Rain pattered down on the family's beat up grey Subaru. The sky above was a dark grey, as it had been for about an hour now. Jullie rested her pale head against the slightly stained backseat window, arms crossed over her chest to keep herself warm. The girl's black sweatshirt hung loosely over her arms, she being a tad thinner than the size of the clothing item. Her parents had never been rich, nor were they poor though. So things would sometimes fit, and sometimes wouldn't.
Nancy Fairsway glanced back at her daughter from the passenger seat. At a prime age of thirty nine, the woman still looked like she was in her early twenties. Bright golden hair hung down to her shoulders, headband usually keeping pesky bangs out of her way. Her figure wasn't much like that of an hour glass, a curve or two here and there. But she hadn't ever wanted that kind of look, finding herself always comfortable in her body. That day, she wore a blue blouse with ruffles on the sleeves and black pants, a loose black jacket over her blouse. Wearing such a bland outfit usually meant a day of sitting at home to do her work, the smell of freshly brewed coffee to fill her nose and classical music to occupy her mind. But that day was quite unlike others. And the reason sat right in front of her sea-green eyes.
She had been very worried about her daughter ever since the day her school had called. They had seemed distressed, calling the woman down to the office right away. Having been in bed on her laptop, the woman had arrived in the nicest dress that she could put on in just a few moments. Her shoes had clapped against the tile flooring of the school, echoing through the empty hallways. Students at their lockers or the bathrooms had given her the oddest of looks, not understanding why the strange and frazzled woman was running about the school. While it was true Nancy rarely came to the school, she had attended every recital for her daughter, every parent event, and had even chaperoned for a school trip once... However, Jullie had only done those things in elementary school. That had been years and years ago.
After what seemed like an agonizing eternity, Nancy practically burst into the main office. A lady at the desk meekly led her into the principal's office, giving her a look of confusion. But the woman was only fixated on her daughter. Jules had been sitting in one of the three chairs facing the office desk, and gave her mother a glance when she came in. A nod of her head and biting of her inner cheek was the only sign the mother had that her daughter was aware of her presence. She missed the eye-roll accompanying these actions.
"Mrs. Fairsway, thank you for joining us." the principal said, making Nancy turn to him. Principal Jones was a tiny man, bald head and large eyes behind his thick, round spectacles. He always wore a button-down plaid shirt over his large stomach with long khakis that seemed to always have a mustard stain on the left leg near the ankle. Jullie had always assumed he ate the school's hot-dogs in office cross-legged, and was just a messy eater. Or didn't get the concept of napkins.
Jones' voice was close between that of a squeaking mouse or a dog toy meant to grasp the animal's attention. Whichever was most annoying to a person, really. He always looked like one to have a stutter, or even just shaky hands, but no matter how hard one listened or looked, neither were there.
"Um, why not you have a seat, Nancy. We've a lot to discuss." The blonde woman faintly nodded, sitting beside her daughter and folding her hands to her lap. The teenage girl had sighed, leaning forward with her elbows to her knees and her hands hanging towards the ground. "Mr. Jones, I really just think you're overreacting. It's just some silly art projects and stories- and, and none of the rumors have been proven to be true!"
"That may be, Miss Jules," the man said, shuffling some papers and peering over his spectacles at her. "But we've evidence of our own, and must take every precaution. Besides, your parents should be aware of these things should you really need help. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
Jullie let out a short and irritated breath, sinking back into her chair and folding her arms over her chest. She mumbled out the words, "Says the man who's not being called out as crazy." Nancy lightly smacked her daughter on the knee, a critical eye warning her to be more polite with the man. She then turned back to the small man facing them both.
