Chapter 2—Guy's and Fred's Advice To Get Bella Back

Guy's POV

"Man, I don't know. You are in a sticky spot," I said looking at my nails. They were dirty from work, I had to clean one of the fryers today.

"I know so what do I do?" Charlie asked.

"Maybe we need to ask Fred for his opinion on what to do," I said.

"Ask me what boys?" Fred said as he popped his head in the kitchen.

"JESUS H. CHRIST, You scared the shit out of me," Charlie said with his hand up to his heart.

"How did you know that we were talking about you?" I asked.

"It's a small apartment. I overheard the conversion. What's up boys?" Fred asked.

"Well, it's about Bella. I want her to go to prom with me. Remember when Bella and I had broken up and I was seeing Reese?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah vaguely. Wasn't she the pushy blonde that didn't want to do her homework and expected Mommy and Daddy to bail her out?" Fred asked.

"That's her," Charlie and I said together.

"Go on," Fred said.

"Well Bella was dating a guy by the name of Paddy. And when he moved away they broke up and Bella started to see me again. Well Bella tried to write a letter to Paddy telling him what happened between me and her. And she couldn't do it," Charlie said.

"So, it sounds like it more Bella's problem then it is yours," Fred said.

"The problem is that Paddy made a surprise trip to see Bella in the musical and when she tried to go after him. To try and explain, I held her back. Because I didn't want my girl to get away from me again," Charlie said.

"Charlie, you are being possessive of Bella and that is not a good sign. I don't ever. EVER show possessiveness to your mother. She is a human being not my property," Fred said.

"Yeah," Charlie said.

"The same is true with Bella. What was the worst thing that could have happened between Bella, Paddy, and you?" Fred asked.

"That Bella would marry Paddy and that I would lose a great girl. But it looks like I have already lost her," Charlie said.

"Yeah, but I think that you need to apologize to Bella," Fred said.

"He already tried that," I said.

"Oh, well then maybe you need to write to this Paddy and show Bella the letter, to try and explain what happened," Fred said.

"Do you think that would work?" I asked.

"It couldn't hurt Guy," Fred said.

"Come on Guy we have work to do," Charlie said.

"Yeah," I said.

"Thanks Fred," Charlie said.

"Anytime Charlie," Fred said.

Guy and I spend hours working on the letter to Paddy in the end it look like this:

Hi Paddy,

It's Charlie. I want to say how sorry I am for moving in on Bella after you left. I hate to admit this, but I am a jealous guy and have been for my entire life. You may or may not know this, but I have loved Bella since we were 9 years old, so after you left it only seemed natural for Bella to fall into my arms again.

I know that Bella was very hesitant to want to go back out with me. So please be assured that it took weeks to get Bella to say yes to us dating, again. I am sorry that I held her back from you after Grease, I am sure that you were just as disappointed in me as I was in Bella for not telling you. If I had known I would have let her go to try and explain things to you.

I know that you and I didn't always get along, but if there is a way that we could come to a terms of agreement then I would be happy to start over in a friendship with you.

I hope that you will understand and that I will see you next year.

Best wishes,

Charles A. Conway

"So now what Guy?" I asked.

"Well, you have to make a copy of the letter to show Bella and hopefully she will say yes," Guy said.

April 25th, 2000

I made sure that I was at the administration building right when it opened at 7:45 the next morning.

"Hi Mrs. Maple pool, Marpole. Hi Mrs. Marpole, I need to make a copy of this please," I said.

"Copiers in this building are for Eden Hall business only. If you wish to make a copy go down to the library and make your copy. Copies are twenty-five cents a piece there," Mrs. Marpole said who had to be in her early sixty's, with gray hair and a fat body, smelled of smoke and had a very gravelly voice.

"But I don't have a quarter. Please?" I asked.

"Did you not hear what I said? Copiers in this building are for Eden Hall business only. If you wish to make a copy go down to the library and make your copy. Good day, Sir," Mrs. Marpole said.

