Soulmates and Exceptions #Wattys2016

School

A/N: I had no idea that there would be such a naked-looking boy band singer in the image when I pasted the link, even if I'm 99% sure he's wearing pants... If there's any concerns, it's a safe video. It's just the Backstreet Boys.

      Brea thought back to how certain she was of becoming friends with them. She still couldn't believe how she became even more determined to remain their friend once school started. She watched Jackson and Spencer trying to see who could make the bigger splash in the pool. Jackson caught her glance, gave a goofy grin and waved. She waved back. She would happily go through all of the bad memories from school again, if it meant she could stay friends with the boys forever. It wasn't just her, though. Her parents had their own risks by befriending Michael.

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      Before the three knew it, they were heading back to school. The good moods of the two younger members of the trio were to be short-lived. Their parents were called in to get them before lunch was over on the first day.

      "This isn't the first time we've had problems like this with Spencer, Mr. Thomas." The principal reminded Michael.

      "I didn't do it this time Dad! I promise!" Spencer spoke up.

      "Then why did your teacher need to pull you off of the new student? And why did she have a bloody nose?" She looked towards the boy's hands. "You're hands have blood on them."

      "I was pulling Brea off a kid." He looked towards his father, his bright, hazel eyes pleading for mercy. "Dad! You got to believe me! Some kid said something to Brea and she got really mad and hit him! He hit her back harder! I didn't want her to get hurt!"

      "Mr. Thomas, that's not what the other students told my staff."

      A voice at the door interrupted the conversation. "I know with whom she is meeting with, and I will go in there." Rose opened the door. "Pardon me, but I do believe that my daughter and I need to be a part of this conversation." She took a seat and pointed out the empty seat next to Spencer for her daughter to take.

      "Mrs. Sanders? Rose Preston." She offered her hand to the administrator. "Michael, nice to see you. I'm sorry it's about this."

      "Mrs. Preston..."

      "Before you start blaming this boy right here, I want you to get your facts right. Gabriella, why don't you tell Mrs. Sanders what you told me?"

      Still holding a cloth to her nose, Brea told everyone her side of the story. "Spence and I were eating our lunch when Jordan came over to us and starting being a jerk."

      "He told Brea that if she hung out with me she'd be unmatchable!" Spencer interjected. "She told him to back off, but he and his friends kept teasing her. That's when she tried to punch him."

      "I think I hit him." Boasted Brea.

      "He hit you harder." Spencer noted to his friend. "You should work on that."

      "So, Spencer didn't hit you?" Mrs. Sanders looked at the pair, not truly convinced.

      "Ma'am, you've been in this room, trying to explain to me how my son hurt, as you said, 'The new student,' – who is clearly his friend - but you won't believe her when she tells you what happened?" Michael questioned.

      The look on the principal's face told Rose everything she needed to know about Michael's previous dealing with the school administration. If there was trouble, Spencer was usually guilty regardless. Now that her daughter was not only in his class but also his good friend...It was going to be a long school year. "Spencer did nothing wrong and will not be punished. Gabriella has admitted to hitting the boy first, and should be given a punishment to reflect that. I expect that the other student will be disciplined for punching my daughter."