Growing up

Suspensions and exceptions

*Alex POV*
I wake up and grab clothes. I go to the bathroom and change. I go back into my dorm and my roommate is awake.
"Good morning. I'm Alexandra but I prefer to be called Alex" I say
"I'm Jailin but prefer to be called J" she says
"Cool" I say
"Wait you like anthem lights? I'm a huge fan of them" she says
"Sort of. I'm actually the sister of Chad" I say
"No way is that a poster of you and the guys" she asks
"Yeah the wives gave it to me as a going away gift" I say
'That's awesome. So what are you at college for" she asks
"Football I'm a quarterback. What about you" I ask
"Music" she says
"What I strum wants do you play" I ask
"Guitar, drum, piano, violin, and somewhat the clarinet and tenor sax" she says
"Cool maybe I should invite you to meet the guys at some point" I say
"Really you would" she asks
"Of course. They would be glad to know I have a friend since I've been homeschooled and have a hard time making friends." I say
"Well I have to get to class. When do you start" she asks
"Well I don't have classes till tomorrow but I have practice today in like three hours" I say
"Ok well I'll see you soon" she says
"Bye" I say
She leaves an my laptop makes noise. I open the screen and see a face time call from Chad.
"Hey Chad" I say
"Hey sis how's it going there" he asks
"Ok. My roommate is a fan of you guys" I say
"Is she an annoying fan" he asks
"No she's cool" I say
"Ok well the guys are out getting lunch" he says
"Chad it's only 10:30. Don't you think it's a little early for lunch" I ask
"No not really" he says
"We're baaack" I hear Caleb yell
"Shut up Grimmy" I say
"Alex!!! Move Chad I need to say hi to my favorite person in the band" Caleb says
"She's not in the band" Chad says
"Yes she is. Didn't you hear she's the new alto" Joey says
"Joe" I say
"Hey Alex how's it going" he says
"Good where's Alan" I ask
"Um well you see when I pushed Chad away he stumbled into Alan so they both fell over and they're now wrestling" Caleb says
"Alan, Chad stop wrestling" I say
"Alex zip it your brother was about to lose" Caleb whines
"Oh well" I say
"Hey little Al" Alan says
"Hey big Al" I say
"Alex I've become Chad's punching bag now that you aren't here" Joey says
"Joey you've always been his punching bag but he prefers to wrestle someone who could actually beat him" I say
"Ooh that must of hurt Joe. Would you like some ice for that" Caleb asks
"No but can I have a bag of cash so I can knock some sense into you" Joey says
"Sorry but I haven't had the chance to stop by the bank" Caleb says
"Boys boys your both pretty but Chad is my favorite" I say
"Yas" Chad says
"Hurtful" the others say
"Well I better get ready for practice see ya" I say
"Bye Alex love you" they yell
"Bye" I laugh
I end the chat and shut my laptop off. I grab my football practice clothes and leave my dorm. I go to the girls locker room and change. I go outside to the football field.
"Oh Alex Graham I see you found the locker room fine" the coach says
"Yes I have. Where's everyone else" I ask
"They should be out here soon. Why don't you start your laps. Do five" he says
I start running. I finish all my laps and they still aren't out.
"Coach is it the fact that I'm a girl and they don't want to play football with me" I ask
"Hold on I'll be right back" he says
*Coach POV*
I go to the boys locker room and go in. I see all the guys sitting there changed.
"What are you doing in here it's time for practice" I say
"Is she out there" one of them asks
"Yes she is and she's the starting quarterback. If any of you have a problem with playing with a girl raise your hand" I say
They all raise their hands.
"Well what do you want me to do" I ask
"Kick her off the team" one says
"I can't do that. Only the headmaster of the school can" I say
"Ok lets go Travis and Ryan. We're visiting the headmaster" Tyler says
*Headmaster POV*
My door swings open and three football players walk through. They close the door and sit in the chairs across from my desk.