I knew that Dean Buckley if he was still here might let me make the copy, now I felt even more guilty for getting him fired. "But Mrs. Marpole," I started to say.

"I said, Good day, Sir," Mrs. Marpole said.

I walked out with slumped shoulders.

"Well?" Guy asked running up to me.

"No go, have to go to the Library and make the copy and copies are a quarter a piece," I said.

"Ah shit," Guy said.

"I know. Do you have a quarter?" I asked.

"Nope I spent it on Prom," Guy said.

"That's right the limo," I said.

The Ducks and our dates if we could get one where going to ride up to Prom in style by renting a Limo, well actually three limos. We all spilt the cost of the limos, but I think that Phillip did more than his fair share by helping me out with my end. Guy's boss promised him 40 hours a week during the summer since he would have graduated. If he did well, he might be shift management material. Which was surprising since Guy was only there about 16 hours a week since the season ended.

"Hey there's Fulton and Portman, maybe they have a quarter," Guy said.

"Yeah,' I said to Guy and took off running, 'Hey Portman, Fulton wait up."

"What's up Charlie?" Fulton asked.

"I need to make a copy in the library, and I don't have a quarter. Do either of you have a quarter that I could borrow?" I asked.

"Does it look like I am made of money?" Portman said.

"Sorry Dude, I spent my allowance on Tammy yesterday," Fulton said.

"Tammy? As in Tammy Duncan?" I asked.

"That would be her," Fulton said.

"Yeah my little bash brother is in love," Portman said.

"We are going to Prom together," Fulton said as he gushed and turned bright red.

"Well, you are going to have to tell me everything but right now, I am trying to get Bella to go with me to the Prom," I said.

"Yeah see you later dude," Portman said as he walked west to head for his class in T.H Majors. When Dean came to Minnesota in the fall of 1996 to help with our victory over the varsity, they put the bash brothers together in every class. The guidance counselor Dr. Turner and Dean Buckley soon realize what a mistake that was. So, they were split up for all classes except for two Study Hall and PE. For Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year.

"Yeah sorry man, I can't help you," Fulton said and then he walked off into the Courtyard to go to our English class in JFA.

"Hi Charlie," said a voice behind me.

I turned and saw Linda.

"Hey Linda," I said.

"I overheard your conversion with the Bash Brothers. Do you need to borrow a quarter?" Linda asked.

"Yeah, but it's okay I would not think of asking you," I said.

"Charlie," Linda said as she rolled her eyes.

"What?" I said.

"Here take it," Linda said as she held a quarter in her hand.

"Linda, I," I said.

"Don't worry about it. You are in need, and I don't need it," Linda said as she put the quarter in my hand.

"Thanks," I said as I kissed her on the cheek.

I ran down to the library and as I was walking in I heard the Tower bell rung, the 5-minute warning to class started. Followed by the warning bells that the school had on the inside of each of the buildings. I had to hurry. There were two photocopiers in the library, and I knew that I would be a quick squeeze in and out. That was before I realized that one of the photocopiers was out of order and the other had two freshmen in front of it making copies for a class project in Modern World History.

"Come on hurry up we are going to be late for class Dr. Barber will kill us," one freshman said to the person making the copies.

"I am trying a few more pages and we are done," the other freshman said to the other.

I threw my hands up into the air, they weren't the only ones who were going to be late.

Before we knew it the bell rang starting class, well so much for being on time.

"Oh great," said the first freshman to the second.

"There we are all done," said the second freshman.

"Finally," I muttered under my breath.

"WHAT?" said the second freshman.

"You took forever fresh meat," I said.

"Watch it John, he is a senior and a hockey player," said the first freshman.

"That would be former, and he shouldn't be here. He is way below Eden Hall's Standards," said John.

"Ok boys, that is enough. Get going to your classes," said Mrs. Rosco the librarian.

"I just need to make one copy, and I am gone," I said.

"Make it quick Mr. Conway," said Mrs. Rosco the librarian.

