There was a meeting with Principal Wells about what happened last night, and honestly, I can't say I'm surprised. Chloe felt the same way; we both knew something like this would happen eventually.
The office felt super quiet, making me wonder if last night was real or just a dream. Rachel was sitting next to me with her parents behind her, while I waited alone for Chloe and Aunt Joyce to arrive.
Then, I hear the door opening, getting me to look over my shoulder. "Ms. Price. How good of you to join us," Principal Wells said, sounding condescending. "I'm sorry I'm late. My shift at the diner ran late," Aunt Joyce replied.
Chloe smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.I couldn't help but smile back. "Alright, let us proceed. Only one of you isn't familiar with the Blackwell disciplinary process. The other is," he started.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words. Seriously, what a condescending jerk. He was judging me right in front of Chloe's parents, which was just embarrassing. When he started talking, I completely tuned him out. I've dealt with this kind of thing before, so it was easy to ignore him.
"Are you even paying attention, Mr. Price?" Wells asked, making me shoot him a glare. "Not really," I replied with a laugh. "Last time we met, a deal fell through. Do you remember that?" he pressed. "Uh, don't fuck- I mean mess this up?" I began, catching myself before I said something worse.
"Causing trouble is just a side effect. The real problem is your disrespectful attitude. We agreed you would commit to being a model Blackwell student," Wells said, and his voice was really starting to annoy me.
"I thought I was doing pretty well," I said confidently, crossing my arms. "Considering your reluctance to improve, we should discuss your place in the academy," Wells replied. I understood his point.
"Are you really going to kick me out?" I asked, still with my arms crossed. Chloe was not happy about this and leaned closer to me. "Are you fucking serious?! That's so unfair!" she shouted at him.
"Let's not talk about fairness, Ms. Price. We'll have a discussion after this," Wells said, his hands together on the desk. I was frustrated because I realized he meant Chloe might get expelled too. "What?! You're kicking Chloe out as well!? That's ridiculous!" I yelled, leaning forward in my chair.
"That's not the right way to talk in this conversation, Mr. Price," Wells remarked. That pushed me over the edge. I was done with this jerk. "Stop with the bullshit, Wells! If you want to talk about what's not appropriate, how about you drinking while working? Go ahead and throw me out; see if I give a rats ass," I snapped, banging my hands on the desk.
"Aiden, that's enough. Calm down," Aunt Joyce said, placing her hand on my shoulder to soothe me. "But Aunt Joyce—" I began. "It was me! I made him do it," Rachel finally spoke up.
We all turned to Rachel when she said that. "It was my idea. I was having a rough day and needed to let off some steam. I went too far," Rachel confessed, avoiding our eyes. "Aiden tried to stop me, telling me I was better than this, but I didn't listen," she continued, her eyes welling up with tears. She really knew how to act.
Aiden was worried that I might get into trouble or hurt, so he decided to come along to keep me safe. "Can you forgive me, Aiden?" she asked with a playful grin while leaning over her chair.
"Sure, I guess," I answered, feeling a bit puzzled. Aunt Joyce then turned to me and asked, "Is that true, Aiden?" I nodded and confirmed, "Yeah, it is."
Wells, leaning against his desk, chimed in, "Mr. Price?" I replied, "Yeah, whatever. It was Rachel's idea, but she didn't kidnap me or anything. I was part of it too," I said with a dismissive laugh.
Wells looked at Ms. Amber and said, "Based on what you've told me, I have the power to punish you. Are you really being honest with me?" His tone was so annoying that I felt like banging my head against the wall. What a dickweed.
Rachel nodded and replied, "Yes." Then her dad jumped in, sounding just as puzzled as I was, "What? That can't be the whole story, Rachel." He even called Wells by his first name, which made me want to throw up.
Wells continued, "Just to clarify, Ms. Amber, are you certain that Aiden Price didn't pressure you or—" but before he could finish, Chloe snapped at him, "Pressure her?"
"Oh, I think you've made it clear, Principal Wells. Someone like Rachel, but not Aiden or Chloe," Aunt Joyce spoke up. "Excuse me?" Wells spat at her. "Do you have a list of students that you assume the worst about? Is Chloe on there too?" Aunt Joyce pressed on. Go Aunt Joyce, twist that knife.
She continued, getting more upset, "You can't treat my daughter and my nephew this way. Is it because they're on financial aid?" Chloe and I exchanged glances, trying not to laugh at the situation.
"Let's all take a breath," Wells said, clearly not paying attention to Aunt Joyce's words. "I'm perfectly calm," I shot back with a hint of sarcasm.
"Considering everything we've faced over the past months and years, you should really be ashamed," Aunt Joyce continued to stand up for Chloe and me. "Ms. Price—" Wells began. "It's MRS. Price," Aunt Joyce interrupted.
