"Sydney Thornton" I look up and see a middle-aged woman walk into the little office. She had a look of shock and what I thought was pitty as she addressed me. "Never thought you'd be sitting in my office," She says while looking at me straight-faced.

"Peterkin" I nod as she turns to look at me, "First time for everything," I say sarcastically, instantly regretting it as I see her frown of disapproval. I look down at my hands in my lap as she slowly starts again, "Why would a good kid like you risk their reputation by assaulting somebody?"

I look up at her again as I try to explain what happened, "I didn't assault him.....I mean, I did. But it wasn't on purpose. It was an accident" She comes around the desk and perches herself on top so she's facing me the whole time, "Accident or not he still had to go to the hospital with his injury" She says calmly.

Looking back down at my hands, Peterkin continues with "You're luck he didn't press charges. Probably because he's friends with your father" I stiffen the slightest bit at the mention of my father "It won't happen again" I say quickly in hopes of getting out of this situation, but yet again no such luck.

"I know it won't," she says standing up and heading around the desk to the phone, "I suppose I should call your mother, and let her know what's going on." My head snaps up instantly and i see Peterkin with her hand around the phone about to dial. 

'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Mom's going to be pissed...no not pissed, fucking livid if she finds out I accidentally assaulted a guy'  

"No sherrif, please. Don't tell her. She can't know why I went to Howard" I plead hoping that Peterkin would be kind enough to not at least not get her involved, which would save me from an Akwarad conversation it ultimately would end up bringing up.  To my relief, she puts the phone back down and turns to face me again, "If I stick my neck out for you, you have to tell me why you wanted to talk to Howard".

I just sit there in silence as I scream at myself internally 'FUCKING SHIT! GOD DAMIT SYDNEY! YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH FUCKING SHUT!' I guess my mental screaming at myself caused me to frown, which Peterkin used to her advantage, "So tell me", "I just wanted to know something about my dad" I say a little to quickly, "What about?" I look straight at her and use what my brother calls "little Miss Sad and Lonely Victim" look and lie....

Now I know what you must be thinking like Sydney you're lying to an officer who could easily give you a misdemeanor if she notices, I know, but what other choice did I have? I can't tell her that, something fishy is going on and how John B's dead dad might also be involved without sounding batshit crazy.

So I go the simple route, "I just wanted to know how he was doing, because I miss him" I will myself to bring at least at tear so I can fully sell this "Howard doesn't exactly like me. So he got all weird and tried to call the cops" Peterkin looked at me skeptically before asking, "Is that the truth?"

"Yes" I say again a little too quickly, hoping that my quick response doesn't make her even more skeptical. But all she does is sigh and turn back around.

--------------------------------------

About twenty minutes later Shoupe tells me that Kie's dad Mike has come to pick me up. Quickly following after Mike who's obviously angry, he starts with his dad role, "Can't Believe what I'm hearing Sydney, assault? Your better than this" 

"Dad" Kie trys to interject but a pissed Mike shuts her down "Cut it" I look at the ground as the 3 of us walk to Carrera's car, "Thank you, Mr. C" 

"Don't thank me" He says storming ahead of both me and kie, once we finally approach the car he angrily opens the door and says "Get in"

"Give me a sec" Kie says turning to the passenger side door rolled down window, before turning back to me, "Did you tell them?" I shake my head and bluntly say "No I lied" 

"Why wouldn't you tell them Syd?" Kie says slightly annoyed, "Kiara" Mike yells again, Kie looks at me disappointed and turns to get in the car "Gotta go." I just stand there as I watch Kie and her dad drive away.