The Same Mistakes Club

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"What's Wrong?"  I said the second I got inside the office.

"You tell us,"  Mum replied.  "Mr. Cook called us in and said that it's important.  Your father had to cancel a few appointments to make this."

I was confused.  I stared at my parents and could tell they were mad.  "I don't know."  I hadn't cheated.  I hadn't been late to class.  My grades, which had always been good, had been getting even better this year....

The door to the principal's office opened and Principal Cook stepped out and motioned for us to come in.  As we walked into his faux-wood-paneled office covered in photos and trophies from his glory days, I felt my pulse start to race.

"My apologies for calling you both in on such short notice."  He motioned to my parents.  "But we're having a problem with Alissa that's starting to get out of hand.  I'm not sure if you're aware of this little club that Alissa has started."

WHAT?

"Of course we are," Mum said.  "They meet at our house every Saturday night.  Great bunch of girls."

Principal Cook shifted in his seat.  "Well, it's causing some problems at school."

It is?

"It is?"  Dad asked.  "What kind of problems?"

Principal Cook straightened his tie.  "Dr. and Mrs. Madison, the problem is that Alissa is using her unfortunate experiences to turn the rest of the female population against the males at this school."

I was dumbfounded.  "The Club isn't about that!"

Principal Cook put his hand up to silence me.

"Now, I'm sorry that Alissa can't find a boyfriend -"

"Excuse me!"  Mum protested.

Principal Cook held up his hands again.  "My apologies.  I meant to say that I don't really think it's appropriate for Alissa to be pushing her ideals on the rest of the female student body, especially the impressionable freshman class."

"Hold on,"  Mum started.  "Alissa has created an amazing group of friends.  There is no hidden agenda except to spend time with her friends without the pressures of dating.  Mr. Cook, you know how messy high school romances can get.  I'm surprised you aren't encouraging this."  I looked at my mother and saw that her cheeks were flushed.  This was going to be good.

"Mrs. Madison, I am not going to sit here and allow one girl to start running the school.  Alissa is getting way too much power at this school.  Her influence with the female population is getting a little out of control."

Mum started to tap her foot impatiently.  "And I suppose you don't have a problem with the fact that, just because some jock can throw a ball far, the entire male population worships him?  Let me ask you a question, Mr. Cook.  Have any of the Club members gotten in trouble for anything?"

"Well, technically no.  But her little club is unsanctioned by the school, therefore -"

"Therefore,"  Mum cut him off,  "it really isn't any of your business."

Principal Cook cleared his throat.  "Therefore, you can understand the problem, that something not authorised by the school should not be encouraged by the school.  I cannot allow this to continue."

Mum held her hands to her lap impatiently.  "Excuse me, Mr. Cook, but have Alissa's grades slipped at all?"

"No..."

"In fact, her grades have actually improved last semester, haven't they?"

He started to flip through my thin file.  "I guess."

"So, Alissa has done nothing wrong, the Club is not affecting her grades, and the Club is meeting off school grounds.  Am I correct?"

"Technically -"

"Well, then I don't see what the problem is."

"The problem is, Mrs. Madison" - Principal Cook's face was explosive - "that after that article came out in the Isabelling Weekly News, a lot of the males at this school have been complaining.  Not only that, but I've received some troubling reports from my Student Advisory Committee."

Wait, Gab wouldn't...

"Nothing has happened yet, but that doesn't mean that it won't.  This spells trouble - T-R-O-U-B-L-E."

Mum got up. "Well, I don't really give an S-H -"

"Rebecca."  Dad finally spoke.  He got up and put his hand on her shoulder.  Mr. Cook relaxed considerably, probably hoping that my dad would agree with him.

"Thank you, Dr. Madison."

"Alissa Elizabeth,"  Dad said, "we're leaving, let's go.  And, Mr. Cook, I'm sure you won't argue that we're going to take Alissa with us, as I really don't think it's fair for her to have to stay here today after the way you insulted her."

Dad grabbed his coat.  I just stared at him.

"And, Mr. Cook, as Alissa's parents, we encourage this, as you call it, 'little' club.  What she has done is wonderful, and you should be putting her picture on the wall instead of chastising her.  We couldn't be prouder."

Mum hugged me and kissed me on the forehead.  "Let's go, kiddo.  Grab your stuff."