"Yes Mame,' I said, and I stepped up to the machine and quickly put the quarter that Linda lent to me in the machine and put the paper in the automatic paper feeder and press start. The machine started to slowly roar to life, 'oh come on you old piece of crap, run."

"Mr. Conway that is not the way to treat the machines," said Mrs. Rosco the librarian.

I glared at her and said nothing, I knew she was right. The machine was done at 810 with my copy. I quickly grabbed my copies and walked up to the desk.

"Before you even ask the answer is no," said Mrs. Rosco the librarian.

But, I started to say.

"I said no, get your butt to class," said Mrs. Rosco the librarian.

I quickly stuffed my papers in with my books and ran across the courtyard to get into the JFA building and then quickly upstairs to room 216.

The door was locked from the inside, I knew I was extremely late. I waited until Dr. Johnston's back was turned to the blackboard, writing something on it before I tapped on the window to get Fulton's attention.

"Who is that?" Dr. Johnston said. I quickly hid behind the door.

"No one Dr. Johnston, you must be hearing things," Fulton said.

"HMM as I was saying verbal irony is the use of language to express the opposite sentiment than what is expected. The most recognizable form of verbal irony is sarcasm, where the speaker says the opposite of what they mean often for comedic effect….." Dr. Johnston said.

Fulton quickly and quietly opened and closed the door for me. I suck past Dr. Johnston at the board talking.

"Jane Austen uses irony in many of her novels but especially in Pride and Prejudice. Well, well, well Mr. Conway. You know my rules that when I enter the classroom and close the door you are locked out of class. Who let him in?" Dr. Johnston said.

"Mr. Reed did, I saw him," Jeremiah Hope said.

"You little suck up," I whispered. He was always a suck up; I don't think that he ever bent the rules.

"Both of you Dean Donovon's office, NOW!" Dr. Johnston said.

"Are you being serious?" Fulton said.

"No, I am using irony, Mr. Reed. Of course I am being serious," Dr. Johnston said.

"But Dr. Johnston, I was in the Library making a copy for a class and there were two freshmen in front of me and the other copier is broken and….," I said.

"SAVE IT FOR DEAN DONOVON. NOW MOVE OR I WILL FAIL YOU. BOTH OF YOU," Dr. Johnston yelled.

"BUT," I started to say.

"No Charlie don't," Connie whispered.

I hung my head and said, "yes, sir."

"Yes, Dr. Johnston," Fulton said as he grabbed his things and threw them in his backpack, and we went down to Dean Donovan's office.

"Oh, fantastic your back. Please tell me it's not about the copy, again?" Mrs. Marpole said.

"Yes and no. I made the copy in the library and," I started.

"We have been sent down here to see Dean Donovan," Fulton said.

"Oh, I see have a seat gentleman, the Dean will be with you shortly," Mrs. Marpole said.

"Yes Mame," Fulton and I both said, together.

When we sat down I said, "I am sorry Fulton."

"Eh, don't worry about it," Fulton said.

We were waiting a good 20 minutes when we heard Mrs. Marpole said, "Dean Donovan will see you now."

"Mr. Conway and Mr. Reed. Please have a seat. What am I seeing you about?" Dean Donovan asked. She was maybe fifty, with Blonde hair and wearing a blazer suit. I had only met with her one other time as the Dean. When Connie and I were trying to figure out if we were going to be dismissed for finding the information about Dean Buckley. Lucky for us the answer was no from Both Dean Donovan and Dr. West. Other than that, I never saw Dean Donovan on the other hand I was a frequent flyer in Dr. West's office. Dr. West had apparently taken the day off today.

"Do you want to start, Charlie?" Fulton said.

"Yeah, So I had made a mistake with Bella and an ex-boyfriend of hers on one of the nights of the musical and Bella is mad at me. I want to take Bella to prom with me. So, I wrote a letter to the ex-boyfriend of hers and I needed to make a copy," I said.

"Uh huh and?" Dean Donovan said.

"And I wanted to make a copy up here this morning because I didn't have the money to use the library copier's. But Mrs. Marpole said that the copiers in this building are for Eden Hall business only," I said.

