Sorry about the prolonged wait for this chapter. Here it is now. I hope you enjoy it and the outcome. Originally she was supposed to spend two days in Tennessee but I figure the dean would have called her father about the suspension and he'd be expecting her.
The next morning I woke up in Dean's arms and saw he was smiling. I turned over and watched him sleep hoping the soft motion wouldn't wake him. Then his smile turned to a frown. "Dean, sweetie, wake up." I said running a hand through his hair. His grip on me tightened before his eyes opened.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning, you ok?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"You do realize I'm only going for like a week right?"
"I know. And I know you have to go. Are you sure you can't stay with your aunt?"
"We talked about this last night. I may actually have to see my doctor. I can't do that in Minnesota."
"I just don't want you to go."
"I know."
As I kissed and cuddled with Dean, Goldberg knocked on my door. "Hey Lizzy," he called.
"Hang on." I answered. Then I turned back to Dean. "I have to go; I'll see you at breakfast ok?"
"Where are you going?" Dan asked as I climbed out of bed and began to change.
"To hang out with Goldberg for a bit," I said pulling on his jacket. "Don't you trust me?"
"I do trust you. I just don't trust everyone else." Dean said. "Wouldn't be the first time I've had another guy steal my girl."
"Dean for that to happen, the girl has to be willing. I'm not." I said. "Besides it's Goldberg. Don't you trust the Ducks?" Though I had promised I wouldn't tell anyone, I knew Dean had recognized the voice and would know I was spending time with him. "Look, I promised I'd help him with something and I don't like breaking promises. He's a Duck and if you can't trust your own teammates then we don't need to be dating."
"Fine, because it's a Duck." Dean pouted. I rolled my eyes but leaned down and kissed him anyway.
As we worked out I told Goldberg about the suspension and the fight I knew was coming and he told me to remind my dad that the suspension was over a misunderstanding and it would be cleared up and removed from my file. Goldberg also warned me to tell Charlie and Fulton the whole story before the rumor mill made them believe something horrible.
"I guess I could tell them at breakfast. After all I'm not allowed in classes."
"The dean tell you that?" Goldberg asked.
"Yeah."
"Guess you have to do what he tells you." As Goldberg continued to work out I wrote out what I thought Luis would need for at least two weeks. When Goldberg went to shower, I went to talk to my psychology teacher. I told him about the suspension, which he had already heard about and then explained that in our project it would appear as if I was taking a break and Luis would keep the kid so he wouldn't lose points.
"You're really good at coming up with ideas." Mr. Stewart said.
"I have a 113 IQ. That's three points above normal. It helps when it comes to things like this."
"Good, you'll let him know your plan and I'd hate to see you fail my class if it is some mix up so when you return I'll offer some extra credit. You'd be wise to accept."
"Thank you." I nodded and left for breakfast. "Hey guys." I called as I sat down. They said their various hellos and then went back to their discussions. "Luis." I bit my lip looking at him. "You're going to have to take care of him for a week or two on your own."
"Because of your mix up?" Luis said.
"It led to a suspension. I'm not supposed to be on campus until they figure it out." I said.
"So you're leaving?" Adam asked looking away from his conversation with Charlie and effectively stopping conversation at the table.
"For two weeks at the most. My doctor has to convince the dean and the school board that I'm not taking drugs and my drug test was clear. Luis this is everything you'll need for two weeks while I'm gone. Mr. Stewart understands and said he'd offer some extra credit when I get back so I can make up my grade." I said.
"What kind of mix up?" Fulton asked.
"I—" I started but was cut off by the P.A. system.
"All students to the auditorium. All students to the auditorium." The speaker roared.
As we walked toward the auditorium Charlie smirked.
"What did you do?" I asked.
"We may have gotten Varsity back good." Charlie said.
"Did Dean Buckley catch you?"
"No, no one saw us."
We entered the auditorium and headed for seats. That's when I saw Varsity perched on the edge of the stage. Scooter leaned forward and ruffled his hair causing white stuff to fall from it and onto the floor. "What did you do?" I asked leaning towards Fulton who was sitting between me and Charlie.
"We may have taken a couple shop-vacs and used them to blow flour and confetti into the Varsity dorm rooms." Fulton admitted softly.
"You did what?" I asked loudly then clapped my hands over my mouth. Then I lowered my voice. "Who do you mean by we?" I asked.
"Me, Charlie, Averman, Goldie, Russ, Kenny, and Connie." Fulton said softly.
"Jesus Fulton." I muttered.
"Good afternoon. I am 100 percent sure that last year I made it perfectly clear that prank war or pranks alone were a suspendable offense. Evidently someone did not get that through their heads because as you can see someone has pranked our entire State Champion Varsity Hockey team. If you confess in the next five minutes I will drop the punishment to one week suspension and 2 weeks of detention." Dean Buckley said. "Mr. Stewart and Ms. Jones are standing at the two exits so if you want to leave, you'll confess to them."
Five minutes later no one had confessed.