"May I help you" I ask
"Yeah so there's a girl on our football team and none of us guys will play with her on our team" the ring leader says
"Well what do you want me to do about that" I say
"Kick her off the team. Kick her out of the school something" he says
"You three do realize I need a reason to kick her out" I say
"We saw her smoking in the hallways and saw smoke coming out of the girls locker room" he says
"Ok thank you you may return to practice I will talk with her." I say
They leave and a few minutes later a girl in a football uniform walks in. She sits down across from my desk.
"I've got word that you were smoking in the halls and in the locker rooms. Is that correct" I ask
"No" she says
"Is that correct don't lie to me" I say sternly
"It isn't. They guys just don't want to play football with me because I'm a girl" she says
"I'm sorry but I'm not sure who to believe so I'm suspending the whole football team for a week" I say
"Ok" she says
She gets up and walks out.
*Alex POV*
I go down to the locker room and change into my clothes. I go up to my dorm and put my uniform away. I pull my phone out and send Chad a text.
A-I need you to come pick me up from college. Something happened. I'll explain in the car
C-ok I'll be there in twenty
I go downstairs and outside to wait for him. He pulls up and I hop in. I break down crying. He drives home. When he stops the car I try to get out but he won't let me.
"What happened Alex" he asks
"The guys don't want to play football with a girl so they told the headmaster I was smoking. When I told her I wasn't she thought I was lying so suspended the whole football team for a week. Chad that isn't going to help the guys still won't want me on the team" I say
"Hey sis it's going to be okay. When the week is over I'll go back with you and talk with the coach and headmaster. We'll do it together" he says
"Thanks Chaddy you're the best" I say
"I know I am" he says
He wipes my tears away and we get out bee go inside and the guys are here.
"Hey Alex you ok" Joey asks
"I guess" I say
"Why don't you come tell your besties what happened" Caleb says
I laugh and sit down with them. I explain all that happened.
"Ok tomorrow us five are going down there and talking with the headmaster because we all know that you would never do that" Caleb says
"Caleb I'm suspended for a week" I say
"So I'm at least going so you can join me if you want" he says
"I'll go" I sigh
"Alex you don't have to" Joey says
"No I will" I say
"Ok then it's set all five of us will go there tomorrow" Caleb says
"Well I'm tired so I'm going to sleep" I say
"It's only 1:30" Chad says
"Well I'm tired" I say
I go upstairs to my room and lay down. I start crying. After a few minutes I hear a knock at
My door.
"Who is it" I call
"Joey. You okay darling" he asks
"Yeah" I say
He walks in and sits on my bed.
"Alex I've known you ever since you were little do you really think I believe that" he asks
"Yes" I say
"Well I don't" he says
"Zzzzz I'm sleeping" I mumble
He starts poking my side and I squeal.
"How did you know I was ticklish there" I ask
"Again I've known you since you were little. I WAS your favorite" he says
"Don't worry Joe your tied as second favorite" I say
"Who am I tied with" he asks
"Caleb and Alan" I say
"Ok well now that we have that dealt with can you tell me what's wrong" he asks
"Ever since I've wanted to do football and joined the community team guys on the teams have tried to kick me off. I regret ever wanting to do football. I wish I chose to do something else" I say
"Alex look at me" Joey says
"I can't" I say
He grabs me sits me up and makes me look at him.
"Yees?" I ask
"Alex God gave you the talent to play football. You can't let the boys on the team drag you don't. Women can do things that men can. People aren't judged by their talent, looks, intelligence, or style but they should be judged based on their heart, personality, attitude, and actions. And the only person who is even qualified to judge is God. So if there are people judging you forget them and remember God sees you as perfect and right in His eyes" he says
I look down with tears in my eyes.
"Hey don't cry" Joey says
"Sorry what you said was really emotional" I say
He takes his thumb and wipes my tears away. I smile at him. Chad walks in and grabs my hand. He drags me downstairs.
