Chapter 12 Lawyers and cat fights.
The screen shows Mrs Desjardin, Principal Morton, Chris Hargenson and her father.
The people look curiously at the new scene. Some of the smarter ones, including Mrs Desjardin, remembering what Chris Hargenson had said earlier during detention, had an idea what they were going to be shown next.
The four of them sat in the principal's office.
The people in the room feel slightly proud at having their suspicions been proven right, while Rita feels a sense of dread. Was Chris Hargenson's threat true, was her future self going to lose her job?
Mr Hargenson:"This gym teacher was running Chrissie into the ground and used profanity".
The room is silent for a few seconds before people start laughing at the men arrogance.
''I can't believe you are sticking up for her''. Says Mrs Watson to John Hargenson. She shakes her head at the man's poor style of parenting.
''I can, that daughter of his has to get it from somewhere''. Says Mrs Upshaw.
That silences the other adults. In the other side of the room the students are also talking about what they are seeing. Some of them make funny faces, trying to copy the arrogant expression on Mr Hargenson's face and his strict posture.
"I believe the term 'shitty' was can't do that; It's abuse of power".
Chris Hargenson: "You're right, Daddy, That's what she said"
''Are we all seeing this?'' Says Mrs Yang in disbelief. The people in the room stop laughing, not finding the situation funny anymore. People start to whisper to each other.
''No wonder she used to think before this she could get away with anything. Why wouldn't she when daddy comes running whenever she opens her mouth''.
Jessica and Freddy look at Carrie. Earlier she had laughed when Jessica had done her impersonation of Mr Hargenson, but now she looked sad. Like she had already made peace with the fact that her bully would get away scotch free with everything. Again. Jessica gave Freddy a look and then pointed to Carrie.
Getting the clue, Freddy decided to comfort Carrie the best he could.
''Hey Carrie, no matter what we are being shown next, it does not matter okay?''. Says Freddy. Freddy hears Jessica groaning.
''Way to go Holt''.
''Umm what I mean is that what we are being shown is never going to come to pass we are changing things''. Carrie still looks uncertain.
''It is like an alternate reality you know about those right?''. Stammers Freddy. Before Carrie can say something Freddy continues talking.
''Alternate realities are a very common thing in comic books like the time that Spider-man went to an universe where he was in fact a woman or the time that Batman went to another universe where his father had become Batman and his mother the Joker because he had died instead of his parents..." Before he can continue, Jessica Upshaw stops him.
''While I appreciate your effort to teach Carrie more about a book other then the Bible, I don't think we have time for that now." Freddy flushes as Carrie coughs.
''I know about those, I read some comic books in the library''. Carrie said while smiling at Freddy. ''But I wouldn't mind hearing more about some of your favorite comic books after this movie is done, maybe they can help us with discovering more about my powers'' Says Carrie while smiling at Freddy.
''That is a not an bad idea Carrie! I will talk later with my father about this, okay''. Says Freddy. The two of them smile at each other, while in the background Jessica smirks at the two of them.
"Shitty, She's really abusive".
Multiple people open their mouth, ready to defend Miss Desjardin and point out Chris hypocrisy, but they are beaten by someone unexpected.
"No, she isn't…not really". Chris turns to her right to look at Tina Blake. Chris flushes red as she feels guilty at her future self's words, remembering the way that Margaret treats Carrie.
Principal Morton: "Ms. Desjardin was reprimanded for what happened in class today. But you know we've had a lot of problems with your daughter in the past".
"Another student would have long been expelled by now". Whispers Mrs Martina to Mr Frogg. While the rest watched the scene Rita Desjardin felt relief going through her body. Morton was sticking up for her. Seems like her future self wasn't going to lose her job after all.
But will he also defend Carrie?
"And now, with what she did to her classmate, Carrie White. The girl was having her..."
"Period, Henry". Says Rita to the mortified principal. But beneath it, she was happy. He was also sticking up for her Carrie. It gave her hope to see Morton defending Carrie, even when he did not know her like he did now.
Maybe there is hope for us after all.
"What your daughter and her posse..."
Mr Hargenson: "I'm not going to sit here and listen to half-truths".
John looks around and sees a lot of people staring at him. While he know he deserves it, doesn't mean it isn't annoying that he and his daughter seem to get their fair share of negative attention. He only hopes that he or Chrissie's future selves don't do anything else to further harm their standing. Meanwhile Principal Morton felt himself beginning to sweat. He was going head to head with John Hargenson. Under his fear and disbelief, he felt pride at his future self actions and he hopes that he wouldn't end up caving to John Hargenson's demands.
"I know my daughter, She said she didn't do it".
Both father and daughter flush red in embarrassment.
"Well listen here, I can see that in the future I might have made a wrong assignment of the situation but..." Says John Hargenson but he is interrupted before he can finish his sentence.
