Her hysterics suspend the meeting

A pretty brunette steps into the room, her face anxious and uncertain. She looks around the room as though seeking a friendly face, smiling nervously at Mason and Brian.

"Take a seat Miss Cummins," Diana says in a kindly tone. The girl glances around, looking for a place. Her father gestures to the empty chair next to him but she pulls a hard backed chair between Mason and Diana.

"We've brought your parents up to date on your status at this institution Miss Cummins," the Headmistress says. "I thought it was appropriate for you to be here. To give you the opportunity to say anything on your own behalf."

"Um...I'm sorry...That I behaved badly," Valerie says quietly, obviously struggling for words. "Mr. Carter and Coach Watts, they've like showed me...how much I was hurting people...and myself...and...I'm gonna try real hard...to be a good girl from now on..."

"Well, I'm not going to let them paddle you," her father says firmly. "I'm thinking very seriously of taking you out of this place. Enrolling you in some school that....."

Valerie's scream interrupts him, making you and everyone in the room jump in surprise. "You're not taking me out of here! You're not! I won't go! You're not! Don't you dare!" She's staring at her father, her face scarlet with rage, tears streaming from her eyes as she slams her fists on her knees. He looks at her in shocked horror, his mouth moving but saying nothing, his eyes looking wounded and frightened.

"Sweetie, I just meant..." he begins weakly, only to be cut off by her again.

"I'm not your sweetie! You don't care about me! You don't care at all! I hate you! I fucking hate you!" she shrieks, collapsing into hysterical sobs and bending over in her chair. Diana reaches out and strokes her back, murmuring comfort, and Valerie leans into her sobbing like a child. Her father sits in horror, her mother rises as though to approach her then sits back, her stepmother looking on placidly. Brian looks appalled, and Mason looks deeply concerned.

"If you take me out I'll...I'll...I don't know what I'll do!" Valerie wails as Diana comforts her.

"Tell Miss Holliday to call the nurse," Diana tells Mason as she holds the distraught teen, her eyes flinty as she looks at Valerie's father.

He nods and goes to the door, while Diana makes a gesture at the couch, effectively ordering you and Brian to get up. The two of you rise as Diana leads the distraught student there and lays her down, murmuring soothing words. Cummins half rises out of his chair but stops and sinks back when you glance at him, dropping his eyes to the floor. Brian and you remain standing, your bodies between the sobbing girl and her parents.

Mason returns and reports that the nurse is on her way, and for the next few minutes the only sound in the room is Valerie's heartbroken sobbing and Diana's quiet comforting murmurs.

Nurse Madison Wulf, who you met earlier in the day arrives soon after. She glances around the room, gives you a brief smile then quickly moves to the couch and kneels beside the sobbing girl. She and Diana exchange a few quite words before the headmistress rises, a look of concern on her face.

"This meeting is suspended for the moment. If your schedules allow we can continue it tomorrow, but I think it best that, given the circumstances we stop here for now."

"Why can't this nurse take Valerie somewhere?" Cummins says. You tense and take a deep breath to control the spurt of anger inside you and you see both Brian and Mason glare at the man. Before anyone can speak Nurse Wulf turns and snaps at him.

"If I take Valerie out of here in this condition it will be all over the school in twenty minutes and she'll be the subject of gossip and most likely harassment. She's staying here until I determine what to do. And you can all get out now," she glares around the room, but her main scorn is directed at Valerie's father.

"Quite right," Diana says before anyone can react. She steps to her office door and holds it open, her face a command to leave. For a moment Cummins seems inclined to argue the point, but his resolve weakens as he glances around seeing no support. Taking his young wife's arm he exits the room, trying to muster as much dignity as possible. The rest of you follow, and the Headmistress shuts the door of her office and faces the group.

"You are welcome to join the students and faculty for dinner if you choose. There are a few decent places to stay in town, and Miss Holliday," she nods at her white haired secretary, "will be happy to make arrangements for you if you intend to spend the night."

"I'll make my own arrangements," Valerie's father says petulantly.

"As you wish. We can meet tomorrow at noon, if that suits you."

"I want to meet earlier," he says with the same petulant tone as both his wife and his ex-wife roll their eyes, the latter more obviously.

"Noon. This school and these teachers are responsible more than one student and one set of parents. We will meet at noon, with any or all of you who see fit to attend. Until that time, or until dinner if you choose to join us, I bid you all good day."

With a snort, the father strides out, followed by his young wife who glances back for a moment before leaving. Valerie's mother nods to each of you, holding out her hand.

"Thank you for your concern for my daughter. I very much appreciate it. And thank you for the invitation to dinner, but I think it might be best for Valerie if her parents aren't in evidence on the first day of school. I already booked accommodations, so I won't be needing assistance. Until tomorrow." She smiles at each of you before departing.

Diana expels a long breath, shaking her head.

"That man brings out the worst in me. No wonder his daughter has behavioural issues. Thank you for your support gentlemen. And your professionalism."

"From where I stand it looks like you could have handled that bunch on your own," Brian smiles. "Well done." You and Mason murmur agreements, and the young headmistress blushes slightly and nods.

"Thank you. And thank you again for your support. Dean Hawkfeather, if I might have a quick word?" she says, looking at you.

You nod as the other two step to the door, Brian pausing to look back at her for a moment before following Mason into the corridor, shutting the door behind him.