"What do you want Chad" I ask
"You ok" he asks
"Yeah. Joey talked to me about it and helped" I say
"Ok" he says
"See ya we're heading out" the guys say
"Bye" I say
They each kiss the top of my head and leave.
"You have them wrapped around your finger don't you" Chad asks
"Maybe" I say
He shakes his head and does something on his phone. He places it in the table and grabs my hand. The song for love you like the movies starts.
"Miss Alexandra Graham may I have this dance" Chad asks
"Of course you can Mister Chadwick Graham" I say
He takes my hand and we start to dance. Once that song if over I grab his phone and play help you stand. We continue to dance and goof around till we get through all the songs. We finish and hear clapping. We turn around and the ladies are standing there.
"Please tell us you just got here" Chad and I ask
"Nope we've been here from the beginning. We sent the guys videos." Kelsey says
"Ugh" we say
"What" Brycie asks
"We're never going to hear the end of it. The guys are going to walk in on..." Chad starts
"1...2...3...4...5..." we say
The guys walk in gasping for air.
"Did all three of you really run from Caleb's house" Chad asks
"Isn't it easier to drive" I say
"No we had to get here quickly" Caleb says
"You two should enter in a dancing competition together. You're really good" Joey says
"No way" we say, "we were just fooling around"
"Ooh that's a great idea. Lets go ladies we're signing these two up for a dancing competition" Kelsey says
"We're coming with" the guys say
They leave and we sit on the couch.
"There's no way getting out of this" I say
"Nope there isn't" he says
A few hours later of just flipping through the channels they all walk in.
"Ok we signed you two up for a dance off in two days" Caleb says
"What do you mean a dance off" I ask
"We mean you dance until they say you're out and they change songs so you have to dance to the beat of the song" Joey says
"Ugh. Ok well I'm going to bed" I say
"Goodnight" everyone says
"I'll most likely kill you in the morning" I hear chad say
I laugh to myself and go upstairs. I lay down in bed and fall asleep instantly.
////////////////////////////////////
I wake up around 8:30 and get dressed. I go downstairs and the guys are here already.
"Guys you don't have to do this. I can wait till the week is over" I say
"Too bad" Caleb says
"We want to do this love so eat breakfast so we can leave" Joey says
"Alright chill down" I say
"There's a breakfast sandwich in the microwave just hear it for 20 seconds" Chad says
"Ok thanks bub" I say
I go into the kitchen and heat up my breakfast. Once it's done I take it out and go to the living room.
"Ok everybody in Chad's van" Caleb says
We all get in and I sit up front next to Chad. He starts the car and drives off towards my college. I finish eating and turn the radio on.
"Oh are you two ready for the dance off tomorrow" Caleb asks
"Sure" I say
"Well there's no way getting out of it" Chad says
"Oh it's not going to be that bad" Joey says
"It could be" I say
"My sis is right" Chad says
"Alright hush it all of you look we're all most there" Alan says
We get there and all get out bee walk inside and to the office.
"How may I help you" the secretary asks
"We're here to talk to head master White" Chad says
"She's just finishing up with a student please wait" the secretary says
I lean my head on Chad's shoulder and he kisses the top of my head. The secretary motion for us and we go into the headmasters office.
"Miss Graham what are you doing back? Suspension isn't over until Wednesday" mrs. White says
"Excuse me mam but I'm her brother and well these are also her brothers but we would like to know why she was suspended" Chad says
"She was smoking in the hallways and in the girls locker room" she says
"Did someone say they've seen her" Joey asks
"Yes some boys on the football team" she says
"Alex was there ever anyone else in the locker room when you were in there" Alan asks
"Yeah there was the full cheer team" I say
"Can you ask one or two of the cheerleaders to come down here" Caleb asks
We wait a few minutes then a girl walks through.
