It Started With a Pencil

Chapter Twelve

I've come to the conclusion that I might not be the best student in the world. Teachers would know me as a walking, talking caution sign saying "This little shit is nothing but trouble and is going nowhere in life." I don't blame them however; I know how mediocre I am. I sort of embrace it actually, I mean the world needs some odd balls here and there right? Not everyone can be a doctor or a lawyer or find a solution against climate change. Yet what do we people get? Absolute shit. We get judged with the label of the person who's completely confused with their goals, we end up without money and unable to pay for bills and we can't get a job because of that.

Oh, and of course, we end up with detention.

I looked around my surroundings and sighed in exasperation. Christian, on my left, was sitting there with a straight expression on his face, his back leaned on the seat comfortably as if he was used to this entire thing by now. To my right, Jace blankly stared at his untouched homework which was due in a hour. Right beside him sat Hayley, she was hunched over, flushed and anxiously chewing on a pencil. We were the only four here, other than the principal of course.

Mr. Dixon stared at us, particularly at the boys with a cold expression. He wanted to appear authoritative and dominant from them. "So," he said and cleared his throat. He leaned in to his desk and smiled at us. "How did we all end up here?" He questioned and folded his hands onto the desk.

Everyone stayed quiet. Jace and Christian wanted to show defiance and control, meanwhile Hayley just seemed to shook to vocalize English words. "Long story short, Ms Moore is incredibly dramatic and unreasonable." I spoke up.

Mr. Dixon looked at me and chuckled. "If you don't mind, can I ask how your dad reacted when he found out you got yourself in detention?"

I scratched my head uncomfortably. "Yeah, not so excited." I responded. This time, my mom didn't even let my dad come yell at me about it. Instead, me and her had a nice hour long chat about how my father was strongly upset, and she didn't even go into specifics.

The principal kissed his teeth and shook his head. "Oh Reece, what a hypocrite. I went to college with him, shared a dorm actually. He was always getting himself into bigger problems." He said and smiled brightly at memories.

"See, you get it!" I pointed out. Even my principal knew how unreasonable my dad was to react over something so small. That was saying something.

Mr Dixon darted his eyes back and forth at the boys and his smile slowly faded. "I'm suspecting you two did something stupid." He assumed. Christian smirked at his statement and shrugged lightly. The principal and he had a stare-off until Mr Dixon turned away, seeing there was no point to even bother with Christian, and brought his attention to Hayley. He smiled calmly, hoping it would relax her. "Ms. Allens, an honors student, a helpful member of the community, what do I owe the pleasure?"

Hayley dropped the pencil that was in her mouth. She turned to me then back to the principal. "I-I um-" She stuttered, constantly opening and closing her mouth until she finally decided to keep her mouth shut.

The principal nodded in understanding and decided to let her be. "It's okay Ms. Allens, this is your first time getting detention, you're a good kid, you'll be fine. This won't affect you or your record in any way okay?" He reassured. Hayley nodded slowly in fear and went back to munching on the pencil. Mr. Dixon looked at us all and nodded. "I'm going to go for a conference now, you four stay here. I've got teachers walking out and about behind these doors, if they see any of you wandering the halls there will be further and more severe consequences. Have I made myself clear?" He asked clearly, specifying more towards the boys than Hayley and I. We all nodded and looked over at each other. The principal gave us one last look and exited slowly from the library.