Coach Carter

Eleven

"But Jen, I don't know that I want you to be in the room when I talk to whoever it is today. I kinda want to do this alone." I sighed, dropping my spoon into my cereal.

"Car, your 17, so it's honestly your choice. I just wanted to meet them. I don't have to stay if you don't want me to." Jen replied.

"Can I think about it? I'm nervous enough for today, I think having you in the room would make it worse. You already know what I'm going to talk about, so it's nothing new to you, but this person doesn't know me. They only know what's already in my file, not why it happened or why I did what I did."

"You're right. They don't know you, Car. Wouldn't you be more comfortable with me in there?" Jen asked, taking our bowls to the sink. "Of course you can think about it kiddo."

I smiled at her and took a sip of my orange juice. I checked the clock on the oven.

"Oh shit. Jen, we're going to be late." I gulped down the last bit of my orange juice and ran upstairs to change.

"You forgot it was Monday, didn't you?" Jen chuckled from the foot of my bed and I rushed around to get my books in my bag.

"Not funny, Jennifer." I rolled my eyes, slipping on my shoes.

"Yes, it really is." She handed me my backpack and we walked downstairs.

We hopped into her car and looked at the clock. 8:23.

"Fuck. Anna's gonna kill me. I've missed over half of first period." I sighed.

"I'm sure she'll understand." Jen replied, parking in between the high school and middle school.

I hopped out of the car without another word. I'm sure she'll understand, but I don't know what mood she's in this morning. I got a pass from the office and just waited in the hall until the bell rang, signaling the end of first period. I squeezed past the other students leaving and into my seat, getting a look from Christian.

"Chill, I forgot it was Monday." I chuckled.

I got my notebook out and copied notes from Christian, ignoring the bell when it rang & when Anna started class.

"Nice of you to join us Ms. Taylor." Anna smirked.

"I'm sorry Ms. Carter, I had a bit of a late start this morning."

"Try not to let it happen again." I nodded.

She started class and I tried my hardest to pay attention. All too soon class was over. I walked up to her desk as kids left the room.

"I'm sorry about this morning. I was talking with Jennifer and didn't realize the time." I looked down.

"It's okay Car, I was just worried." She gave me a light smile. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." I cleared my throat. "I should go, I don't want to be late for math. I'll see you later."

I walked out of her classroom, running into Lex.

"What's up lil bitch?" I chuckled.

"You're obsessed." She rolled her eyes. "But nothing. Jen told me you have an appointment with your new therapist today. How are you doing with that?" We reaches the top of the stairs and walked over to some lockers, away from the crowd in the middle of the hallway.

"I'm doing okay. Um, I haven't been to therapy in a while, but I was keeping in touch with her, giving her updates every so often. But I'm nervous to meet the new one. She doesn't know me like Jessica did. I'm a little scared to open up to her."