I was right.
As soon I got to school the next day, Dylan and I were called down to the principle's office. It came as quite a shock to the class when my name was heard. I mean how did "goody-two shoes" Aubrey Dawson get in trouble? Amber was gawking at me when I stood up and quietly left the class. All right, so I was blushing a little, but still. Dylan wasn't in my class first period. When I got to the office, he was already there. He was calmly seated on a chair, tapping his foot. My nerves were jittering and my heart was racing. Swallowing hard, I made my way and sat next to Dylan while we waited for the principle to arrive.
Soon, we were staring at a red-faced Mr. Petrillo. Needless to say, he wasn't happy.
"I cannot believe that you two deliberately skipped detention. I mean I don't understand this! Skipping detention is only going to get you in more trouble! Especially you, Mr. Seether. September hasn't even ended and you've already cut classes and got into fight with a fellow kid." Mr. Petrillo stopped and took a deep breath. His icy eyes averted to me and I internally squealed, shifting in my seat. "You have disappointed me the most, Aubrey. As far as I know, you have a perfect attendance record. Your grades are astounding and you never cease to amaze the teachers. Your attitude is also splendid but you skipped detention and I no longer know what to think of you. I never expected you to do such a thing."
"She skipped detention; she didn't commit a felony," Dylan snapped.
"I don't expect anything from you, Mr. Seether," Mr. Petrillo calmly said, clasping his hands behind his back. "I never really did and I don't think I will. You've done nothing but wreck havoc in this school. You left a really bad impression and as far as I know, you weren't that great back in New York. Need I remind you that you got expelled? I don't suppose you'd like the same thing to happen here. Am I right?"
I noticed Dylan's jaw clenching, his hands balled up in fists. Mr. Petrillo smirked at this and I felt a surge of anger within me. Principles weren't supposed to treat students like they're the scum of the Earth.
I cleared my throat. "It wasn't – It wasn't his fault, Mr. Petrillo. You can't entirely blame Dylan for this. I agreed to participate in skipping detention. Frankly, I take blame for all of this."
"Ms. Dawson, I am aware that both of you have agreed to this. I believe that if you hadn't hung around him, you wouldn't have committed such a thing. He's bad influence and I advise you not to stick around."
Now it was my turn to clench my fists. Taking a deep breath, I unclenched and stared at the principle.
"Well, I don't believe that," I said. Mr. Petrillo raised an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest.
"Shut up," Dylan hissed, low enough only for me to hear. I looked at him and he glared at me. "You're making this worse for yourself."
I shrugged.
"Oh, you don't? Should I be surprised when I hear that you've decided to cut classes? Or that you've vandalized school property?" he sneered.
I furrowed my eyebrows. "With all due respect, I don't think you should be romanticizing this whole matter as if it were very serious. Yes, I skipped detention. I've already admitted that. I'd like to know what my punishment is now so that I could go back to class."
Mr. Petrillo stared at me and I knew that he was not in the least bit happy with me. Frankly, I didn't care. I looked down at my lap as he sat down and interlaced his fingers.
"Mr. Seether," he spoke. "Do you have anything to add?"
"No."
"Very well," he said, looking down at some papers on his desk. He looked back up a second later and annunciated his words carefully. "As punishment, you two will be cleaning classes and bathrooms. I do not want any arguments. I hope you two will learn your lessons and I do hope this won't happen again, especially from you Ms. Dawson. I expect much better. As for you Mr. Seether, I don't expect anything at all and I don't think this will change."
I frowned and clenched my fists. "What is that supposed to—"
Before I could finish my sentence, I felt Dylan's hand curl around my wrist, squeezing it so that I yelped. I pursed my lips and stayed quiet.
"You're dismissed."
When we left the office, I began walking towards my class, Dylan slowly trailing behind me. We walked in complete and utter silence. My lips pursed, I thought of how unfair Mr. Petrillo was. It wasn't even about the punishment. Why did principles like to degrade students?
"You're a idiot, you know that?" Dylan spoke.
My shoulders sagged and I whirled around. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything!"
He stopped walking and stood in front of me. "Were you honestly about to start a debate between you and that screw of a principle? It's better if you stay quiet next time."
"Why you little—"
He rolled his eyes. "You could have gotten in more trouble, you know that? People see you as this good girl and I am not surprised. And then you were about to argue with the principle."
"I wanted to," I said, folding my arms. "He was being unfair."
"We're going to be cleaning—"
"No," I interjected. "He was degrading you. As if you're the scum of the Earth. Now, I don't think you are; school-wise, that is. But, I won't disagree with the fact that sometimes you can be a huge butt."
He stared at me, his eyes roaming mine.
I shrugged and began walking away. "See you after school, then!"
I heard him curse.
All right, sometimes he can surely be the scum of the Earth.
