Senior Year

Chapter twenty- two: the truth spills

          I slowly eased my way into her office, as I saw Mrs. Aveen sitting at her desk look very pissed. She had two chairs set up in front of her desk and was one taken. I noticed it was taken Joe. He was acting as if I weren’t in the room. He kept his head down the whole time.

          “What’s going on?” I asked hesitantly.

“Sit.” Mrs. Aveen demanded. I took the only empty seat in the room which was to the left of Joe. I felt nervous or weird as if something wasn’t right. There was an eerie silence until Mrs. Aveen spoke up.

          “Charlotte, your parents are on their way.”

“Why?” I questioned.

          “We know about you and Mr. Benzoli’s affair.” That sentence made my heart sop and my mind freeze. The only thing that was running through my mind was that Joe is going to jail.

“We put two and two together. All of the extra tutoring, being late to classes together, and you’re only doing good in his class. Those were just suspicions but yesterday before the meeting, I saw you two kiss. I didn’t want to say anything because the meeting had to be done and I was hoping you two would confess but I guess not.” She spat out. I didn’t really know what to think right now. I felt guilty. I felt this was totally my fault.

          “Do you know how much trouble you both are in? You could get expelled and he could go to prison!” She said seriously. Before she could say anything else, her phone buzzed. Her assistant was letting her know my parents were here. Mrs. Aveen told them to come in. A few seconds later, my parents came in looking angry as hell. I knew this wasn’t going to end pretty.

          “I’ve informed your parents on the situation.” Mrs. Aveen stated. They stood next to me glaring at me.

“Why?” My mom snapped. I shook my head, looking down. Tears began to fill my eyes as I feared for what may happen to Joe.

          “I don’t know.” I mumbled.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” He’s your teacher!” Brian yelled.

          “Mr. and Mr. Winchester, we still don’t know how we are going to treat this situation.” Mrs. Aveen said while looking at my presents.

“We should call the police.” Brian suggested.

          “No we shouldn’t!” I protested.

“This is against the law.” My mom butted in. The thought of Joe going to prison absolutely broke my heart. I just started crying and couldn’t control it.

          “Mom, please don’t. Don’t, I’ll do anything.” I cried.

“Charlotte, how has this been going on?” my mom asked.

          “The beginning of this school year.” I mumbled. I heard a few gasps escape my parents and Mrs. Aveen’s lips.

          “Wait, so you yelled at me yesterday over your teacher?!... You’re in love with him?” Brian yelled.

“Yeah.” I mumbled.

          “Um, I need to know who made the first move. They’ll have to suffer the worse consequence.” Mrs. Aveen stated.

“It was-” Joe started.

          “My idea. I’m really sorry. Punish me, expel me, just don’t give him the blame.” I pleaded.

“This is what we are going to do. I already fired Mr. Benzoli. Charlotte, I’m going to suspend you until next Friday, and you’re not a loud to go to prom. If I have one more problem with you, then you’ll be expelled and you won’t graduate. And just because he’s fired and you’re graduating doesn’t mean you can still see each other. Joe, that’s all I wanted to say. Go pack your things. Charlotte, get the books you’ll need for the next week. I need to talk to your parents for a bit.” Joe got up and walked out the door. I huffed and followed.

          I walked to my locker and basically emptied it by putting my books in my bag. I closed my locker and leaned against it while closing my eyes. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes again. The hallway was empty. I waited for my parents to come out. I heard a door open. I looked up at the door to Mrs. Aveen’s office but it was still closed. I looked to my right and saw Joe walking in my direction. I immediately dropped my bag and went to hug him. He hugged me tightly as if it was the last time he was ever going to see me.

          “I’m so sorry.” I mumbled into his chest. I pulled back after a while.

“What are you going to do?” I asked.

          “I don’t know.” He said sounding a bit scared.

“Don’t lose touch. We figure something out. I promise.” I said.

          “I love you.” He said with tears in his eyes.

“I love you too.” my voice cracked.

          Soon I heard the principal’s door open. My parents walked out not looking happy at all. Brian scanned the hallway. When his eyes landed on us, he quickly made his way near me. He picked up my bag and tugged on my arm.

          “Let’s go.” Brian said angrily. He pulled my arm and tugged me out of the school. Right now, I was scared. I knew I was in a rude awakening when I got home.