudly and heavily; the irritation he was feeling towards his girlfriend was present in his voice. He got up and went chasing after her. "Ronnie, baby, wait," he called out to her.

"Bobby, are you okay?" Mattie asked. They, along with Tricia and Lewis, were sitting in a corner of the cafeteria. He sat with his back to the wall. "Yeah, I'm okay," he said flatly. He looked down at the plate of spaghetti he was picking at with his fork. He glanced up to look out at the crowd. As he looked around, he noticed that some of the students were looking in his direction, pointing and whispering to each other. Bobby put his head back down out of embarrassment. This beating by Richard was the worst he had received in a long time.

"What's going to happen to your dad?" Tricia asked. "I hope they put his ass under the jail," Lewis said. "Lewis, get serious," Mattie said. "They're not going to do that." "I am serious! He needs to be jailed for what he did to Bobby!" Tricia said, "Lewis, chill out for a second and let Bobby speak, will ya?" She turned her attention to Bobby. She repeated her question, "What's going to happen to your dad?"

Bobby shrugged. "I'm not really sure. I think Mr. Clayton is going to have charges pressed against him." "Mr. Clayton can do that?" Mattie asked. He shrugged again. "I guess he can since I'm not 18 yet." "Are you going to be put in a foster home?" Bobby opened his mouth to answer, but Lewis interrupted him by saying, "No! He's staying with us." Bobby sighed heavily, then said, "Lewis, you don't know that. Your parents are gonna have to do a lot of talking to get Mr. Graham to let me stay." "You have way too little faith in what my parents can do."

"Oh boy! Here comes double trouble," Mattie said. Bobby looked to see what she was talking about. "Oh, brother," he muttered softly as he watched Sharon and Shannon Shea coming towards the table. "You want me to handle them?" Tricia asked. Bobby answered, "Nah. That's okay." "Hi, Bobby," the twins said when they arrived. They completely ignored Lewis, Mattie and Tricia. "Hey, Sharon. Hey, Shannon." The Shea sisters were identical twins. They both had dark brown curly hair and brown eyes with physiques built like Billie Jean King. They were dressed alike in red t-shirts with a rainbow on the front and denim bell bottomed jeans. The only way people could tell them apart was that Shannon, the oldest by 4 minutes, had a tiny circular beauty mark underneath her left eye.

"We heard what happened," Sharon said. "Are you okay?" Shannon asked. "Is there anything we can do for you?" they said in unison. "I-I-I'm okay," Bobby replied. "There's nothing you can do for me." "Are you sure? We really don't mind." He was starting to feel a little overwhelmed by the attention and questions coming from the twins. "Yes, I'm really sure. I'll talk to you later." "See ya later, Bobby," the twins said. They turned around and walked off.

"I can't believe you went skinny dipping with them!" Mattie exclaimed once the Shea twins were out of earshot. "Good grief, Matt! Don't start with me," Bobby said. "Is CeCe in trouble?" Lewis asked. "No, she's not." "Well if she's not in trouble, then where is she?" Bobby sat up straight up in his chair. He looked around the cafeteria, moving his eyes back and forth as he scanned the crowd. "Where the hell is she?" he thought to himself.

CeCe Harper was sitting by herself in the far corner of Mrs. Haynes' empty classroom. She wiped her nose with the handkerchief Rosalie had given to her earlier. She sniffled as she drew in her sketchbook. "I shouldn't have come back home. Look at all of the trouble I've caused," she thought. "Lulu was right. I don't belong. I don't fit in. Nobody wants me here."

CeCe was so caught up in her own thoughts and drawing that she didn't hear Mrs. Haynes come into the room. "Cecelia Harper, you need to eat." CeCe nearly jumped out of her seat. She was breathing hard and clutching her heart, trying to keep it from racing so fast. "I didn't mean to scare you," Mrs. Haynes said. CeCe took a deep breath, then said, "That's okay." Mrs. Haynes was holding a small carton of milk in one hand and a small paper plate with a chicken salad sandwich in the other hand. She held them out to CeCe. "Eat."

CeCe sheepishly took the items out of her teacher's hands. "Thank you." Mrs. Haynes smiled. "You're welcome." She pointed at the sketchbook. "May I look?" "Yes, ma'am." She picked up the sketchbook, then walked to her desk. She placed it on the flat surface and began turning its pages. Mrs. Haynes was very impressed with CeCe's drawings. "You are very good, CeCe," she said. CeCe swallowed the food that was in her mouth before saying, "Thank you." She continued looking at the hand drawn pictures. She stopped at a picture of an older couple. "Who is this?" she asked as turned the book around for her to see.

"That's Nana Rose and Daddy Gil," CeCe replied. "Oh. Your dad's parents?" "Yes, ma'am." Mrs. Haynes turned the sketchbook around so that she could keep looking through it. She turned a few more pages before she reached the sketch of Bobby. "So, was this done before or after the big kiss?" she asked, turning the book around again. CeCe blushed slightly. "Before," she answered softly. Mrs. Haynes just smiled. After she finished looking through the sketchbook, she gave it back to CeCe.

