Leather Jackets and Brooches

Chapter 10

It was the day of the presentations for Mrs Haggly's class, Cheryl and Toni were the last to present theirs to the class. 

"Thank you Veronica and Jughead for the well written report. Ok our last pairing is Cheryl and Toni" Mrs Haggly addressed the class.

Cheryl and Toni stood up in front of the class and put up the title slide for their presentation. On the slide it had Boycott Pickens Day in bold letters. The class began to stir at this shocking title slide.

Between the both of them, Cheryl and Toni explained to their class why they would boycott General Picken's Day from now on and how the Uktena and Serpents deserved justice for the events that took place. 

"How can you believe this garbage from an old man" Reggie interrupted.

"Watch your mouth Reggie before I shut it for you" Cheryl warned him.

"Or I can" Fangs added

"I can't believe you believe it and against someone in your own family" Reggie laughed at Cheryl

"Leave her alone" Toni approached Reggie with her fists clenched

The arguing continued and was intensifying with every word said. At this time Mrs Haggly had gone to fetch the Principal. He walked in to the chaos just as Toni was about to go for Reggie but she was being held back by Cheryl.

"Enough class!" Principal Weatherbee shouted causing everyone in the class to stop what they were doing.

"You two come with me now!" He pointed at Reggie and Toni.

"This is your fault southside scum" Reggie muttered.

Cheryl felt enraged with anger and punched Reggie straight in the face causing him to fall backwards. The whole class gasped.

"That is enough I said! My office now!" Principal Weatherbee said sternly. He hinted for Cheryl to follow him to his office.

Reggie stood up and wiped his nose which was bleeding.

"Someone take Mr Mantle to see the nurse first" he ushered Cheryl and Toni out of the classroom.

"I will Sir" Archie offered

As they entered the reception area outside his office, Principle Weatherbee told them to wait there while he made some calls. The girls sat down in two chairs next to each other. Toni started nervously playing with her ring on her thumb which caught Cheryl's attention. 

"Hey are you ok?" Cheryl asked with concern.

"Yeah. I appreciate you sticking up for me Cheryl" Toni looked up and smiled at Cheryl.

"He got what he deserved. I'm just annoyed we didn't get to finish the presentation" Cheryl joked

"Yeah me too. What do you think is going to happen to us?" Toni questioned

"I dont know to be honest. Whatever we get it was kind of worth it" Cheryl tried to reassured.

The door opened to Principal Weatherbee's office opened.

"Miss Blossom you can go in" he stepped aside to let Cheryl walk in.

Toni still feel nervous, she hadn't really been trouble before but at least she hadn't punched a student unlike Cheryl. She felt bad for what happened and was worried about the punishment Cheryl would get. Toni stood up and went over to the desk where the receptionist was.

"Excuse Miss can I go to the bathroom? I don't want the Principle to think I left" Toni asked politely.

"Yes dear. I will let him know if he questions" she said sweetly

Toni headed down the hallway to the bathroom. Once she had finished she returned to the chair outside the Principle's office and patiently waited. During that time Toni was gone, Cheryl's mother had been called in to the office as well.

After a while the door opened and Toni could here Penelope thanking the Principle for being lenient with Cheryl's discipline. Cheryl walked out of the office to Toni.

"Hey what happened?" Toni asked concerned.

"Toni don't" Cheryl whispered as her mother appeared.

"You straight home now!" Penelope demanded

"As for you. I don't want you talking to my daughter again" Penelope warned Toni.

"Cheryl, I'm"

"Miss Topaz in you come please" Principle Weatherbee interupted.

Toni walked in to the large office and sat down on one of the two chair in front of his desk. Principle Weatherbee sat at the opposite side of the desk in his grand leather chair.

"Now from my understanding you was settling in very well after the first day troubles. So I am disappointed to see you getting in to a verbal fight with another student over your presentation."

"I'm sorry Principle Weatherbee I guess we didn't handle the situation very well" Toni confessed.

"Can I see a copy of the presentation you and Miss Blossom did?"

"Yes sir" Toni reached in to her bag and handed him the report they had completed as part of it.

Principle Weatherbee read through the report until there was a light knock at the door.

"Come in"

"Sorry Principle, Mr Topaz is still unavailable by phone at the moment" the receptionist informed

"Ok not to worry, thank you"

He continued to read the report. Once he had finished, he removed his glasses and placed them on the desk.

"Well Miss Topaz, this is a enlightening report I must say. You and Miss Blossom have made quite a good team" he confessed

"Umm thank you sir. We didn't mean for the presentation to turn out the way it did. We wanted to share the real story of General Pickens and find some justice for my family but it wasn't well accepted by some of the class"

"I can see. Well this report is very well written and has the evidence to back it up. I am a man that strongly believes in free speech and because of your recent efforts to make the most out of the opportunities this school offers, I will let you off with a warning this time."

"Thank you sir" Toni said gratefully

"However Miss Topaz, if you or your fellow new students are experiencing discrimination from other students I would like you to report it to me, is that clear?"

"Yes sir. Thank you, I'm grateful"

"Ok you may return to your day. I may suggest heading to your next period" he hinted at the time.

"Yes ok thank you" she stood up and left his office then headed to her next lesson.

Meanwhile Penelope was driving Cheryl home as she had been expelled for the rest of the day for punching Reggie.

"I want to make it clear, I don't want you mixing with that girl or any of the Southsiders. Is that understood?"

Cheryl continued to look out of the window.

"Cheryl! Is that understood?" she called.

"Yes"

 Cheryl's phone buzzed from inside her pocket, she took it to see she had 3 missed calls and a message from Toni.   

"And I want your phone as soon as we get home. You will get it back when you learn to show respect"

"Yes Mother" 

Cheryl returned her phone in to her pocket and learnt her head against the window and stared out of it. She knew that Penelope would do everything in her power to keep her away from Toni, but Toni made Cheryl feel a way she had never felt before with a friend, there was just something about her that Cheryl could quite piece together, well for now at least.