Virginia was trying to think of ways to tell Charles. There was so much to talk about. What if he becomes freaked out and doesn't want to be near me anymore?
With all the details of her past running through her mind, she realized that she needed to simplify and possibly avoid any material that could present a problem.
A long BEEP echoed in the room, followed by Principal Jefferson's voice coming over the loudspeaker: "Would Virginia Singerman please come to the office? Virginia Singerman, to the office, please."
Virginia froze. All the eyes of her peers stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Those taking notes in the front stopped writing in midsentence. Those still waking up became alert, and those chatting in the back of the room stopped in the middle of their conversations. Even Professor Domsworth stopped his lecture. All eyes fixed on her.
"Oh!" shouted one of the students in the back beside Virginia. "It's always the quiet ones that you have to watch out for!"
"Silence, Williams!" ordered Domsworth. "Just because you are called to the office does not mean you are in trouble."
The professor turned his attention to Virginia.
"You can wait here, Virginia, for the next couple of minutes if you would like," he said. "This period is almost over, and the bell is about to ring. You may go then if you would like."
Virginia nodded her head, accepting Domsworth's request.
"Very well," said Domsworth.
He then turned around and continued with the last few minutes of his lecture and scheduling homework assignments.
Principal Jefferson took a sip of his coffee. "I just don't see how this young girl could possibly be involved with this grand scheme of narcotics. After all, she just enrolled in our school only a few days ago."
Dark Cry leaned forward in his chair. "Sir, let me ask you about your personal opinion of this girl's character. Does she seem to be quiet all the time and talk very little—or not at all, for that matter?"
"Well, she did seem a bit shy at first when she came into my office with her uncle when she first enrolled, but I don't see how that's the main reason for your suspicions."
"Let's not forget, sir; our suspicions are based on evidence and a personal testimony by one of the culprits. What I'm trying to do is understand the girl's emotional behavior. Usually, the drugs themselves, or even a life of dealing and running narcotics, can emotionally disrupt a teenager's mind. For instance, she might have seen someone shot before. She could have seen someone die of an overdose. Usually, these symptoms cause distress, anxiety, or even, in most cases, complete and total withdrawal from reality—as if she were not in the room. She might try to hide her face because she could feel responsible for something bad that happened. Does this sound like her? Does she seem like she's trying to hide her face in any way?"
Jefferson turned his head and stared aimlessly at the far corner of his desk. "Yeah, come to think of it, she always wears this purple hoodie over her head…"
"That's a classic sign, sir. Now, of course, assuming that she was not a criminal, a jacket like this could easily be nothing more than a piece of her wardrobe, but considering this girl's past reputation, she could fit the profile of the person we are looking for. Sir, if we are right, she could be dealing drugs to the students in your school right now."
Jefferson's eyes became inflamed. "We'll see about that!"
He pulled over his microphone.
"And remember," said Domsworth, "this assignment is twenty-five percent of your final grade. So, it is important that you start as soon as possible—possibly tonight, for instance. Instead of going out, partying, and hanging out with your friends, take some time tonight to get a leg up on this. Sacrifices must be made to achieve greatness."
Another loud BEEP followed by a loud, intolerant voice sounded through the school speakers. "Would Virginia Singerman please report to the office!"
Virginia sank into her seat. She could feel the sweat covering her face.
"Yeah, coming from one that has been to the office on more than one occasion, Jefferson only raises his voice like that when he threatens to expel a student," teased Williams.
"Williams, while all of the other students have only a thousand words to write, I'm scheduling your report to be two thousand," instructed Domsworth.
"What?!" exclaimed Williams. "But that is twenty-five percent of my final grade! I can't write that much in one night!"
Domsworth rolled his eyes. "Williams, if you were paying attention, you would have noted that the assignment is due two months from now. Nevertheless, it will look bad on your overall grade, all the same, should you fail to turn it in by then."
Williams' face turned red. He then looked down at his desk for the remainder of the class.
Domsworth looked with disgust at the loudspeaker on the wall. "Could Jefferson become any more unprofessional?"
He looked at Virginia. "Virginia, you stay right there in your seat and wait with everyone else. Should Principal Jefferson have a problem with that, tell him I told you to stay here, and he can take it up with me."
But Domsworth's proposal was only enjoyed for a few seconds. The warning bell rang loudly throughout the school. All the students shot out of their chairs and filled the hallways of Mason High. Virginia was the last one out. With her backpack strapped over both shoulders, she walked out into the hallway. She felt as if all the eyes of every student were on her. She wished that she had brought her hoodie. At least that way, she could escape their eyes.
She walked down the hall towards the main hallway. Turning left, she pushed through the crowd of students and made her way to the principal's office. In all the shoving and pushing of the waves of students, she felt someone grab her backpack from behind. Instantly, she became horrified, and without thinking, she spun around to face whoever it was.
"Hey, you!" said the person.
Virginia let out a sigh of relief. "Charles, you scared me!"
"Oh, I'm sorry! My bad."
"It's okay. It's fine."
"Man, Jefferson sounded really upset over the intercom. Is everything okay?"
"I'm not so sure," replied Virginia.
"Well, how about I come with you?" suggested Charles. "If there is an issue that I can help with, I'll do my best. Jefferson and I usually see eye-to-eye on a lot of things."
Virginia felt a huge burden lifted off her shoulders. "That would be so great. Thank you!"
Together, Charles and Virginia plowed their way through the current of students toward Jefferson's office.