One Last Hope

Twelve

"The four of you get a three-day suspension. You're lucky that Jennifer has convinced me not to expell all of you. Especially you, Mr. Harris." The school principal scolded Mikaylee, Tom, Macie, and Penny. 

"Why me?" Tom questioned.

"Oh, please, Mr. Harris. Don't make me tell your friends about the underwear incident." 

"Hey, I was in the second grade, alright?" Tom got defensive. 

"What's the underwear incident?" Kaylee wanted to hear his emarassing story. 

"In the second grade, he walked into class, wearing nothing but Dora the explorer underwear. Then jumped on a desk and started singing My Humps by Fergie." Macie retold the story, "To this day, people still make fun of him over it. He's known to all the school jocks as 'Underwear Humper.'"

"Well, when you put it like that-" Tom tried to defend himself as the girls laughed hysterically.

"That's the truth and nothing but the truth so don't twist the story around to make your self look good." Macie cut him off.

"Indeed it is quite funny." The principal joined in on the giggles but then changed her facial expression quickly, "But I'm dead serious when I say I will  expel you from this school, Thomas. Don't make me do it."

"Got it." Tom mumbled, walking out of the office. His face was bright pink from embarrassment. The girls were still snickering and whispering to each other, walking behind him. It was pissing him off so he tried to walk away from them.

"Tom.. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get you angry. I was only having a little fun." Kaylee linked her arm with his and smiled at him.

"I know."  He half smiled back at her, "Its just that Penny and Macie were intentionally trying to make me look bad. They always do that in front of our new friends. This is only the beginning of things they will do to try and turn you against me. It happens everytime, trust me."

"Whatever they do wont change what I think. I'm your friend, Tom. I'm only friends with them because you are.." She reassured him.

"Really?"

"Would I ever lie to you?"

"Well-"

"Oh shut up!" She rolled her eyes, smiling. She gave him a big warm hug and teasingly smacked his back. Arm in arm, they proudly walked down the hallway and out the front gate of school. The two had absolutely nothing to do for the rest of the day so Kaylee suggested that they go to the pier since it was only a thirty minute walk from school. Tom had no idea what a pier was which made Kaylee laugh. She had been there countless times with her parents back when things weren't so dark. It used to be her favourite place in the whole world. It's still her happy place.

They arrived at the pier after what seemed like a two hour walk. Kaylee jumped up with happiness when she saw the Ferris wheel, still standing tall and colorful, just like it was when she was a kid. They walked around, looking at all the food stands, trying to figure out what they wanted to eat. They came across a burrito stand. Neither of them could deny a beautiful burrito, so they ordered three of them, extra large. The third one was for them to share like the fatties they knew they were. The two then rode the Ferris wheel when Tom got the stupid idea to pretend to strip on the pole. He was spinning and shaking his booty as the people sitting on the carts next to them stared. He didn't care what anybody thought so he continued on and he started singing "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. Kaylee just laughed and decided to join in on the singing. He held out his hand to her, signaling for her to get up and take it.

"No way, I'm not stripping on a pole with you." She giggled, shaking her head.

"Fine then, but dance with me." His hand was still out waiting for her to take it. A slow song was playing in the distance and the sun was already set.

She grabbed his hands and leaned in closer to him and started swaying her body in unison with his. He twirled her two times as the music started to speed up. The Ferris wheel started to move again and Kaylee fell onto Tom, smacking him in the face.

"Are you okay?" She looked at Tom who was rubbing the area where she smacked him.

"Perfectly alright," He tried to open his eye but failed, "If you don't count the aching pain in the eye that you poked."

She apologized and hugged him, laughing. It got real quiet as they waited their turn to step off the ferris wheel. Once they exited, Kaylee saw the last person she expected to see here. Jon was standing at the exit of the ride, arms crossed, staring straight at Kaylee. She told Tom to stay behind.

"What makes you think its okay to go out without permission?" Jon walked over and sunk his nails into her arm.

"I do what I want." Kaylee stood up for herself, yanking her arm out of his grasp. She knew he couldn't harm her, not here, not with Tom and others around watching.

"I swear to god, Mikaylee." He whispered near her ear. "We're going home now."

"Sorry, no can do." She took a pause. "You see, daddy, I wont be bossed around by you any longer. I have a life to live. Therefore, I'm gonna go out and live it."

"No you fucking wont. Not if I kill you first you ungrateful rebellious shit." He wanted to slap the shit out of her right then and there but he knew he couldn't. Too many witnesses.

"Have yourself a nice night, Jon." She calmly said emphasizing 'Jon.' She then walked away, looking for Tom.

Jon stood there, fists clenched, gritted teeth, and full of anger as he watched smiley Kaylee hug Tom and disappear into the crowd of people.