A Bad Idea (Spideychelle)

Ch. 3: Jack Dainels

MJ POV
My dad came home the next day, as I was at home doing homework. The second I heard the door open, my shoulders tensed.

"Michelle, how was your week?" he asked. It was a thinly veiled request for an update on my grades.

"I got a 98 on my math test, a 96 on my history test, and a 100 on my biology lab."

He grunted, unsatisfied. "96 on the history test."

"It was only one question wrong," I said, trying to defend myself.

"One question? How many mistakes are you allowed in life as a black woman?"

I dropped my gaze to the ground. "None."

"Exactly. I want your math and history marks upgraded."

"Dad, there's not a lot I can do-"

He dropped his briefcase angrily. "Do as I say, Michelle."

"Okay." My voice was small and shaky.

He pulled his luggage into his room and slammed the door behind him. I winced.

My fault, I guess.

-———————————————————————

It was like that for a couple days. Tense.

On Friday, he was heading out to spend the weekend with his Aunt Addy and Uncle Antonio.

"How'd your physics test go?" he asked as he pulled his suitcase out of his room.

"It was good."

"Good?"

I got up and threw out the empty bag of corn chips I'd been snacking on.

"Michelle."

"I got a 91."

He was scarily silent.

"Dad?"

"What was it out of?"

"35. It's a 32 out of 35."

"You got three wrong?"

I nodded, watching him carefully.

"Michelle Addison Jones, that is unacceptable."

"I know, I know-"

He grabbed my arm, fingers digging in. "Do you?" he shouted. "Do you know how this could affect your college applications?"

I nodded. "It's early October, Dad, I have plenty of time to-"

"I don't care! You shouldn't be thinking in terms of pulling your marks up! They need to be consistently excellent!" He let go of my arm and stepped back, steadying his breath and smoothing down his shirt. "I just want you to succeed, Michelle."

"I know."

He picked up his bag. "I'll see you on Sunday night."

"Yeah, see you."

I rubbed my arm. Well, today was better than most days with him. He hadn't used his belt.

I went to my room and dug into my drawers. It was a Friday night, I'd just drink the gross feeling in my chest away.

Peter POV

I got a text from MJ just after dinner with May.

MJ: what are you doing tonight

Me: I don't have any plans

MJ: wanna come upstairs?

My heart pounded as I typed out my reply.