"Wrong assignment? Your daughter said fuck you against a teacher and told her to go screw herself". Says Mrs Shrys. She looks at her daughter, wondering if it would be a good idea to forbid her from having contact with the Ultra's and especially Chris Hargenson. Agent Maggie McGreger nods her head.
''Next time don't believe everything your daughter says and try to listen to other people". Says agent Maggie Mcgregor. Looking at the the embarrassed father and daughter she felt a bit of pity and added: "Teenagers lie all the time, she isn't the first one and she won't be the last so don't be too hard on yourself''.
The room was quite after that, rethinking the agents words.
'Well said Mrs McGregor'' Said Principal Morton.
"I want her prom privileges restored"."You can't prove she did anything, can you?"
Mrs Desjardin: "I believe that there is a video of the incident…And I think your daughter is the one who took it".
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh". Say several students. "Busted''.
"I think a video like that would probably be pretty damning to anyone in it and to the person who made it. Don't you, Mr. Hargensen?"
The students and adults stare at the gym teacher, surprised that she had figured out who had filmed the video. Some of them wanted to ask her how she knew, but remembering that this was a future version of Mrs Desjardin and not wanted to be seen as stupid , kept quiet and continued watching the scene in front of them.
"I don't know, I'm just a gym teacher, but it seems like a video like that would probably affect college admissions, possibly a lawsuit, tons of bad publicity".
Carrie stares full of admiration and disbelief at Rita and Principal Morton. She felt giddy. They were defending her, really defending her. Which wasn't as strange as it would have been a week, heck a day ago, but it meant so much more to see that they would have defended her even if all this hadn't happened today. they still would have stood up for her against the likes of Chris Hargenson and her father. Miss Desjardin and Principal Morton felt bashful under the look they were getting from Carrie. The two of them share a look, hoping that their future selves manage to best John Hargenson.
I don't care if I end up losing my job as long as Mrs Desjardin ends up keeping hers and I can find justice for Miss White. Morton thought to himself.
"I wonder what The Today Show would do with a video like that".
Romy Wilson smiles at the cunning of the gym teacher. John Hargenson's image would probably be damaged if Mrs Desjardin would expose what his snotty brat had done. But the brat must have already deleted the video from her cellphone. She wouldn't be as stupid to keep such a damning piece of evidence on her cellphone.
"I think we should just look at her phone and if it's not there. I owe you a huge apology and she should be allowed to go to prom".
"That video isn't still on her phone, is it?". Asks Tina to no one in particular. The rest of the room is quiet, most thinking Miss Hargenson was smart enough to delete it, but yet a few had doubts.
Mr Hargenson: "Chris".
Chris Hargenson: "Daddy, I'm not going to give them my phone. I have personal things on here".
The room was silent. Then multiple people started either giggling or groaning.
''A.k.a you still have it on your phone" Said Sue Snell in a deadpan voice. Chris groans and throws her face in her hands.
"Isn't that invasion of privacy or something?"
"And you think it isn't obvious when you refuse to give your phone?". Says Heather Shrys as Chris turns red.
"It isn't like I have any other options, Heath. It seems I forgot to delete the video from my phone". Chris groans once again at her future self's stupidity.
Mr Hargenson: "Chrissie, if you want to go to prom, just give them the damn phone and we can be done with this. I have to get back to work".
Chris Hargenson: "Dad".
Rita Desjardin felt a rush of adrenaline going through her. She and Morton were going to come out of this battle unscathered. If Chris refused to give her phone, it was as good as an confession.
Mr Hargenson: "God damn it, just give them your phone, Chris".
Chris Hargenson: "No". Chris walks away.
Billy Delois walks to a table and climbs on it.
"And the winner is Ritttaaaaaaaa". Screams Billy Delois like he is the host of a boxing match,
"Everyone give her a big applause". Says Hehry Trennant from his chair. The students and some adults start to clap. Rita blushes, but rises from her chair and accepts the praise.
''Now sit down, Mr Delois so we can continue!'' Says Principal Morton at this point used to the boys antics. The boy booed, but did what he was told.
The screen shows the gym, now decorated for the prom. On the stairs sit the Ultra' all turn their heads to the door. Chris walks from the door to her friends.
Chris Hargenson: "So, I'm officially out of the prom. I bet that cocksucker Morton loses his job, though".
"Detention, Mrs Hargenson!" Screams Principal Morton. Chris just signed, at this point used to it and deciding to fight her detentions after this was all done and everyone had calmed down. It couldn't get worse then this, right?
"My dad is suing him, Jesus, Sue, why didn't you stand up for me? We could have had them by the balls".
Sue Snell: "We deserved it for what we did to Carrie White, I thought I deserved it. Desjardin was right: We did a shitty thing for no reason".