"Which is true. Go on," Dean Donovan said.

"Anyway, I tried to ask Guy, Portman and Fulton for a quarter which they told me that they didn't have money because of Prom," I said.

"Is that why you are in my office Mr. Reed?" Dean Donovan asked.

"No, I come back into the story in a few minutes," Fulton said.

"Go on Mr. Conway," Dean Donovan said.

"Anyway, I borrowed from Linda Chavez. I ran down to the library to make the copy. One of the copiers was broken and the other had two freshman making there copies. By the time they were done with making copies the tardy bell had rung. I quickly made my copy and when I asked Mrs. Rosco for a pass to Dr. Johnston's class she told me no," I said.

"I see," Dean Donovan said.

"Anyway, I raced over to Dr. Johnston's class but by the time that I got there it was locked, so I had Fulton open the door to let me in," I said.

"And that's where you come in Mr. Reed?" Dean Donovan said.

"Yes," Fulton said.

"And you were caught trying to sneak in by Dr. Johnston?" Dean Donovan said.

"Yes," I said.

"Then Jeremiah Hope, ratted both of us out and that is why I am in here, for letting Charlie in the classroom, Dean Donovan," Fulton said.

"Which isn't that against fire codes or something?" I asked.

"To lock the door to the inside of the classroom. Can you open the door from the inside?" Dean Donovan asked.

"Yes," Fulton said.

"Then no it's not against fire codes," Dean Donovan said.

"So that's the story," I said.

"I see. I need to get Mrs. Marpole and Rosco's and Dr. Johnston's side of the story, before I decide what to do, about this situation," Dean Donovan said.

Just then the bell rung dismissing class.

"Okay," Fulton and I both said.

"Go ahead and go to your second period class, Mr. Conway and Mr. Reed," Dean Donovan.

"Yes Dean Donovan," Fulton and I said, and we started to get up and walk out of the Dean's office, which was Calculus for both of us in TH Majors .

I wrote a note to Bella while Dr. Anderson was rambling on and on about surface integrals. I had to sit on the opposite side of Bella. I was in the back left hand corner whereas Bella was in the front right-hand corner. I really didn't care about math, I could not wait for the year to be over, and I would be done with Dr. Anderson forever.

Bella

I am sorry for what I said. I'm the worst boyfriend in the world. But I wrote to Paddy, and I have included a copy of the letter, and I need his address. So, I can send it to him.

Charlie

I passed the note to Fulton on my right, he passed it to Connie in front of him. Connie passed the note to Russ on her right, he passed it to Goldberg in front of him. Goldberg passed the note to Gunnar on his right and Gunnar passed the note to Ken on his right. Ken passed the note to Bella in front of him. When Bella got the note we heard.

"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT PASSING NOTES IN CLASS?" Dr. Anderson yelled.

Bella quickly hid the note between her legs that was crossed like a woman's should be and said, "what note?"

"THE NOTE THAT I SAW OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE, MS. BOMBAY. AND DON'T TELL ME THAT I AM SEEING THINGS," Dr. Anderson yelled.

"How many times have I told you it's Bella Banks. Not Bella Bombay," Bella started getting all defensive.

"Hmm," Dr. Anderson said before he turned back to the blackboard.

Finally, the bell rang dismissing us from class, "Your homework tonight is to read through the question and do all 1-14 show your work. Then 15-35 Evens only," Dr. Anderson said and then he dismissed us from class. I smiled as I left the classroom, two more weeks with him and we were done with him forever.

"Damn you Charlie," Bella said as I walked out of the classroom, I was always one of the last people out of the room.

"Jesus Bella," I said.

"You damn near get me into trouble with the stunt you just pulled. Is that what you want? Not to graduate and not to go to Wisconsin next year?" Bella asked.

"No of course not Bella. But I need to make it up to you, did you read it yet?" I asked.

