by Betsy Haynes
"One more thing," said Mr. Bell as some of the students moved toward the door. "On the matter of Bonnie Zaretki and Linda Compton . . ."
Everyone froze in their tracks as Mr. Bell went on, "They will return to Teen Court this afternoon."
Katie did a double take. All around her kids were whispering.
Mr. Bell held up his hand, signaling that he wasn't finished talking. "I want you to know how pleased and proud I am of the way the Teen Court is conducting itself. Junior high is a time of transition between the childhood years of elementary school and the more adult years of high school. Many people opposed the formation of Teen Court on the grounds that you were too young for the responsibility. I am proud to say that you have all shown maturity and judgment in your handling of the cases that have come before you, and I look forward to working with you in the future."
Mr. Bell dismissed them after that, and Katie turned to leave, feeling very mixed up. The vote against the student petition had disappointed her a lot, and she was nervous about Tony's coming back to court again. What would he do this time? How would he behave? She was nervous, too, about Bonnie and Linda's scheduled reappearance. Was Mr. Zaretki's threat over? Or was this just round two of the battle?
Still, Mr. Bell's praise of the court's maturity and judgment were important. He was right about the difference between elementary school and junior high. There was more trust and more concern with students' opinions here, and there was definitely more responsibility. No matter how much pressure it had put on her, she could never stop trying to be fair.
She sighed as she moved on toward the door, but Miss Dickinson caught her eye and motioned her to one side.
"Would you come to my room for a moment?" asked the teacher. "I'd like to talk to you."
Katie nodded, but she had an ominous feeling. Teachers didn't usually want to have talks unless your grades were bad or you had done something wrong.
"Pull up a chair," said Miss Dickinson when they reached her room. She almost sounded friendly, thought Katie. "I know, Katie, that you have a strong sense of fairness, and I think it's great. I've thought back about the time that I gave you a detention, and now I think maybe I was a little hasty. Maybe I wasn't as fair as I could have been. I'm sorry if that's true."
It took Katie a moment to answer. Miss Dickinson was apologizing to her. A teacher was actually admitting she was wrong.
"That's all right, Miss Dickinson."
"There's one more thing I wanted to talk to you about. Mrs. Brenner and I sat in on Mr. Bell's staff meeting this morning when they considered your petition. I can't tell you who voted for or against it, but there was a great deal of discussion and the vote was very close.
"Now I don't want you to feel bad." She put her hand on Katie's arm and her eyebrows pinched together. "What you did was a good thing, and you kids tried very hard. What I wanted to say to you is, I think that maybe if you try again in a few months, after Mrs. Brenner and I have had a chance to do a little politicking," she said, winking, "the petition might have a better chance of passing."
Katie's spirits soared and then fell. "What about Tony?"
"I was hoping you might talk to him. If he starts wearing the earring again, Mr. Bell will have no choice but to bring him before the Teen Court again. It's the rule. It may not seem fair, but Tony can't decide which rules he likes and which ones he doesn't like." Then she smiled and added, "I know you'll help him do what's right."
Katie nodded. She got up to leave and then stopped. "Miss Dickinson, thanks for what you said about my detention. I think you're fair."
"Thank you, Katie."
For a second, Katie thought she saw tears in Miss Dickinson's eyes.
"And Katie?"
"Yes, Miss Dickinson."
"Do talk to Tony. He'll listen to you."
Katie nodded and left the room. Miss Dickinson was right. Someone did need to talk to Tony. But why did it have to be her?
CHAPTER 17
Katie wasn't sure if she found Tony or he found her. He was standing in the hallway near her locker when she went to put away her things and get the books she needed for homework before she went to Teen Court.
"Hi," he said, flashing his insolent grin at her.
"Hi." She fumbled around, trying to find a way to begin telling him about the decision. She didn't feel hostile toward him at this moment.
