“For what?” I counter.
This time the sigh George lets out is so overly exaggerated his lips bounce off each other. I wonder if he has kids, and if so, whether they’re girls? My uncles say girls are the worst to raise.
“I don’t understand why you corrected me in reference to your father.”
“Oh, because he’s my dad, not my father. It’s a long story and one I’m not willing to share right now, but would appreciate it if you referred to my dad… well, as my dad.”
George shakes his head. I get it, it’s complicated, but it’s mine and Peyton’s complication, and we’re pretty adamant that the parental distinction stays in place.
“As I was saying, I spoke with your dad…” he looks, maybe for confirmation? I nod and smile, waiting for him to continue. George clears his throat. “As you can probably assume, he’s worried about you and your grades and asked that we do whatever we can to get you back on track and prepared for your quarter-final.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice in the manner, Elle. As of right now, you’re on academic probation.”
“Meaning what exactly?”
“Meaning, moving forward you must attend and pass each and every class. You are also required to attend mandatory study and tutoring session.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m not. Elle, you’re a good student who has had a rush of bad luck. You still have time to fix your grades and graduate with your class, but you have to put in the work. Your dad agrees.”
“This is unbelievable.” I’m on the verge of tears and do everything I can to keep them at bay. George Tesh doesn’t need to see my weaknesses.
“It’s for the best. If you choose not to participate in the plan, you’ll be expelled at the beginning of next quarter.”
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from lashing out. Something tells me this guy is trying to win my dad over. This feels like George is going above and beyond for his own cause. Who cares if I want to drop out of school or fail? Shouldn’t that be my choice or one I make with my parents?
“Am I done here?”
“Sure,” he says, nodding.
As soon as I’m out of the building, my phone is to my ear. It rings three times before my dad’s voice answers. “Ho
w could you do this to me?”
“Hello, Dad. Even though I saw you the other day, I miss you terribly.”
I roll my eyes. “Be serious.”
“I’m always serious when it comes to you, and your sister and brother. You’re my life. You know this.”
“But why this? Your brown-nosing buddy is threatening to expel me.”
“I know, and believe me, your mom and I thought long and hard about it, but things have to change, Elle. You can’t continue down this path. It’s not healthy.”
“I’m not doing anything wrong,” I say through my clenched jaw. “Why couldn’t we talk about this when I was home?”
My dad sighs and I can tell he’s moving from wherever he is to another room. He’s probably in the studio, which means he dropped whatever the band is doing or working on to take my call. That thought has my tears flowing. Most of my friends don’t have parents like I do, I should be grateful and appreciative of what they’re doing for me.
“Princess, it’s not that your mom and I think you’re doing anything wrong. We’re concerned with the partying and your grades. Before Peyton’s accident, you were a straight-A student, on the Dean’s List, and receiving awards. Now—”
“Now I’m just a giant fu—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Elle James.”
“But it’s true, right, Daddy?” A sob breaks out before I have a chance to cover my mouth in order to hold it in. I can disappoint everyone around me, but it kills me to think my parents might feel this way about me.