"Not yet, I will read it later. I have to go to French class," Bella said, and she took off at a breakneck speed to get back to the JFA building before the bell rang. I took the shortcut to Hinkle Science building for advanced Biology.

It was the seventh period before Fulton, and I heard of our fate. We were sitting in Dr. English's classroom for Study Hall. I was working on my short story when we heard from the intercom.

"Excuse me, Dr. English," Mrs. Marpole said.

"Yes?" Dr. English asked.

"Would you please send, Mr. Conway and Mr. Reed to Dean Donovan's office," Mrs. Marpole said.

"Yes' Dr. English said to Mrs. Marpool, then she turned to us, 'Mr. Conway and Mr. Reed please come up here for your passes."

Once we got up to Dean Donovan's office we heard, "You may go in gentlemen," from Mrs. Marpole. Fulton and I looked at each other. This was not good.

"Mr. Conway and Mr. Reed please have a seat," Dean Donovan said.

"So, after speaking with all of the parties involved with this morning's incidents, I have come up with your punishment for each of your roles for what you have done. Is there anymore you need to say before I hand out your punishment?" Dean Donovan said and folded her hands on the desk.

"No Dean," Fulton said.

"No," I said.

"Alright as for you Mr. Reed I have decided that one afternoon cleaning all of the boards in the JFA building would be sufficient for you. I know what you did was let Mr. Conway into the classroom, But Dr. Johnston has rules for a reason and one of those is that those that are late are not admitted because that is they are a disruption to the class," Dean Donovan said.

"Yes, Dean," Fulton said.

"As for you Mr. Conway you will have the next four days in detention working two areas. One will be helping Mrs. Rosco, restock all of the paper in the copiers and printers in the library as well as replacement of printer and copier cartridges, resetting the change machines in the library and cleaning all boards, restocking all of the books, cleaning the restrooms, and taking out the trash. You need to apologize to Dr. Johnston for being late and mouthing off to him. Also need to apologize to Mrs. Marpole and Mrs. Rosco for mouthing off to them," Dean Donovan said.

"And the other?" I asked.

"The other condition is to clean all of the boards in JFA and Hanks, Walters and Majors, you will be working afterschool in the library today and tomorrow, cleaning the boards on Thursday and Friday afternoon," Dean Donovan said.

"Yes Dean Donovan," I said.

"Good. Mr. Reed you will report to me after school. Mr. Conway you will report to Mrs. Rosco today and tomorrow and then to me Thursday and Friday. Both of your parents will be made aware of what happened. Is that understood?" Dean Donovan asked.

"Crystal," I said.

"Good. See Mrs. Marpole about a pass back to study hall. You are both excused," Dean Donovan said.

We both got up and headed for Mrs. Marpole's desk.

"Where too, Mr. Reed and Mr. Conway?" Mrs. Marpole asked.

"Study hall with Dr. English," We both said at once.

"I uh, wanted to apologize to you Mrs. Marpole. I uh didn't mean to be so pushy this morning with you," I said.

"Hmm, I hope you learned you lesson Mr. Conway," Mrs. Marpole said.

"Yes Mame, I have," I said.

"Me too," Fulton said.

"Good apology accepted. Here are your passes, have a good day Gentleman," Mrs. Marpole said.

"Well at least we are not kicked out of school," I said once we got outside of the administration building.

"Yeah," Fulton said.

"Don't tell me that your mad at me?" I asked.

"No, I am not," Fulton said.

"Is your mom going to be mad?" I asked.

"Nope, because she isn't going to get the message," Fulton said.

"Why not?" I asked.

Fulton rolled his eyes at me before he said, "Cmon, Charlie. My mom works two jobs, she doesn't get home until 9:30 at night and she never gave Eden Hall the information to contact her at work. I am just going to have Portman go over and erase the message afterschool. What about your mom?"

"Are you kidding me? If they don't catch her at home they will call her at Mickeys," I said.

"Oh shit, so your prom with Bella is pretty much in the toilet," Fulton said.

"Yeah," I said.

A/N: Please leave a review, let me know what you think.