She took a deep breath and said it. "Mr. Bell told the court that the petition didn't pass." She watched his face for any reaction. When there was none, she said quickly, "But Miss Dickinson told me that if we tried again in a few months, she thought it would. Could you wait until then before you started wearing the earring again?" She looked at him hopefully.
He studied her face. "I've already decided not to wear it in school." He paused. "You'd look kind of bad if I did, wouldn't you? Like maybe you'd been taken in by me."
The question caught Katie by surprise. "That's not why I asked if you could wait," she said, frowning. "I think it's kind of dumb to get into trouble if there's a good chance the rule's going to be changed. I think Mr. Bell, Mrs. Brenner, and Miss Dickinson are trying to be fair. It just may take a little longer."
Tony smiled at her. This time he looked a little more sincere.
"Still trying to be a lawyer, aren't you?" he asked. "I already decided not to wear it at school if the petition didn't pass. I don't want people thinking I sat back and watched while you did all the work. I'm not the kind of guy who uses his friends."
She had never heard his voice so soft. And he had called her his friend. Did he mean it? His sparkling black eyes made her insides do somersaults.
"Now that I've said that, I've got another favor to ask," he said, grinning impishly. "When it comes time to petition again, will you help?"
Katie was flabbergasted. She looked at him helplessly as she struggled for words. First he said he wouldn't use his friends, and then he asked for help again. What kind of guy was he, anyway?
Unruffled by her silence, Tony went on, "I was thinking that if the Wacko administration turns down the petition again, we could take it to the school board. And if they turn it down . . . who knows? With your help, we could take it all the way to the Supreme Court? What do you say, Your Honor?"
Katie was still confused. "But why me?"
"Because everybody knows you're fair and that you stand up for what you believe in. They wouldn't listen to me, but they would listen to you. Besides," he added with a sly smile, "I like red hair. You doing anything after school?"
Katie felt dizzy. One minute he was saying the things she wanted to hear—that he admired her for the qualities she was most proud of. But then, the next minute, he was behaving like his old macho self.
"I told my friends I'd meet them at Bumpers and then go to a movie with them," she said hurriedly before she could change her mind.
"Still not dating, huh?"
"Oh, no! I definitely date."
"Good. I'll remember that." He laughed and then added, "See you in court, Your Honor."
Katie watched as he walked away. It was crazy. She definitely didn't think he was her type. But what type was he? She still couldn't be sure. Maybe the best way to find out was to go on a date with him sometime, she mused. It would be the fair thing to do, she thought, smiling to herself.
Everyone was chattering happily as the Teen Court members settled into their chairs. Katie thought how close they all were becoming. They were developing friendships from having to do so much together and take so much responsibility.
She was really starting to enjoy Teen Court, especially now that her first turn at being senior judge was over and she had survived in one piece. It was even nice to know that Miss Dickinson had learned a lesson. Well, teachers were people, too, she guessed, chuckling quietly to herself.
This is what being in court is all about, and I like it. She stuck her chin out. Maybe she would be a lawyer someday, and maybe even a judge. Her Honor, Katie Shannon didn't sound too bad. She would
have to try saying it out loud in the bathroom at home.
"Okay, everyone. Time to get the court in session," announced Mrs. Brenner.
"What about Tony Calcaterra?" asked Daphne.
Miss Dickinson looked at Katie. The others followed her lead.
"I talked to Tony," said Katie. "He says he isn't going to wear his earring at school until the rule is changed"—her voice dropped to just above a whisper—"and he asked if I'd help on the next petition."
"Katie and I discussed trying another petition at a later date," interjected Miss Dickinson. "Things do change. And Mr. Bell has agreed that Tony doesn't need to be punished this time, providing he really doesn't wear his earring to school again."
"All right!" said Shane.
"Well, we might as well get started," said Mrs. Brenner. "Daphne, why don't you be senior judge; Shane, you be bailiff; and Shelly, you can be clerk."
"Mr. Bailiff," said Daphne in a fake baritone voice. "Would you bring in the first plaintiff and defendant?"
"DE-lighted, Your Honor," said Shane.