Mrs. Haynes went back to sit on the edge of her desk. "Those are some wonderful drawings. You're very talented," she said. CeCe smiled so big that it seemed like her dimples covered her whole face. "Thank you," she said. "Do you do any caricature drawing?" "Yes, ma'am. I have a sketchbook at home full of them." Mrs. Haynes smiled. "Would you mind bringing it to me on Monday? The fall festival committee is looking for an artist or two." "Yes, ma'am. I can do that."

Mrs. Haynes watched CeCe as she finished eating her sandwich and drinking her milk. She got up to throw away the empty items. When she reached the trash can that was next to the teacher's desk, Mrs. Haynes said, "You know that what happened this morning is not your fault." CeCe didn't say anything. She let the milk carton and paper plate fall from her hands into the trash. She remained standing there, wringing her hands with her head hung down. After a few minutes she looked at Mrs. Haynes, tears running down her cheeks. She softly said, "Bobby's daddy was gonna kill him because of me."

Mrs. Haynes reached out and squeezed CeCe's shoulder. "Richard Goren is an idiot to put it in polite terms. He has always thought that being a bully and using violence solves all problems." The beads in CeCe's hair clinked together as she shook her head. "I got Derek in trouble. How is that not my fault?" "Your brother got himself into trouble because he refuses to see that Bobby is nothing like his older brother Frank. He refuses to see that they are like night and day."

CeCe cast her eyes downward. "I really don't belong here, Mrs. Haynes. I don't fit in." Mrs. Haynes grasped both of CeCe's hands, turning her body towards her. "Look at me please," she said. CeCe looked at her. "I know it's tough being the new kid in a strange new place," Mrs. Haynes stated. "But I can tell you that you do belong and fit in just fine here. You've been accepted." A puzzled look crossed CeCe's face. "I don't understand."

Mrs. Haynes took a deep breath then blew it out before she began speaking. "I have known Bobby since he was born. I've known about his life and his…situation for a very long time. He is very selective about the people he chooses to be close to him. Trust me when I say this: Bobby has seen something very special in you to make you a part of his inner circle." CeCe pressed her lips together as tears filled her eyes. "I'm not worth all of that," she said quietly. Mrs. Haynes smiled as she reached up to wipe a tear off CeCe's cheek. "I can practically guarantee you are very worthy of Bobby's trust."

The school bell rang just then, signaling time for classes to begin again. Mrs. Haynes stood up, giving both of CeCe's shoulders a gentle squeeze. She said, "I want you to put this craziness behind you and go forth and conquer the world. Do you understand me, Cecelia Harper?" A small smile crossed CeCe's face. "Yes, ma'am," she replied. She gave her teacher a quick hug before she went back to the desk to gather up her stuff. She placed everything in her satchel, then slung it over her head. She waved at Mrs. Haynes before scurrying out of the door to her next class.

Mrs. Haynes inhaled deeply, holding her breath for five second before exhaling. She looked up towards the ceiling and said, "Help me guide these young people. Thank you."

Friday, September 9, 1977
Hudson-Brooklyn High School
Miss Wells' 5th period English class

CeCe was leaning against the wall next to the door that led to Miss Wells' classroom. When she saw Jessica Newman approaching, she pushed herself away from the wall and walked towards her. Jessica sneered and rolled her eyes as CeCe came up to her. "What do you want?!" she snapped. CeCe hesitated slightly at the tone of her voice. She finally managed to find her voice and asked, "Do you still want to be Bobby's Romeo and Juliet partner?" "Yeah, I do," Jessica said cautiously as she eyed CeCe warily. "Does this have anything to do with the trouble YOU got him into?"

CeCe swallowed before answering, "No." She knew she was telling a lie, but she hoped she was convincing enough to fool Jessica. "I just thought it would be a good idea if we switched partners." Jessica looked her up and down with disgust. "Okay, I'll go along," she said. She poked CeCe in the collarbone with her index finger, then said, "But YOU are going to have make Bobby do it." "I can do that." "Hmmph! We'll see," Jessica said as she walked off, bumping into CeCe to push her aside.

CeCe stood there looking around her. She saw a few students laughing and pointing at her. It was obvious they had seen the exchange between her and Jessica. She moved the strap of her satchel up and down as she held her head down and walked dejectedly into the room.

"Well, I have to say that I am very impressed by the effort everyone put into their homework assignment," Miss Wells said. It was nearing the end of the class period and she was giving the homework back to the students. She walked back to her desk and sat down on the edge of it. "You all came up with some very creative poems and short stories using the word list I gave you from Romeo and Juliet." Everyone murmured with excitement.

