This is a work of Fiction, and you must be 18 or older to read it. The Author, and host do not condone Underage Drinking.
The narrator alternates by chapter, with Character/Story Codes, so you can get multiple PoVs without resorting to 3rd Person Omniscient. Also, this one's got a soundtrack. The format is:
Artist - "Title" (Album/Remix)
- - -
Bradley Bourne (MFm NS Talk.)
I never worried about my son before I got a call from his school. I guess I should have, knowing he was driven, but instead I was proud of him. Winning a scholarship on his academic record alone, front runner for valedictorian without even a close second. All the most advanced classes the school could provide, and failing that, his record on the field could have won him a place on any college team.
Some might call that an over-achiever, and it wasn't about the money. I could easily afford tuition for anywhere, I even paid for his sister's schooling abroad, and pulled some strings to get her in, overseas. She's doing well enough in France, but not like Brody, the family genius. I don't know where he got his exceptional mind.
His rugged looks, his charm, and his tall broad shouldered frame, I can take credit for that, but even his mother's side of the family doesn't have any certifiable Genius. He could go to MIT, in fact he'd already been accepted, but this kind of thing on his record.
The principle told me what happened. "He attacked a female student." she said, her name, "Hildebrand Hoffman."
"Oh, they're going out."
"No," he gritted his teeth, and his hands trembled on the arms of the chair. "She broke up with me, and she wouldn't listen to reason!" Gripping them so tightly, the blood ran out of his fingers, and his spotless knuckles went white with the strain.
"That's no excuse for attacking her."
"I didn't attack her, is that what she told you, that I hit her?"
"In the halls," she shook her head. "There were witnesses. Are they all lying?"
"Listen, you control freak!"
"Brody." I stood behind him, rubbing his shoulders. "Calm down, don't make this worse. Relax." I can feel the tension, forming knots in the joint between his neck, and traps.
"There's no excuse for grabbing her in the halls, even if you didn't hit her. I have no choice but to suspend you, for the rest of the year."
"But that's not fair! I can't miss finals."
"Son. Son, relax. This isn't expulsion, or it won't go on your record as such, right? I'm sure she can find a way for you to pass the tests. Isn't that right, Ms. Proctor."
"Of course. There are ways that we can arrange for students to make up tests. Either after school, in detention hall, or the school will be open another week. You won't be failed regardless, and this has no bearing on your grades. You will still graduate, with honors depending on your final scores."
Sitting forward, leaning over her desk. "Now, I understand that you're under a lot of stress. I wasn't aware that you two were an item, and I must admit the faculty are a little out of touch with the student's relationships. However, Brody? They all look up to you, and as a role model, it's important that you don't set a bad example. You understand?"
"Yes, Miss Proctor." He relaxed, and took a deep breath. Let it out in a sigh, and finally the tension began to work out under my thumbs. He cracked his neck, and took another breath. "I'm sorry."
"You can clean out your lockers when you come in for your final exams. Get some rest, clear your head, and try to reconcile your problems with Hilda."
"I will, thanks."
"Go out, and cool off. Get some water or something, and try to stay out of trouble, while we talk about what we can do, to repair the damage."
He looked tired, and I sat down, while he slowly pulled the door after him.
"Thanks for that." She nodded, tight lipped. "And you don't have to worry about the foundation's generous contributions to the labs here. I know how important state run Polytechnic schools like this are, for all gifted students with an interest in science, and engineering."
"I'm not worried about the money, I'm worried about his state of mind. I don't know that he can handle the stress, and he might need a year off."
"What's your professional opinion, Doctor." She doesn't like Doctor Proctor for obvious reasons. Gifted students notwithstanding, they're still schoolkids, but she has impressive degrees in Child, and Adolescent psychology from Duke.
"I don't know, if the usual vacation in Europe is going to do it. He's strong, but that may be a problem in, and of itself. You saw how he reacted with fear of Failure. He's taking this breakup personally, and lashing out with verbal violence. As for the assault, it's not serious enough to warrant an arrest, or criminal charges. She turned her back on him, and he just grabbed her shoulder, but he overpowered her."
She paused, and looked serious, changing her tone to stress this: "Unfortunately, this is the kind of behavior that tends to escalate."
"You don't think he's capable of turning into a wife beater?"
"I don't know, but he's leaving in a week. After that, he's out of my hands, but you're concerned about him, too."
She can tell, very empathic. "Well, as you know, he is 18 now. Legally not a minor, and I have to admit, also sexually active." She nodded, but didn't try to hide her smile. Hinting at something else. Outside of her professional duties, but right here in her office. "I suppose, he could learn some Discipline. After school, I have a place I could send him." Getting up, "I'll give you a call."
After the Principal/Student relationship expires. She has a career to worry about too, but for his sake, I hope she's right. I don't know, I'm not the head shrinker, just an owner of several properties in multiple cities, but she knows the one.
She'll need time to change into her costume, anyway. Next week, hopefully it won't have to wait for graduation, but for now, I need a more immediate solution. "Go get the car." Bringing up contacts, while he jogs off for the parking lot, and speed-dial my Mistress.
"What do you want?"
"It's not for me, so you can cut the act."
"Oh, who?" She doesn't even hazard a guess, but she's worked for some of my executives as well.
"My son is having trouble in school, so he needs to be taught a lesson in Humility. Board room 3, in an hour." Click.
Not so much as a Yes, Sir. This isn't for me, it's for his future. I hope we're not too late.
- - -
Brandi (Ff NS Talk)
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I just wanted to touch base, and followup on the incident at lunch."
Taking my seat, "I don't want to get him in trouble, and I heard he was expelled?"
"No, merely suspended, so he could have some time to cool off. However, I have to say that we have noticed a dangerous influence, in our school. I wonder, have you perhaps heard of a book called 50 Shades of Grey?" (C) 2011 E. L. James, All Rights Reserved.
"Of course, everyone's talking about it, but I didn't bring any of them to school."
"So, you've read it."