"I see. That's the way it's going to be?" Dean Buckley said stepping up to the mic. The auditorium went quiet again. "I see no one has confessed so I have no choice. I am here by cancelling all class trips: the senior trip to the Bahamas, the junior trip to Palm Beach, the sophomore trip to Gatlinburg, and the freshman trip to Chicago."
"When are the class trips?" I asked Fulton.
"During spring break. Last year we went to Green Bay." Fulton answered.
There were a lot of groans and moans but still no one stood. "Keep Charlie from doing something stupid." I said. Fulton looked at me but nodded.
"Ms. Jacobs, why did I figure you'd want to say something?" Dean Buckley asked as I stood.
"Cause I can never keep my trap shut." I said. "Look, Dean you can't blame the entire school. All that's going to get you is a bunch of angry parents."
"Who do you suggest I blame? The JV team?" Dean Buckley asked.
"It's my fault. I did it. I was bored and I love watching preps getting what they deserve."
"I see. Two more weeks to what I told you yesterday, you are banned from the sophomore trip to Gatlinburg, and—"
"Dean, she didn't do it alone." Bash said standing with the rest of the baseball team. "We were tired of seeing the hockey team get all the attention so we helped her mastermind the entire operation."
"Boys," Dean Buckley said.
"We did. How do you think she could have done the entire dorm without waking anyone?"
"Interesting point. Ms. Jacobs, the punishment stands, as for you boys, I am severely disappointed in you. Two weeks detention ought to straighten you out."
"Yes sir." Bash said.
"Speak with Mr. Stewart about your detentions. Now the rest of you get to class."
As I walked with Charlie towards his first class he stared at me. "Why?"
"Because I had to. Either that or he would have cancelled the trips and like I said I wasn't going to let anyone else get into trouble for this. I'll be back in two weeks." I spotted Linda standing outside Charlie's classroom and saw she was flirting with Tony.
"What's your dad going to say?" Charlie asked.
"Oh the usual stuff. Why do I have to be like Chris? Why can't I be more like Ben?"
"I guess I'll see you later." Charlie hugged me then turned to see Linda. I turned on my heel and left. When I finished packing I went to lunch where right before I reached the cafeteria, Bash grabbed my arm.
"Don't worry it's only two weeks once they clear up the drug test." I said. "Thanks for sticking up for me."
"Anything for you," Bash said. He hugged me and I went inside.
After spending lunch with the Bash Brothers, I went back to my room and waited for the day to end so Dean could take me to the airport. Ben wasn't happy about putting my ticket on his credit card but I knew there was no one else I could ask. After classes Dean and headed down the hall and he waited outside as I went inside.
"Hey cousin," I said.
"Hey. I'd love to go to the airport with you but I have to go meet Linda." Charlie said. I rolled my eyes trying not to say anything. "Don't look at me like that."
"I can't help what I think Charlie."
"Lizzy—"
"These are the photos that Fulton and Russ and Dean took." I dropped the ones of her flirting with Tony on Charlie's desk in front of him.
"All this proves is that they're talking." Charlie shrugged.
"Charlie, she's flirting. Don't believe me? Then how about this one? Or this one? Or this one?" I asked dropping the pictures on his desk one at a time. "If that doesn't prove she's doing something behind your back then I really shouldn't be talking to you."
"Maybe she's—"
"She's making out with him, Charlie." I said. Each of the pictures showed Linda and Tony making out. "He's even admitted it to Brick and Alex. I can't believe you're still trying to protect her." I shook my head, sat the rest of the photos on his desk, and turned to storm from the room. When I reached the doorway Adam walked in.
"Lizzy ..." He started.
"What?" I asked.
"You should apologize." Adam said softly.
"I was—"
"No Liz, look." Adam turned me around and I saw Charlie with his head in his hands staring at the photos.
"Char, I ..." I trailed off as I walked over to him. I put a hand on his shoulder and he looked up.
"How could I have not seen that?"
"I shouldn't have pointed it out like that."
"I wouldn't have seen it any other way. And your anger at the school board and Dean Buckley and technically me just bubbled over. I get it Liz and maybe I will talk to her. You have to get going. It's nearly four o'clock and I don't want you to miss your plane. Take care of yourself."
"You too cuz. I'm only a phone call away." I said. Charlie hugged me tight then I went to the airport. Once I got my ticket and checked in, Dean pulled me into his arms at the gate.
"I love you." Dean said.
"I love you too. I'll call every day I promise. Two weeks is a really long time but I'll be back before you know it."
"I know and I know Fulton will keep me in line because after all he was your best friend first."
"Just concentrate on your classes and two weeks will be up before you know it."
"I know. And don't you go finding a new guy in Ohio either."
"They'll all be in school and I'm going to be grounded." I said. Then my flight was called. "I have to go. Bye." I said.
"Yeah, bye." With that I got in line and boarded the plane. The last I saw over my shoulder was Dean waving good bye.
"Miss, we're landing. You need to put your seat up." The flight attendant said. I nodded and met Seth in the guest area.
"Ready?" Seth asked.
"Yeah. You know I did consider flying to Tennessee for two days."
"Yeah Dad got a call yesterday telling him you were suspended and what happened. He's taking you to the doctor tomorrow."
