by Bryna Butler
Chapter 4: A Swift Rendezvous
Colby walked Keira to the principal’s office. She didn’t want to and had resisted at first, but she knew it was better to face the music than to put it off any longer. Colby opened the door and Keira moved quickly to the counter to let the secretary know of her presence. Before she even spoke a word, Principal Murphy stormed out of his office with Dr. Tyler trailing behind.
“Young lady, get in my office right now,” he demanded. He looked to Colby, “Thank you, Colby, for finding Keira, you should return to class now.”
Keira bowed her head and moved slowly toward the principal’s desk. Colby could see that Dr. Tyler was already scolding her quietly as they walked.
“Please, Mr. Murphy,” Colby pleaded.
“What is it?”
Colby motioned for him to come around the counter so they could speak out of Keira’s earshot. This was probably unnecessary as Dr. Tyler currently had her full attention.
“Sir, I know this is bad,” he started and Murphy nodded. “But, I want you to know that she didn’t go off campus. She just found a place to hide so that she could cry. She just got upset over nothing. You know how girls can be sometimes. She just got wrapped up in her own drama.”
Principal Murphy put a firm hand on Colby’s shoulder to signal that he should stop speaking. “Please, sit down for a minute.”
Colby took a seat along the wall, parallel to the counter, as the principal began to speak to him. “Colby, you know that you are poised to be one of my star students. I appreciate that you convinced Keira to come to my office. However, I need you to understand that you are not her keeper. This friendship is quickly becoming a detriment to your high school career.” Colby grimaced as the principal continued. “Take today’s outburst and resulting vandalism for example. Also, I’m guessing that you were not excused from class to look for your friend. I know that you mean well, but I’ve seen this happen before. One day, your support of her actions will negatively impact your own future. Concentrate on yourself and your own studies. I don’t want you to start off on the wrong foot. Do you understand?”
Colby started to object, but knew that it would do no good, so he simply nodded in agreement.
“Mrs. Chandeline, please prepare a hall pass for Mr. Hayes, he will be returning to class now.”
With no further word, Principal Murphy turned and entered his office, shutting the door behind him.
Colby ambled down the hallway. He was not eager to return to class. He would have to explain to Mrs. Bethany why he was in the principal’s office when he should have been in the lab working on his research project. He would have to withstand the looks from the other students. He would have to tell Brooke what happened. Well, talking to Brooke was never bad, he thought to himself. Maybe returning to class would be a good thing after all.
Just as he had anticipated, he entered study hall to quizzical glances. He handed the hall pass to Mrs. Bethany who also gave him a questioning look. He quickly explained by telling her that he ran into Keira and talked her into going to the principal’s office since they were looking for her. The simple explanation was good enough, so he took his seat. It was not long before he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.
“Did she really just go to the principal’s office because you told her it was the right thing to do?”
“Yeah. I guess, she did.”
“Impressive, Hayes,” Brooke said. “I wonder if that would work with me.”
“What do you mean?”
She shook out her long blonde hair as she spoke. “Well, I was just wondering if I would act on your advice so completely?” she said in an obvious attempt at flirting. Colby decided that this was the moment.
“Let’s try it out,” he said, low enough that it was mostly for his own ears. When Mrs. Bethany looked down to continue grading papers, he shifted around in his seat to face Brooke. He took in a quick, deep breath. “I think you should go to the Fall Ball with me.”
“I guess I have my answer now. I would act on your advice.”
She looked down at her notebook and started scribbling. Colby furled his brow, a little confused by her comment. She looked up at him with a wide grin, “That means yes, Colby. Yes, I’ll go to the dance with you, but…”
“I know. I shouldn’t have asked. I mean, we barely know each other. I understand, it’s okay.”
“Understand what? I was just going to suggest that we go out before the dance too. That way, we can get to know each other a little better. Here’s my number, call me.”
Colby choked out a “sure” and turned back around in his seat. “Act cool…act cool…act cool…” he ordered himself in his head as he exhaled at last.
