The New Kid

Chapter 11- The Principal's Office

"Scott Wynter to the principal's office," the intercom called. I rubbed my eyes; I knew why I was getting sent there. I took a walk of shame out of World History and made my way to the office. The secretary led me to the principal's office. There, Principal Davis sat in a fancy office chair. He was a middle-aged man and always had his gray hair slicked back. He was a husky man, but not fat. His scraggly goatee begged to be shaved. To the chair to the right of me, there sat Cameron.

"Okay, I know what this is all about," I stated.

Principal Davis "stroked" his goatee, "You do now, eh? Sit."

I sat down in the empty seat. I could feel the atmosphere tense up around me. Principal Davis leaned back in his chair, "Boys, I'm pretty sure you know why I called you in here, right?"

"To talk to us about the cafeteria incident this morning," Cameron blurted out.

Principal Davis nodded, "We can't have this kind of behavior at Phoenix High, gentlemen. This is a school, not a playground; you're both sophomores. You're acting like little kids with this rivalry nonsense."

I always hated being called a little kid. I was aware of my behavior. I was pretty sure I wasn't trying to fight Cameron. I chimed in, "Sir, I haven't been acting like a little kid. I haven't done anything at all."

"Cameron here says you've called him names and threatened him," Principal Davis explained.

I looked at Cameron, and raised an eyebrow at him, "No, Principal Davis. I haven't called him names. In fact, he's lying to you, sir." Cameron crossed his brows, "Not true!"

"Mr. White, settle down. Continue, Mr. Wynter," Principal Davis explained.

I explained to him all that had happened over the course of two weeks. Maybe I had committed a social crime by telling on Cameron, but I had no idea what he was capable of yet. He could've been stronger than me and could really hurt me, or worse. Principal Davis sighed and looked over at Cameron. He grabbed a slip of yellow paper.

"Mr. White, you will now have to serve a day of in-school suspension for everything you've done," Principal Davis explained. I chuckled, and Cameron growled, "You're a fucking piece of shit, Wynter." Principal Davis raised an eyebrow at him, "I'll be adding a Friday extension for the use of profanity."

Cameron stood up and tried to walk over to me, then Principal Davis slammed his hand on his desk, making me jump, "Do you want to make this a 3-day out-of-school suspension for assault?" he barked. Cameron instantly stopped, then sighed, "No, sir."

"I will also have you boys sign a no-contact order," he added.

I shook my hands, "Principal Davis, a no-contact order won't solve anything. I'll just shake his hand and be done with this." Principal Davis raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Ah, you're a better man, Mr. Wynter. Okay, shake his hand." We shook hands, but I knew deep in my mind that this wasn't the end. As we were leaving, Principal Davis added, "Mr. Wynter, stay behind for a second. I have some more words for you."

I sat back down in the chair. I pulled out my phone and placed it on my lap so I could record the conversation between us. This time, though, he was sterner, "Listen to me good, Scott Wynter. Cameron White's parents are members of the Arizona House of Representatives. Most of the donations we receive for extracurricular activities comes from the White family."

I was taken aback by this. None of this knowledge was useful to me in any way, shape, or form. Why was he telling me this?

"And you're telling me this because?" I asked.

"I don't want to jeopardize our financial status over some petty disagreement between two kids. Make nice with him for the sake of the school," he explained.

I was shocked. This man was the principal of a high school and he cared more about money than his own students.

"You're joking with me, sir. The money is the treasurer's business, not mine. And don't you dare be concerned over the school's financial status over the well-being of the student," I snapped.

"Without money, we can't fund our-" Principal Davis began. I didn't want to hear another word of what this man had to say.

"I'm seventeen, sir. I know how money works. I'm not daft."

Principal Davis sat silently in his chair. My tongue grew sharper.

"If you like your job, I'd suggest you start caring about the students. I'm pretty sure the superintendent would love for you to explain your words into further detail," I said.

Principal Davis's breath shortened, "Are you threatening me?"

I got out of my seat and started for the door. But I turned around, and with a devilish grin, I replied:

"No sir. It's a promise."

I walked out of the office and ran into Drake, Savannah, and Jessica.

"So, how'd it go?" Savannah asked.

"Well, Cameron got a day of in-school and a Friday extension and I've got the principal in my back pocket," I said.

"What do you mean?" Drake asked.

I explained to them what had happened between Principal Davis and me. They were equally shocked but not surprised.