Operation Stink Bomb Chapter 4
Reese took a deep breath, his heart pounding but his resolve unwavering. "Mom, I've run this business for over three years without you noticing. I've designed over 1,000 dresses in that time. Yes, that's right, Mother. And I will not give that up for something you just want to use to see me miserable."
Lois's eyes widened in shock, but Reese pressed on, his voice steady and firm. "You know that kimono you saw me in? I made that by hand." With that, he began to remove his boy clothes, revealing the outfit he had worn to New York—the emerald, green kimono robe, the green haori jacket, the green earrings, his top knot hair with the green snake chopstick, and his green nails. His makeup was perfectly applied, highlighting his features with grace and confidence.
"My business is this, Mother," Reese continued, standing tall and proud. "Not digging bloody holes. And it's about time you see it and accept it. This is my future."
Lois's face turned an alarming shade of red, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and disbelief. "You think you can just defy me like this? You think you can just flaunt this... this nonsense in my face?"
Reese met her gaze, his voice calm but resolute. "It's not nonsense, Mom. It's my passion, my talent, and my future. You should be proud of me for finding something I'm good at and making a success of it."
Lois's hands trembled as she pointed a finger at Reese. "This is unacceptable! You can't just decide to run off to New York and play dress-up while ignoring your responsibilities!"
Reese shook his head, his voice rising slightly. "I'm not playing dress-up, Mom. I'm running a legitimate business. I have clients, I trade designs with other professionals, and I've made a name for myself in the industry. You can't take that away from me."
The room fell silent, the tension thick and suffocating. Hal, Malcolm, and Dewey watched with wide eyes, unsure of how to react.
Lois took a deep breath, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "You are on thin ice, Reese. One more slip-up, and there will be severe consequences. Do you understand?"
Reese nodded, his heart still pounding. "I understand, Mom. But I'm not giving up my business. Not for you, not for anyone."
Lois turned and stormed out of the room, her anger palpable. Hal, Malcolm, and Dewey followed, leaving Reese alone with his thoughts. He knew he had won a small victory, but he also knew that the battle was far from over.
As he sat down, his mind raced with the possibilities. He had managed to stand up for himself, but the tension in the house was at an all-time high. He needed to find a way to navigate this new reality, and he knew he couldn't do it alone.
Miss Thompson, the guidance counsellor, approached the principal's office with a sense of urgency. Inside, Principal Herkabe was surrounded by his usual entourage of corrupt colleagues, including the vice principal, who despised Reese even more than Herkabe did. Several teachers were also present, their faces etched with curiosity and concern.
"Principal Herkabe, we need to talk," Miss Thompson said, her voice steady but firm.
Herkabe looked up, his expression one of mild irritation. "What is it, Miss Thompson?"
"It's about Reese Wilkinson," she began, noticing the immediate shift in the room's atmosphere. "He came to see me with his lawyer. They laid out the law regarding his rights to leave school for work experience. Reese has been running a legitimate fashion business for over three years."
The vice principal's face twisted with anger. "Fashion business? That little troublemaker is trying to weasel out of his responsibilities again! We can't let him get away with this."
One of the teachers, Mr. Daniels, frowned. "But if he's within his legal rights, what can we do?"
The room fell silent as the principal and his corrupt buddies exchanged glances. Herkabe finally spoke, his voice cold and calculating. "We need to make an example out of Reese. If we let him get away with this, it sets a dangerous precedent. We need to find a way to undermine his claims and bring him back in line."
The vice principal nodded, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "Agreed. We'll tighten the rules, increase surveillance, and make his life as difficult as possible. We'll find any excuse to penalize him and force him back into the construction program."
Miss Thompson's heart sank, but she knew there was little she could do against the combined might of the principal and his cronies. She had tried to help Reese, but now it seemed the battle was about to get even more intense.
As the meeting concluded, the teachers left the room, their minds racing with the implications of the decisions made. The corrupt administration was determined to crush Reese's spirit, but they underestimated his resilience and determination.
Back at home, Reese sat in his room, unaware of the storm brewing at school. He had taken a stand for his future, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With his fashion business thriving and his newfound confidence, he knew he could overcome any obstacle.
And so, the story of Reese Wilkinson, the resilient and talented young designer, continued. He faced adversity with courage and tenacity, determined to carve out a future on his own terms. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but Reese was ready to meet them head-on, proving to himself and the world that he was more than just a troubled kid—he was a winner.
The End