"Oh my gosh you guys are Anthem Lights. What are you doing here" the girl asks
"Samantha" Mrs. White says
"Yes" Samantha asks
"Was this girl ever smoking in the girls locker room" head mater asks
"No. She would always change quickly then get out" Samantha says
"Thank you now leave" Mrs. White says
Samantha leaves and we turn back around.
"What about the halls" Mrs. White asks
"I wasn't. Please just believe me. I would never want to smoke." I say
"Alright I'm cutting your suspension. Your teachers will be expecting you Monday" she says
We thank her then leave. We get in the van and I let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Thanks guys" I say
"No problem" Alan says
We get back home and go inside.
"Chad tomorrow would've been mom and dad's 25th wedding anniversary" I say
"And tomorrow marks the 6th year they've been dead" he sighs
"I was trying to forget that" I say
"But it's impossible" he says
"Wow I didn't realize it was the day of their anniversary that they died" Alan says
"It was. They were coming back from lunch when a drunk driver ran a red light and basically crushed the car. The driver was driving a truck" Chad says
"Alex don't cry" Caleb says
I bury my face into Chad's chest and try not to cry loudly.
"Ssh sis it will be alright" he says
*Chad POV*
The guys quietly get up and leave. I calm Alex down and she looks at me.
"It will be alright. Why don't you invite Peyton over for dinner" I ask
"I want to be alone for a little bit. Can you call him for me" she asks
"Of course sis. Dinner will be in about four or five hours" I say
She goes upstairs nod I pull my phone out to call Peyton.
P-hey Chad what's up
C-hey I was wondering if you wanted to join us for dinner. Alex has been down lately and I think part of it is because she misses you
P-sure. I have something to ask you anyway. Actually you and the other three
C-ok I'll invite them as well for dinner
I hang up and text the guys.
Ch-come over for dinner. Peyton wants to ask us a question
Ca-ok
A-okie dokie
J-what are we having
Ch-food
J- that doesn't answer my question
Ch-meatloaf
J-I'm in
I put my phone away and head to the kitchen. I grab the stuff I need and start making dinner. A few hours letter the door opens.
"We're here" I hear Caleb say
I go into the living room and find Joey already on the couch watching tv.
"Really" I ask
"What I was watching the little mermaid then Caleb dragged me out of my house" Joey says
"How many times have you watched this movie" Caleb asks
"I don't know I lost count at 100" Joey says
There's a knock at the door and I open it. Peyton is standing there.
"You do realize you don't have to knock" I say
"Where's Alex" he asks
"In her room." I say
*Peyton POV*
"Ok I'll go check on her after I talk with you guys. Can I ask the question now" I ask
"Of course lets go to the living room" Alan says
We go to the living room and sit down.
"Peyton" I hear someone yell
I turn around and see Chase.
"How's my favorite three year old" I ask
"Good" he says
"Hey bubba why don't you go help mommy finish up dinner" chad says
"Ok dada. Bye Peyton" Chase says
I wave to him and he runs off. I ask the guys my question and they ponder on it. A few minutes later Chad gives me an answer.
"Yes. I know you really care about her and you asked all four of us because you know how much we care for her so yes" he says
"What about you three" I ask
"Yes" Alan says
"Yeah" Caleb says
"Yeah but don't let us down" Joey says
"I won't thank you guys so much" I say
"Dinner is ready" Fallon calls
"Ok guys go to the table Peyton can you go check on Alex and tell her dinner is ready" Chad says
"Yeah" I say
I go upstairs and to Alex's room. I go in and she's asleep with tear stained cheeks. I sit on the edge of her bed and shake her gently.
"Alex it's time to wake up dinner is ready" I say
She opens her eyes and sits up.
"Hey Peyton" she yawns
"Hey darling" I say
"What time is it" she asks
"Around 6:30" I say
"What's wrong" I ask
"Chad and I just remembered that tomorrow is our parents anniversary which also marks the 6th year since they died" she says
"I'm sorry. Come on let's go eat dinner then we can watch some movies with the guys, Chase, and Fallon" I say
"I'm not hungry but you go eat then we can watch some movies" she says
"Please come down and eat" I beg
"No Peyton. I'll be fine" she says
"Ok" I say
I leave her room and go downstairs. I go to the dining room and sit down.
