7 Summers

Chapter 6 - Tucker Cole Johnson (2022)

"Amelia Warren and Tucker Johnson, please report to the principal's office." The front desk lady spoke over the intercom.

"Goddammit," Amelia got up. "Let's go."

"Wait, why am I being called to the principal's office?" I get up too. "I mean, I get you, you seem like trouble. But this is my first day. I didn't do anything!"

"Well, we'll find out when we get there. C'mon." She takes my hand in hers and leads me to the principal's office, but halfway there, she shakes my hand off.

"Yuck, you're so sweaty." She turns around to wipe her hand on my shirt, then starts walking again.

"Yeah? Well, so are you." And I wipe my hand on the back of her shirt, and she scoffs.

We made it to the principal's office, Mrs. Hardy.

"Hey Debbie." She rolls a seat out for me, then sits down in another one.

"You're on a first name basis with the principal?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Yep," she smirks. "Debbie and I go way back." She glances at Mrs. Hardy.

"You usually come alone, but I see you've dragged a friend into trouble this time." Mrs. Hardy glances at me.

"I didn't drag him into anything. It's all Mrs. Bad's fault."

"It's always Mrs. Bad's fault, isn't it?" Mrs. Hardy rolls her eyes playfully. "What happened this time? I heard you were tardy for the 8th time this week. How'd you add an extra day to the calendar?!"

Amelia and Mrs. Hardy laugh and continue to joke with each other, and I get more and more flabbergasted at how Amelia is so casually talking with the principal, even though she's technically in trouble.

After about 20 minutes of their conversation, Mrs. Hardy finally says that we should go back to class.

"Second block is about to start. And Tucker, I'd suggest you steer clear from Amelia. She's been trouble since birth." She winks at me.

"Oh, come on Debbie. Quit ruining my reputation!" Amelia laughs as we leave the office.

"You and Debbie go way back?" I ask when we get to the stairs.

"Oh yeah. Way back. I've known her since birth. She and my mom have been best friends since elementary." Amelia explains.

"Damn," I say, still stunned. "You're an interesting character, Amelia."

"You haven't seen anything yet." She winks, and swings around the turn back to Mrs. Badacock's classroom.

♦♢♦

"Tucker!" I hear a girl's voice call from behind me while I'm standing by the self checkouts in case any customer needs help. It's 7:48, which means my shift is almost over, but I might have to extend that if someone wants me to do something.

I turn around and see an unfamiliar blonde girl wearing a Food Lion uniform and name tag that says "TIFFANY" in dark letters.

"Yeah?"

"Jenny says you can go home, I'll take it from here." She smiles at me.

"Oh, alright." I start to walk away, but Tiffany stops me.

"Wait!" I turn back around.

"Are you new here?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah. I just moved from Tennessee."

"Cool, I'm Tiffany Hardy." She extends her hand for me to shake and I shake it.

"Wait, are you related to the principal of Wyndham Oaks?"