Miss Wells clapped, then rubbed her hands together. "I'm so impressed that I think I'll call on one of you to read what you've written." She continued rubbing her hands together as she looked around the room. The students looked anywhere to avoid her gaze. Miss Wells laughed as she noticed what they were doing. "Alright, I'll put you out of your misery," she said with a chuckle. "Bobby Goren, come up and read your piece to the class."

Everyone turned around to look at Bobby, who groaned inwardly. He opened his mouth to protest, but Miss Wells said, "Consider reading your piece as a couple of extra credit points to be used on a future assignment." "Yes, Miss Wells," he said. He walked to the front of the classroom, then turned around to face his peers.

Bobby let out a deep sigh and started to read from the paper he held in his hand. "I once knew a nurse from Verona with the name of Rose. She was sweet and happy. She liked to go around and smell beautiful blue flowers. "Why do you do that?" I asked. She replied, "Because it fills me with peace and creates a song in my heart."" Some of the girls in the class actually sighed aloud dreamily. Miss Wells noticed that Bobby's eyes fell on CeCe when he had finished reading. She stared at him briefly as she started to blushed. She slouched down in her seat just a little to avoid his gaze.

Just as Miss Wells was about to ask Bobby about the inspiration for his piece, the school bell rang signaling the end of the period. All of the students gathered their books and started to leave the room. "Don't forget to get your copies of Romeo and Juliet this weekend. We start reading on Monday," Miss Wells said loudly over the noise the students made as they left. Bobby stayed where he was standing, watching the crowd go by him. "That was very beautiful, Bobby," Jessica said as she walked passed him. "Thanks," he replied. A couple of girls who were behind her repeated what she said. He just smiled and nodded his head at them.

"Looks like you've set the bar pretty high for all of the guys in class," Miss Wells said playfully. "It's-it's nothing. It's just words. That's all," Bobby said. But his blushing told a different story. CeCe stopped in front of him. "That was very nice, Bobby," she said. She gave him a quick shy smile then walked away fast. Miss Wells saw the slightly puzzled frown on Bobby's face as he walked to his desk to collect his books. "Are you okay?" she asked. He paused at the door, not turning around to look at her. "Yeah," he replied. "Robert." He sighed, then turned to look at Miss Wells over his shoulder. "If you want to talk, you know where to find either Mrs. Haynes or me. Okay?" He said, "yeah," and walked out of the door.

Friday, September 9, 1977
Hudson-Brooklyn High School
After school

The end of sixth period classes on a Friday meant that it was the end of the school day and the start of the weekend. Bobby was at his locker putting away his books. He, along with his fellow classmates, was very grateful to not have any real homework to do over the weekend. "Hey, Bobby," CeCe said. "Hey." He didn't stop to look at her. "I'm gonna take the bus to work, so you guys don't have to wait for me." "Okay," he said flatly. There was a few seconds of awkward silence then Bobby asked, "How come you didn't have lunch with us today?"

CeCe held her head down in shame, tugging at her satchel strap in the process. "I didn't want to be a bother to you," she replied. "Especially after what happened this morning." Bobby groaned loudly as he pulled out a text book then slammed it back into the locker. "That didn't matter. You still could've had lunch with us," he said gruffly. She was taken aback, not really sure of how to tell him about switching partners with Jessica. She took a deep breath, then said quietly, "I talked to Jessica before English class to see if she wanted to switch partners with me."

The sound of Bobby slamming the locker door made CeCe jump. His face darken as he took a step towards her. He stood over her menacingly, saying through clenched teeth, "You did what?!" She took a small step back, but he closed the gap between them. She trembled with fear as she answered, "I just thought you'd want a different partner after what happened today." He slammed the lockers before he started flailing his arms wildly. "What are you?! Some kind of idiot or something!?" he boomed. "Why in the hell would you do that?!"

CeCe's self esteem plummeted to the ground as she listened to Bobby's hurtful words. And the fact that some students were still around to witness this scene didn't help matters at all. "I-I'm trying to make things right," she said, wiping a stray tear. Bobby furiously wagged his index finger in her face as he spoke. "You are so STUPID! I don't want a new partner! And I sure as hell don't want her! It's people like you who make decisions FOR me without asking ME! I HATE THAT!"

"I'm very sorry," CeCe said. "Of course you're sorry," Bobby said in a mocking tone. He noticed the vein sticking out in the middle of her forehead. He poked her in the forehead causing her to stumble backwards a little. "Get the hell away from me," he said angrily. CeCe turned around without saying a word. She walked, then ran as fast as she could out of the school building. She arrived at the bus stop just as the bus arrived. She paid her fare, then walked to the back of the bus. She plopped down in a window seat, placing her head against the cool glass.

CeCe looked out of the window. She took out her handkerchief when the tears started rolling down her cheeks. She kept thinking the same thought to herself as the bus rolled along, "Dear Lord, please take me away from here. I don't belong here. I don't belong anywhere."