"Is he mad?"
"A little but I don't think it's about the suspension."
"The charge on my credit card?"
"I don't think he's mad at you just at the situation."
I nodded and Seth took me to dinner then home. Dad didn't seem too angry with me when I walked in the door so I figured he was really only mad at the situation. "Where's Squish?" I asked.
"Upstairs on his bed. The doctor rescheduled it for tomorrow after your doctor's appointment." Seth said.
"Rescheduled what?" I asked.
"Lizzy—it's time." Seth said softly.
"No! Not my kitty." I begged the fled up the stairs. I didn't want my cat to die. "My poor baby." I said seeing him laid out on his bed on the floor next to mine. "My poor little kitty." I picked him up off the floor and set him down on the bed then cuddled around him petting him and singing the song I always sang to him.
"Liz we need to—Baby, he's getting old." Dad was now standing in my doorway.
"He's only 11." I answered.
"I know but look at him. He's in pain." Dad said.
I looked down at my kitty who meowed painfully. "Aw baby." I said.
"He'll go be with your mom and she'll keep him company until you meet him again." Dad said. He gave me a weak smile then left as my bed vibrated and it wasn't from Squish's purring.
"Hey Dean," I said swallowing hard.
"I was just calling to see if you made it. I guess you did."
"They're putting Squish down tomorrow."
"Aw baby. It's gonna be ok. I wish I could be there. Your family is there though and they'll take care of you."
"Yeah. I have to see my doctor tomorrow too."
"Your dad hasn't said anything about your suspensions?"
"He only knows about the one but if they called him about the medical thing I'm sure they called about the prank. I think he's just holding off until after the vet."
"Mrs. Reed called Fulton to see how things were going. He told her what happened and though she's proud of you she was also a little worried."
"Has Charlie talked to his mom?"
"Not yet. He looked really upset at dinner but I don't know why. It might have been the pictures but I hear she denied it. He was really off at practice." He said. We talked for a few more minutes then he hung up.
The next morning I was off to the doctor's office. He looked over my test results from the school then ran his own. Three hours later he finally came back to see me. "I've spoken with your school. A Dean Buckley I believe."
"He's the headmaster." I said.
"I've explained your medication and the incident you ran into when you were in Chicago. He's agreed to let you back to school after you serve the rest of your punishment."
"Thanks doc." I said.
We left and Seth took me to the vet's office. Soon the vet came out and ushered us back in. I sat Squish down on the cold table and he purred. I crouched down to his eye level and softly said my goodbyes. I held his paws in my hands as the doctor injected him to put him to sleep. When I stood the doctor nodded I knew my kitty was gone. I stood up and Seth wrapped an arm around me. Seth took the collar the doctor offered and after Seth settled the bill we went back home.
In my room I put all of Squish's toys, his collar, and pet bed in a big box and buried it in the back yard under the big tree. As I walked back inside, tears still in my eyes, I spotted my brother on the couch.
"My sweet, little girl," Dad said. I looked over at him as he sat in his arm chair.
"You got a phone call from Dean Buckley and you now know what the doctor was talking about right?"
"Two weeks suspension?"
"My mama was a sweet, kind, caring, generous individual. Aunt Casey says I get that from her."
"Stronzate." Dad muttered. I knew what my dad had said in Italian.
"What?" I asked pretending I didn't. He shook his head. "Anyway, she also said that I try to take care of everyone. When it comes to cases you always try to get both sides so I hope you'll at least let me explain."
"Go on." Dad said.
"Really?" Seth asked.
"She's a lot like me." Dad said.
"I get bored with the same mundane routine day after day. So to spice things up a little bit I pranked the varsity hockey team. They didn't like it too much. They came back full force at the JV team. So this went back and forth for the past couple of weeks. Last Wednesday they pranked us, well tried to, by sticking us with the bill for dinner at Mark Anthony's on Fifth. I had to pay for it. Scooter couldn't and no one else really could. I mean they're all street rats." I said.
"Frank Portman owns the biggest used car company in Chicago."
"Right, well I didn't know that at the time. Anyway I paid for that bill but the prank still stood so Tuesday morning Charlie and some of our team used a couple shop-vacs to coat the dorm rooms for Varsity in flour. I took the blame so nothing bad would happen to the team. If they get suspended even in school suspensions they can't play. They don't play they don't go to play offs. I didn't want to do that to them."
"You get suspended your scholarship gets revoked."
"Not actually. I'm not allowed to go on the class trip and I have to miss three days of practice when I get back but that's it."
"And they sent you home because of the drug testing thing?"
"Yes sir. I don't know exactly why or what it was about my test that came back unclear but I think it has something to do with my medication."
"The doctor explained it all. Two week suspension means two week grounding, no computer, no house phone, no leaving the house without me."
"I know what grounding means."
"Really? Because I've never grounded you."
"You grounded Seth and Chris."
"True. I guess that explains everything. Now bring me your computer and go to your room." I did so and lay on my bed curled around Bobert dreaming about what life would be like had my momma not died.
There you have it. Wonder what you think.