There was a commotion at the back of the room as Shane led Bonnie Zaretki and Linda Compton into the media center. Right behind them was Mr. Bartosik, his hair slicked down again, and Mr. Bell. And behind them came Mr. and Mrs. Zaretki, looking angrier than ever.
"Oh, no," groaned Katie.
With loud scraping noises chairs were dragged across the floor so that Bonnie's parents could sit beside her. Mr. Bell stood to one side, his expressionless face giving away no clues as to what was to come.
All of the judges looked upset at the sight of the Zaretkis, but Shelly finally found her voice and repeated the charges from the week before.
"Do either of you have anything to say?" she asked the two girls.
Bonnie stood and smiled slyly at the court. "My father has decided not to take the Teen Court to real court," she began, looking over her shoulder at her father as if for reassurance. He nodded sternly, and she went on, "However, Linda and I have decided to circulate petitions to allow students to smoke on the school grounds."
Mrs. Brenner gasped, and several jurors dropped their pencils. Mr. Zaretki smiled pompously.
"It is our belief," said Bonnie, sounding to Katie as if she were reciting lines she had memorized, "that Linda Compton and I are being unfairly discriminated against by not being allowed to smoke and that—"
"Just a moment, here," said Mr. Bell in his sternest voice. He folded his arms across his chest and walked slowly to the end of the table where the members of the court sat. "We allowed the earring petition to be presented because it is proper to question the dress code from time to time."
Mr. Bell paused and looked directly at Mr. Zaretki. "But in the case of a petition to allow smoking, I want it understood right now that the administration will never, under any circumstances, permit anything that will be detrimental to our students' health or well-being. I want it further understood that petitioning the administration is not the solution to every question, nor will I allow this Teen Court to be intimidated. Now, Mr. and Mrs. Zaretki, Mr. Bartosik, and girls, if you will allow me, please. I think it's time for the court to make its decision."
When the room had been cleared, no one said a word. Katie stared at her notepad, thinking that it was so quiet you could almost hear the dust settle. She liked the way Mr. Bell had handled the problem, and she was sure that Mr. Zaretki would never interfere with school policy again.
Finally Shane spoke up. "There's no question that they're guilty, but I feel sorry for them. Bonnie's dad was the real villain."
"I agree," said Katie. Most of the others nodded. After a few minutes discussion the court decided to sentence Bonnie and Linda to two weeks shelving books in the media center. When they heard the decision, the girls looked relieved.
"Can we leave now?" asked Katie after the girls were gone. She was exhausted and wanted to go home.
"Not yet," said Mrs. Brenner. "Shane, will you bring in our last defendant of the day, please?"
At the sound of the doors opening again, Katie looked up to see who was being brought in. Her mouth dropped open, and she fell back in her chair in total shock. It was Mr. Bell and Tony.
As they took their seats in front of the court, Katie looked frantically at Tony's ear. There was no earring.
Had he taken it out after Mr. Bell caught him wearing it at school? She narrowed her eves and looked at him angrily. How could he have done such a thing? He had said he wouldn't. Couldn't he keep his word for one single day?
Shelly cleared her voice. "The charge of painting graffiti on the outside school wall has been brought against Tony Calcaterra by Mr. Bell."
Daphne asked, "Mr. Bell, is there anything you want to say?"
Mr. Bell sighed and looked at Tony, who sat gazing at Katie with that arrogant smile on his face. "The charge speaks for itself. Tony used a can of spray paint and sprayed letters on the outer wall of the school."
"What were the letters?" asked Shane.
"T. C. + K. S.," answered Mr. Bell.
Katie's mouth dropped open as everyone in the room looked her way.
Katie lounged on one end of the couch stroking Libber, who was gently kneading her stomach. Willie was seated at the other end reading and marking a manuscript. It had been an exciting and very confusing day, and Katie was definitely glad it was over.