"Mrs. Price, I see where you're coming from, but it's really Aiden and your daughter's past actions that have brought us to this point," Wells explained. "I get that, Principal Wells. I know they can do better. But with what we just found out about the bad influences my nephew faced, I really hope you'll give him another chance," Aunt Joyce pleaded, desperate for me to stay in school.
When did Aunt Joyce start to back down like this? "Ms. Amber, I'm honestly surprised and let down by you," Wells said, turning his gaze to Rachel. "I understand," Rachel responded, visibly upset.
"Your first mistake doesn't make it any less serious. We're not suspending you at this moment, but you've definitely lost our trust. You won't be my administrative assistant during first period anymore, and you're out of Blackwell's performance of the Tempest," Wells declared, grabbing my attention.
Oh shit… shit no… Rachel stared down at her lap, on the verge of tears, and it really got under my skin, so I leaned in closer.
"Fuck no! This is bullshit!" I yelled. "Your punishment is still pending, Mr. Price," Wells replied, completely ignoring my frustration. "Ray, she really loves that show. Since this is her first mistake, don't you think—" Rachel's dad chimed in, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Mr. Amber, I don't tell you how to run the DA office, so don't tell me how to run my school," Wells snapped back. "We have understudies for a reason, whether it's an accident or not. I'm sure your understudy—"
"Victoria Chase," Rachel mumbled, still not looking up. "Victoria Chase will step in for tonight's play." I couldn't hold back any longer; this was the last thing Rachel needed. "That is so…" I began, but Wells interrupted me.
"That is so what, Aiden?" he shot back. My frustration was boiling over. There was no way Rachel was going to miss that play. I had to step in. I jumped up from my seat and slammed my hands on his desk. "Get your head out of your ass, Wells!" I yelled, just as Aunt Joyce called out from behind me.
I yelled at him, "You really think it was little miss sunshine's idea to skip school?" Wells replied, "Ms. Amber has taken responsibility for it."
You really don't understand, do you? You can't just wake up one day and throw away your values. That kind of shit builds up over time, I told her. "So, are you saying she's lying?" Wells questioned.
"If you mean I think she's a fantastic fucking actress, then yes, because you fell for all her bullshit," I replied, glancing at her. "It's alright, Aiden, you don't need to do this," Rachel said, clasping her hands together.
"Don't boss me around, sunshine! I'm not one of your groupies," I shot back. "Aiden! What are you doing? Apologize right now," Aunt Joyce said as she approached me. "Fine, I'm sorry for involving her. I would've handled this myself if she wasn't up for it," I said, trying to sound calmer.
"Why say that, Aiden? It doesn't clear Rachel but makes you look worse," Wells said, clearly upset. "Consider this my farewell. I'm done with this oppressive place. This is my way of saying 'screw you' to this school," I stated, locking eyes with him.
"Enough! Rachel, you were obviously trying to protect him. I get why, but I value honesty even more. Do you understand?" Wells said to Rachel, sounding furious.
"Yes, sir," Rachel replied quietly. "And because of that, you won't be removed from the play," Wells said, glancing at Rachel, who looked shocked. "Was that so tough?" I asked, smiling down at Rachel and then at Chloe.
"Thank you," Rachel said. "Mr. Price, I came here planning to suspend you for the rest of the year, with a chance to return in the fall," Wells told me. I slumped back in my chair and sighed.
"And now?" I asked, resting my head on my hand. "You're expelled. And Chloe, since this also reflects on you, especially after what you did to Drew yesterday, you're expelled too," Wells announced. "What? No..." Aunt Joyce said, disappointed.
I felt really bad about what I did, even though I had my reasons. Aunt Joyce worked so hard to keep Chloe and me in this school, but I felt trapped. It was Rachel's idea to skip school, but she shouldn't have been punished by getting kicked out of the play.
"Skip Matthews will take you both to your lockers. Just wait outside for him," Wells told us as we left the office.
"I'm sorry, Aiden," Rachel said, looking guilty. I reassured her, "You don't need to apologize." Then she asked, "Can we meet at the junkyard with Chloe?" I replied, "Sure, I'll see you later," knowing she needed some time alone. She walked away from us.
Chloe looked confused by what the junkyard was. "The junkyard?" she asked. "I'll tell you later," I told her in a whisper. Chloe gave me a nod before she looked over to Aunt Joyce.
"Mom, we-" she started but Aunt Joyce wasn't having it. "I'll see you two in the parking lot," she said coldly. I can't really blame her for lashing out at us like that. I can't help but feel bad for her. Then, Skip walked over to us.
"Hey, you two. I'm supposed to walk both of you out," he said from behind her. Then, we threw away what shit we had in our lockers before walking out to the parking lot.