Second meeting with the Cummings family

Arriving back at school you check your watch as you park in the underground lot. It's just before noon, and you're going to have to hurry to be on time for the meeting with Valerie's parents. You lock your purchases in the trunk and stride quickly towards the main building.

Stepping into the headmistresses outer office, you see the door to her sanctum standing open, her secretary nods and points with a pen at the door, and you step through to see that you're the last to arrive.

"Great, we're all here," Ms. Naylor says as you close the door behind you and take a seat. Valerie is sitting beside the headmistress, her lips pressed together but looking in control of herself and determined. She gives you a quick glance as you sit and you see a flicker of happiness in her eyes.

"Valerie, if you're feeling up to it, why don't you tell us how you feel?" Ms. Naylor says, her voice full of concern and encouragement.

"Coach Watts and Mr. Carter, they've helped me," the girl begins. "Showed me how mean I was being. And promised to help me be a better person. And Coach Watts says I can play, as long as I keep improving. This is really important to me." She looks directly at her father, her face confident and defiant. "I don't want to go to another school. I want to stay here. I want to be a better person. And I want help. And I want to play."

"I'm not sure..." her father begins.

"I'm sure," Valerie interrupts him, her voice trembling slightly. "You always make decisions for me, but this one I have to make for myself. I don't want to leave Pink Rose. I won't."

"Valerie's right," her stepmother says with a kindly smile and a glance at Brian. "If staying here helps her, then she should stay." She turns to her husband and puts a hand on her arm. "I love it up here. It's so quiet and relaxing. I could book a hotel room and stay up here for a while so I'm close by if Valerie needs me." She smiles at her stepdaughter who looks back at her with a surprised frown but says nothing.

"I agree," Deborah Cummins adds, giving the younger woman a suspicious glance. "At least about Valerie staying here. It's important that she's a part of the decision, the most important part of the decision in my view."

Valerie's father looks sulky, glancing at his young wife as though he feels betrayed, but nods his head in surrender. "I suppose we can try it," he says grudgingly then looks at Suzanne. "Are you sure you want to spend time up in this backwater? You'll be bored to ****."

"But you're so busy darling," the pretty young blonde answers with a smile. "And its important Valerie gets all the help she needs."

You see a glance pass between her and Brian and you have no doubt that the stepmother's plan has more to do with getting fucked by your roommate than helping Valerie. You see Deborah frowning slightly, but then looks at you with a fleeting smile. Dean Hawkfeather sits silent and watchful, his eyes sliding over the Cummins family as if appraising them. Ms. Naylor watches with narrowed, thoughtful eyes, then turns to Valerie with a protective smile.

"I think that's settled then," she says to the worried looking teen. "As long as you continue to show progress there will be no further action taken on this matter. But I remind you that you are effectively on probation Miss Cummins. Any serious breaches of behaviour will be dealt with severely."

"Yes Headmistress," Valerie says quietly. "Thank you Headmistress."

"You're welcome. You may go." Valerie stand up and smooths her skirt demurely, then gives perfunctory hugs of farewell to her family before turning to the door. She gives you a quick smouldering glance and a hint of a smile as she leaves, shutting the door behind her.

"I think that went well," Ms. Naylor says. "Does anyone have anything else?"

Valerie's father still looks sulky, but stays quiet and everyone else shakes their head. The Headmistress stands and thanks everyone for coming, offering smiles and congratulations as the Cummins family files out the door. Deborah Cummins gives you a lingering glance and a smile before the door shuts behind her and Ms. Naylor turns to the three of you remaining.

"Excellent work gentlemen, and thank you for your support. Please inform me immediately if there are any problems with Miss Cummins. I'd hate to think that she's play acting, but her track record here is not very good." Brian and you nod agreement, while Dean Hawkfeather smiles tightly.

"I'll let you go for lunch. Thanks again," she smiles as she steps towards her desk, obviously dismissing you.

"Actually Headmistress, I'd like a quick word on another matter," Dean Hawkfeather says. Ms. Naylor looks slightly surprised, even a bit flustered, but nods agreement as you and Brian leave the office.