"Where's Alex" Chad asks
"She said she wasn't hungry" I say
"Ok well lets jut pray then I'll go talk to her" he says
Alan prays and everyone starts eating.
*Chad POV*
I grab Alex's plate and put some food on it no grab some silver ware and my plate and head upstairs. I knock on Alex's door farm with my foot then go in. I put the plates on her desk and sit down next to her.
"Get your shoes off my bed please" she says
I take my shoes off and put my feet back on her bed.
"What's wrong sis? You never skip my meatloaf" I say
"I'm too sad to eat" she says
"Hey sis you know all those trophies in mom and dads room" I ask
"Yeah" she says
"Those are their dancing trophies. Tomorrow just think about dancing for them. Don't worry about competing or being sad. Think about having fun and dancing for them" I say
"But I'm still sad right now" she says
"Fine then I guess I won't save you a piece of apple crumb pie" I say
"Oh boy who made it" she asks
"Fallon" I say
"I want some" she says
"I thought you were too sad to eat anything. You have to eat your dinner if you want dessert" I say
"Fine" she says
I hand her a plate nod I grab the other one. I pray and we begin eating. Once we're done we go downstairs an place our plates on the sink. Alex give me a quick hug then we go to the dining room. I sit down next Fallon and Alex sits next to me.
"Look who's here. Chad how did you get her to eat" Caleb asks
"I threatened to not leave her a piece of Fallon's apple crumb pie" I say
"Chad I never got the chance to make one" Fallon whispers in my ear
"Oh well at least I got Alex to eat" I whisper back
"Whispering means secrets and secrets are not nice. Share with everyone" Joey says
"Neh" I say
"Daddy" Chase says
"Yes bubba" I say
"Can I have cookies" he asks
"You have to finish eating" I say
"But Aunt Alex said I could have some" He says
"Did she" I ask
"No I didn't. I said he had to ask you" Alex says
"Daddy I done cookie now" Chase asks
"Yeah Joe wants cookies as well" Joey says
"Ooh ooh don't forget about Caleb" Caleb says
"Did you all finish eating" I ask
"Yes" they say
"Joey you still have broccoli on your plate no cookies for you" I say
"Haha" Caleb says
"No cookies for Caleb either because he made fun of Joey" I say
I get up and pick Chase up. I go to the kitchen and give him a cookie.
"Go to the dining room and wave this in front of Uncle Joey and Uncle Caleb's face then take a bite" I say
"Ok" he says
He runs into the finding room and I follow behind. He waves it in their face then takes a bite. He does it till the cookies gone.
"Not fair" Joey says
"Eat your broccoli then maybe daddy will give you one Uncle Joey" Chase says
"What about me" Caleb asks
"Can you take me to chick fil a" Chase asks
"Why" Caleb asks
"Because I want more dessert and daddy said you're the one who will give me treats" Chase says
"Nope I think it's time for you mister to go to bed" Fallon says
She swoops him up and walks over to me. I kiss Chase's cheek and then peck Fallon on the lips.
"I'm going to head to bed" she says
"Ok night" I say
Those two go upstairs then the guys leave.
"Alex I'm going to head out I probably won't see you again till your first football game" Peyton says
"Ok bye" she says
He leaves and she turns to me.
"Yes" I ask
"Where's the pie" she asks
"Fallon didn't get the chance to make it. But I did make my brownies that you like" I say
"Ooh ok those are really good" she says
I give her a brownie and grab one for myself. We eat our brownies then go upstairs. I get in bed and drift off to sleep.
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Hey everybody I hope you are enjoying this book. I'm not sure how long to keep it going so give me your thoughts. I would appreciate it. Enjoy the last of 2015 and have a great 2016.
Megan😎