The Unknown

To tell or not to tell

Julie's pov

Riding the bus home from school, I reached out to my sisters for advice on my dilemma. Do I come clean and tell Mike and Shane I skipped English class and study hall and earned myself two office detentions or do I lie through my teeth in an attempt to spare myself an assuredly unpleasant punishment? To tell or not to tell? That is the question.

"It's kind of a lot to try and get away with to be honest, Julie," Lisa says, mulling it over. "I mean, you have to hide skipping class and two days of coming home late due to office detentions."

"Nah, it's not that hard. You can do it, cuz. I have faith in your deceptive capabilities," Stacey weighs in, favoring not telling Mike and Shane.

"I think you already know what I would advise you to do," Carrie says, ever so innocently.

Meanwhile at the Foundation

Mike's pov

"Horton and Donovan, MY OFFICE NOW!"

Shane and I hear Neil yelling for us outside his office even though we're at the other end of a long hallway.

"What did you do to piss him off, Shane?" I ask, as I stand outside his open door waiting for him to leave his office and meet me in the hallway.

"Me? I didn't do anything. It must be you he's pissed at," Shane defends.

"No, I know I haven't done anything to anger him. Well, nothing more than the usual," I state.

"QUIT YOUR COFFEE CLUTCHIN,' LADIES AND GET YOUR ASSES IN HERE NOW!" Neil shouts, glaring directly at us.

Shane and I roll our eyes and take a couple of deep breaths as we head to Neil's office to face the music. Neil slams his office door shut as soon as Shane and I enter.

"Sit down, gentlemen," Neil orders, pointing to two chairs in front of his desk.

We reluctantly sit and ready ourselves for Neil's oncoming tirade.

"WHY DID I JUST RECEIVE A CALL FROM ONE OF YOUR WAYWARD DAUGHTER'S TEACHERS ABOUT HER SKIPPING ENGLISH CLASS?" Neil's face is reddening as he unleashes on us. "ISN'T THIS SOMETHING THE TWO OF YOU CAN HANDLE?" The vein in his forehead is really bulging now. "DON'T YOU THINK I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH MY TIME THAN DEAL WITH THESE TRIVIAL MATTERS?"

Shane and I have learned by now it's best not to interrupt Neil until he's done venting.

"I MEAN, GOOD LORD, THE GIRL HAS NOT ONE BUT TWO GUARDIANS WHO SHOULD BE WELL EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. DO I NEED TO HAVE A MORE EXPERIENCED GUARDIAN PUT THE TWO OF YOU THROUGH TRAINING AGAIN, FOR CHRISSAKE?"

It appears Neil is actually expecting a response from us this time.

"No sir, that won't be necessary," I say, hoping to appease Neil and shorten the duration of this beatdown. No such luck.

"WHY DO I EVEN HAVE THE TWO OF YOU AROUND IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS THIS? DO I HAVE TO HOLD YOUR HAND WHEN YOU CROSS THE STREET, DONOVAN?" Neil pauses, hands on his hips, waiting for Shane's response.

"No sir," Shane answers immediately, upon realizing the question wasn't rhetorical.

"DO I HAVE TO WIPE FOR YOU, HORTON, AFTER YOU USE THE JOHN?"

"I certainly hope not, sir," I reply humbly.

"WELL, THEN WHAT ARE THE TWO OF YOU WAITING FOR? HAVEN'T YOU WASTED ENOUGH OF MY GODDAMN TIME? GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE AND GET BACK TO WORK AND DEAL WITH YOUR DAUGHTER ON YOUR OWN TIME, WHEN YOU GET HOME."