What He Left Behind

Eighteen

The next day, I arrive at school on my own and don't get to homeroom until several minutes after the bell has rung. My mother was having a bad morning and I couldn't leave until I'd subdued her a little.

Charlie isn't in. Having technically been the one to throw the first punch, he suffered the worst repercussions of being suspended for a few days, although to me that just seems like a free ticket to skip school. Stan escaped suspension, being handed only three days' worth of detentions. Unsurprisingly though, he has decided to skip school altogether. No doubt, he and Charlie are getting into trouble elsewhere today.

Mrs. McDonald rattles through the morning announcements before dismissing the class.

"Noelle, can I have a word?" she calls just as I am about to leave.

"Sure," I oblige, expecting a scolding for being late. Instead, she puts on her caring guidance counsellor style voice and assures me she simply wants to review my progress and catch up on how things are going, but I can't help but think it seems a little odd as she's never shown a particular interest before.

Behold, less than two minutes into the conversation, she hits me with the real reason for our chat.

"You and Charlie appear to be very close."

"Yeah, we're good friends."

"Just friends or...?"

"Is that any of your business?" I ask, sounding ruder than I intended to.

"If it's having a negative effect on your behaviour or your welfare, then yes."

"I wasn't aware that it was."

"Well then let's make sure it remains that way. Your files from your previous school say that you've had some issues with anger management."

"What do you mean?"

"Fighting," she tells me, "You got into a couple of fights."

"And since you've read my file, you'll know that my brother had passed away just a few weeks prior, so you must understand that was a difficult time for me."

"I don't doubt that," she starts, but I cut her off.

"Then what's the problem?"

"There's no problem. I'm just wondering whether Charlie is the best person for you to associate yourself with."

"Charlie's very good to me. There's no rule on who people can and can't be friends with, is there?"

Mrs. McDonald sits silently, chewing on her lip. It doesn't take long for me to grow frustrated.

"I don't really know what you're getting at but if you're worried I'm going to start getting into fights again, there's no need. Even if I do, that's not Charlie's fault."

"I believe you," she accepts. "Look, I didn't mean to stick my nose in. You've been no trouble at all since you've been here and you're doing exceptionally well in all of your classes. I just wanted to check in because you know as well as anyone that that boy leaves a path of destruction wherever he goes. I've been told your name came up during yesterday lunchtime's mishap and I'd hate to think you're getting dragged into Charlie's mess."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I sigh, feeling depleted, "There's more to him than what you all see." I know it just makes me sound like the pathetic lovesick wannabe girlfriend, but I don't know what else to say. I'm tired of everyone looking at Charlie as the root of all evil, like he's some kind of virus that infects everything he touches. I'm my own person and I'm sensible enough to make my own decisions and not be influenced by what Charlie does.