Colide

chapter four

Jack peered out of the window as Patti drove her car through the driveway. His eyes popped open in astonishment. "Mom, you've got to come see this!"

"Jack, I'm busy," his mom's voice rang out from the kitchen.

"Come see, it's important!"

Mrs. Lockwood stormed out of the kitchen. "You better not be showing me something stupid."

Jack moved aside for her to peer out the window. A shocked gasp escaped her lips. "What the hell happened?" she cried as Patti walked into the house.

"I'm sorry," Patti sobbed.

"Sorry? What happened?"

"Some mean kid did that to my car because I was in his spot," Patti explained in tears.

"Wow," Jack mumbled, staring out of the window. "Two days and you already have haters."

"Shut up, Jack," Mrs. Lockwood rolled her eyes at him. "Mom, I promise I'll fix it. Please don't be mad," Patti pleaded.

"It's not your fault, and how do you intend to fix it? I should follow you to school tomorrow and have that boy punished."

Patti didn't think her mom coming to school would help in any way. She was pretty sure nothing was going to be done, just like nothing had been done about the letters. "I already reported him and they said he'll pay for the damages," Patti lied.

"He better pay, 'cause I ain't got money for repairs. I spent so much on that damn car and it's not even new!"

"See why you should have given it to me instead?" Jack said.

Patti went up to her room, Pinky waiting by the door for her as usual, but Patti was in no mood to play. Her day had been terrible; she'd been threatened and her car was ruined. Collapsing onto the bed, Patti knew her mom wasn't going to pay for the repairs, and neither was Ethan. She had to find a way to pay for it herself, but she had no money.

"Hey," Lisa popped her head into the room. Lisa was just returning from one of her multiple part-time jobs, and she looked stressed as she came over to sit on the bed beside Patti. "I saw your car. What happened?"

Patti took a deep breath, turning to face Lisa. "Promise me you won't say anything to Mom or Jack."

"Promise. What is it?"

Patti swallowed hard and then narrated everything that had happened, starting from the doll with pins to her ruined car. By the time she was done, Lisa was staring speechlessly at her.

"Don't look at me like that. I am confused. If Mom finds out Ethan isn't paying a dime for my ruined car, she's going to be mad."

"Oh my goodness. You know what, give me his address and I'll bring you his head," Lisa said, marveling Patti with her ability to say something so funny with such a serious face.

Lisa sighed. "Maybe I could find a part-time job for you."

"Would you? I'd appreciate it," Patti said, delightedly. She hugged Lisa. "You are a lifesaver. It's so bad you fell in love with a loser."

Lisa laughed.

---

Absolutely, let's refine that part for clarity and impact:

---

Patti arrived at school the following day to the news that the dean was looking for her. Having barely slept, she was anxious about what awaited her. With a deep breath, Patti made her way to the dean's office. She knocked on the door, and almost immediately, the voice of the dean invited her in.

"Good morning, Mrs. Gray," Patti greeted nervously as she stepped into the room.

Mrs. Gray looked up from her desk. "Good morning, Patti. Please, have a seat."

Patti sat down, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't help but wonder what this was about.

"There has been a report concerning the attitude you displayed yesterday," the dean started. "You ruined Mr. Lee's car."

"That's because he ruined mine first," Patti said defensively.

"Then you should have reported it instead of retaliating. I'm afraid I'll have to take this against you."

"But why? I only did what he did to me," Patti said, her voice taut.

"Miss Lockwood, there were witnesses. They testified against you, saying you threatened Mr. Lee and then ruined his car."

"Threatened?" Patti almost laughed, but the reality of the situation stung too much for humor.

"There is even a video," the dean continued.

"I am being accused wrongly," Patti reiterated.

"Don't raise your voice, Miss Lockwood."

"I'm not...," Patti said, turning her face as tears began to gather in her eyes. This wasn't fair. They were taking Ethan's side and shoving aside the fact that she was the main victim.

"Miss Lockwood, since this is your first mistake at Willow High, I have decided not to give you severe punishment, but a light one. You will have to serve a week cleaning the nanutoriom and write an apology letter to Mr. Lee."

"This is unfair," Patti said, her voice breaking with emotion. " Why do I have to be punished, "

" I do not wish to prolong this matter, you will do as you are told or we might consider calling your parent in, I am sure you wouldn't want that now, miss Lockwood,"
Patti was speechless, she nodded her head.
"You may take your leave now, Miss Lockwood," the dean concluded, her tone final.

Patti reluctantly left the dean's office, unable to believe she was being punished. Ethan had ruined her car first, and yet she was the one facing consequences.

"Hey," Patti looked up from where she stood outside the dean's office, and there was Ethan.

"You shouldn't have done that," he said with an evil smirk. "You ruined my baby."

"You ruined my car first," Patti snapped, her voice filled with pain and tears. Although she hated that she was being punished, she didn't regret whatever she did to Ethan car, and if she had a chance she would do worse, but not just to his car, but his face.

"Listen here," Ethan leaned forward, he was a good inch taller than her, and he had a crisp, clean scent that complements his confident and cool demeanor.
" anyone who goes against me pays. Believe me, this is nothing compared to what I am going to do to you. You will come to me on your knees."

"No, I won't," Patti said, dabbing at her tears. She wasn't going to give this jerk the satisfaction of seeing her weak. "Do all you want, but I'll never go on my knees in front of you. Never."

She walked away from him, her shoulders straight and her head held high. His cold gazes on her back til she was out of sight.

---