"At least one of the girls got the message". Says Rita Desjardin to Sue Snell. Sue felt the stares off the other people off the room on her. They all look at her with pride, including her parents and Tommy.
Was being kind before this to Carrie before all of this truly that extraordinaire?
Perfect little Sue Snell. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Sue watches her future self and makes a decision. Because she isn't perfect and this isn't good enough. She turns to her best friend.
Possibly ex best friend after this.
''We both did a shitty thing Chris a real shitty thing, Miss Desjardin is right''. Says Sue Snell.
''Sue babe, I know you are upset, but you have apologized and this hasn't happened, you can't blame yourself for something you haven't done''. Says Tommy Ross, trying to calm his girlfriend. Sue shakes her head and looks at her parents and boyfriend.
''If we hadn't been shown this, this all would have happened! We just would have been going our merry way, while Carrie would have had her face on YouTube for the whole world to see!'' Whatever protest they are on Mr and Mrs Snell and others lips die at those words. So no, we can't apologize enough''.
Sue stands up and walks to Carrie. Once she is close by, she looks Carrie in the eyes. For a moment she doesn't know what to say.
Well it is now or never.
''And I am not only apologizing for that, but for all the times I could have spoken up or when I made fun of you…I am really sorry Carrie'' Says Sue. Carrie looks at Sue looking for a sign of deceit. When she doesn't find anything she nods her head.
''Thank you''.
She doesn't say she forgives Sue, but for now it is enough. After a while, when the room has calmed down and everyone is back in it's seat the movie continues.
Chris Hargenson: "Bullshit! Carrie goes around saying that everyone but her and her mother are going to hell and you stuck up for her?"
The room turns to look at Carrie and what her response will be. Carrie has a regretful and thoughtful look on her face, like she had though about this before and now could finally answer it.
"I never meant to say something unkind, I am sorry if I or my mother said something that hurt you". Says Carrie.
"Hey no biggie, I see now you didn't meant to insult us ''. Says Heather Shryss, shaking her shoulders.
"You actually didn't insult us as much as you might think, seeing what your mother called your neighbor, you went pretty easy on us'' Jokes George Dawson. At Carrie's guilty face he continued. "No serious, don't be to hard on yourself. From what I have seen you don't have it in you to hurt an fly and having Margaret as a mother means you must have had no idea how to communicate when you were younger''. Said George. That seemed to calm Carrie and she give him a small smile.
"Come on!"
Sue Snell: " You can be such a pig sometimes, Chris. What did Carrie White ever do to you?"
Chris Hargenson: "She's been begging for it since the first grade, Sue".
Sue Snell: "I've got to go. Sue walks away.
Chris Hargenson: " I seem to remember you were in there throwing shit with the rest of us. What was it that she was calling her? Freak?"
Sue feels guilty again. Regret clear for all to see on her face. Tommy Ross and George Dawson look at Sue with worry.
"Don't think about it now". Says Tommy. Sue and George stare at Tommy.
"Why not bro?". Asks George.
"Why were we send this movie?". Tommy answers. Both think for a few seconds.
"To change the future". Says Sue.
"Exactly". Says Tommy.
"We have already been shown Carrie having her period which means..."
"Something is gonna happen in the near future". Finishes George. The three students look at each other.
"I think it is the best if we continue watching the movie and deal with our guilt later". Says Tommy. Sue relaxes a bit and the three students turn their heads to the screen.
Sue Snell: " I stopped".
Chris Hargenson: "Oh, you stopped?"
Sue Snell: " Yeah".
The girls cringe at the look on Chris face.
Chris Hargenson: "Why did you keep running? Hmm? Why did you keep running, Sue?"
Sue Snell: "Stop it, Chris!"
Chris Hargenson: "You kept running, Sue, little Suze, because you've been dreaming about senior year and the perfect boyfriend and the perfect prom your whole goddamned life. You already booked the hotel, already practiced the sounds you're going to make when you and Tommy make love".
The people in the room stare with disgust to Chris. All the other Ultra's look shaken by the fight between two of their own. Most not knowing who to side with. Chris hears the other students and adults whisper to each other. She and Sue look at each other, but after a few seconds Sue turns her face away, inwillingly to look at Chris, a look of hurt passing on her face.
Am I going to lose Sue because of this?
"That's why you had this bullshit change of heart. You don't give a shit about Carrie White And everybody knows it…Okay, I'll see you around, Sue".
Chris walks out of the gym.
And done! I am terribly sorry I kept you all waiting so long for this chapter. I had a bit of writersblock, but I think it turned out alright. Or at least better then the earlier versions. As you all could read Sue has finally found her voice, and while most do not know it this chapter is a turning point. I hope you all leave reviews and till next time.