When Mr. Bell had told them what Tony had done this time, she thought she would die right there in her chair. Everyone in the room knew what the letters meant. Tony Calcaterra + Katie Shannon. At the same time it kind of made her happy. Maybe Tony really did like her.
Kaci Davis had smirked her usual superior way when Katie said she thought she should abstain from voting on Tony's punishment. The Teen Court had decided that Tony should clean the letters off the wall along with some other graffiti that had been there before. That seemed fair. Even Tony had thought so, and he had winked at her as he left the room. She would have to give some serious thought to going out with him. Only to find out if he was on the level, of course, she assured herself.
She certainly had learned a lot about how tough being fair was in the last few days, and she would never ever again say the hard part was over. Each time she had, she had gotten hit with a bomb. First, her friends thought she was being too tough on Randy and Keith, and then practically everyone in Wacko Junior High thought she was being too easy on Tony.
It seemed as if adults didn't always know how to be fair either. She would never forget Mr. Zaretki, and Miss Dickinson had been unfair to Katie by giving her that detention. But she had apologized, and that was just about all you could do when you goofed.
Getting up, Katie carried Libber to her room and put her on the bed. Reaching into her closet, she pulled out her navy-blue blazer and put it on. Then she took an old briefcase of her mother's and posed in front of her full-length mirror.
Not bad, she thought. Maybe it's a little too early to think about becoming a judge, but I'm going to make a terrific lawyer.
CHAPTER 18
Beth was running late. Mr. Naset had sprung a pop quiz during history class, and she had put off doing her homework last night so that she could watch a movie on television. She had still been working on the quiz when the dismissal bell rang.
Now as she hurried into the dressing room of the girls' gym to change into shorts and sneakers for cheerleading practice, she crossed her fingers that Miss Wolfe hadn't already lined up the squad on the floor and started the warm-up stretching exercises. Miss Wolfe went positively berserk when anyone came in late.
"I'm in luck," she sang to herself as she saw that Alexis Duvall was sitting on a bench tying her shoes and Taffy Sinclair was still primping at the mirror. If she hurried, she would get onto the gym floor on time.
Beth was rushing so that she didn't notice when Alexis and Taffy left for the gym, and she was pulling on her shoes when she heard the sound of voices coming from the other section of the dressing room. It was the section where the res
trooms and shower stalls were.
"That's not all my father lets me do."
The voice from behind the wall was faint, but there was no mistaking who was speaking. Beth narrowed her eyes and made a face. It was Laura McCall, and it sounded as if she was bragging again.
"I never have to be home at a certain time. I've never had a curfew in my life, and I don't even have to tell Dad where I'm going. You see, he trusts me totally."
"Must be nice!" answered someone Beth thought sounded like Dekeisha Adams. "My parents treat me like some kind of criminal. They check up on me and make me call if I'm going to be one second late. Then they give me the third degree when I get home. I'd give anything to have a father like yours."
Beth wanted to throw up. Laura was always trying to make people think that she was the luckiest person alive and that her good fortune would rub off on anyone who hung around her. Now she was trying to impress Dekeisha. It was disgusting.
Beth quickly tied her sneakers and started to gather up her things when Laura and Dekeisha came around the corner from the other section. The moment they spotted Beth, Laura whispered something to Dekeisha and both of them burst out laughing.
"I really feel sorry for some girls," said Laura between laughs. "Don't you, Dekeisha?"
The tall black seventh-grader looked sympathetically at Beth for an instant and then nodded as they raced out of the dressing room still laughing.
Beth felt rage creeping up her body and into her face like mercury rising in a thermometer. How dare Laura McCall make fun of me! she thought. I'd rather die than have anyone think I need sympathy. She may think she can make herself look great by making me look bad, but she's mistaken. I'll turn the tables on her if it's the last thing I ever do.
How will theatrical Beth deal with Laura's constant bragging? Will she put a stop to it once and for all? Or will her flair for being dramatic cause her to do things that will only make it worse and get herself into trouble? Find out in The Fabulous Five #5: The Bragging War.
