Chapter 21
The police escorted me outside where we were greeted by more ambulances arriving on the scene. There were also television news crews and other reporters arriving as well. As soon as they saw us, they gave chase while bombarding me with questions. I smiled at the cameras but kept silent as the police hurriedly put me in the back seat of a patrol car and drove me toward the nearest station. While handcuffed and sitting there, I analyzed my situation and formulated an escape plan. As soon as we arrived at the station however, a call came over the car's radio that I was to be released because all charges against me had been dropped! After escorting me out of the car, my handcuffs were removed and I was led to an internment area. Two hours later Principal Taylor arrived and told me he had come to take me home!
"We are not going to discuss your behavior today in the cafeteria," he remarked. "The school has decided not to press charges only on the condition that you are on that airplane tomorrow returning to Canada as you previously stated. I'm also notifying your hometown high school of the situation and your status. I don't want to see you in my school again. If I do, I'll have you arrested for trespassing. Is that understood?"
"Yes. But I want you to know that Coach Pernell assaulted me for no justifiable cause."
"I am well aware of all the details of what took place this afternoon. I have more than enough eyewitness reports from both students and cafeteria employees. End of discussion."
He dropped me off in front of the Muller's house while remarking, "Goodbye, and have a pleasant journey home."
I said nothing in reply as I exited his car. Upon entering the house through the garage, I noticed Shannon's parked car. I guess I gave everyone a half day of school today, I thought while smiling. Stacy was on evening shift and had she already left for work. My ribs were still smarting, so I went into the family room to retrieve some bruise liniment—using up the last of it. I hadn't counted on needing this much when I had planned this venture and now it was all gone. I went upstairs to find Shannon. Her door was closed, so I knocked on it. She opened it and simply stood there staring at me. Her eyes were red and moist. I could tell she had been crying. Sitting on her bed was a tissue box and her opened diary with a pen beside it.
"What… do you want?" she finally asked with her voice breaking.
"I want to talk to you about what happened today in the cafeteria. I—"
"Did you have fun today, showing off just to impress her?" she asked with bitterness in her voice.
"Eh?"
"How many other people did you share the contents of my diary with? Did you and Reina enjoy yourselves while making fun of my personal thoughts and feelings?"
"Now wait a minute—"
"I have nothing more to say to you, Lance Rock. Our relationship is over! Just leave me alone and go make out with your little geisha. When it comes to girls, that's all you know how to do anyway." She slammed the door shut.
Her words cut like a knife and broke my heart. A sick, depressive feeling began to form in the pit of my stomach as I stood there both stunned and speechless. She hadn't even given me a chance to share my side of the story. That quick, she had made up her mind that I was… some kind of… gigolo. I couldn't begin to fathom how Reina knew the contents of her diary. It had to be pure coincidence. There was no other reasonable explanation. I was angry at Reina. She had feigned that she was going to honor my request to lay off physical contact. Instead, she did what she wanted regardless of how I felt. Plus, her being in the cafeteria at that particular time was a complete set-up. I would indeed meet with her and I would grill her until she answered my questions.
I decided to call the Cheponis' while asking to speak to Reina. When she found out it was me that was calling, she told Mrs. Cheponis to tell me that she was sick and that we would be unable to get together.
"Look, Mrs. Cheponis. I really need to speak to her."
"Hold on a minute."
"Hello," said Reina finally.
"What's going on Reina? Why are you treating me like this?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. You tricked me into rescuing you. The whole thing was a set-up. You kissed me when you agreed not to do that anymore and you intentionally said things that hurt and upset Shannon. It's as if you purposely planned on destroying my relationship with her! Why?"
"I am sorry. Honestly, I never intended to hurt you, my ronin. You truly are one of the nicest boys I have ever met. I liked you… very much. You are leaving tomorrow after lunch, right?"
"Yeah, but you haven't answered my question? Why did you do this? Why do you have it out for Shannon? You don't even sound sick!"
"I am sad that you are leaving, yet I am relieved as well. It was nice meeting you. Have a safe trip back to Canada tomorrow. You were an awesome kisser! Goodbye."
She hung up the phone. I couldn't believe it! I had never in all my life met someone who was such an enigma. And then she had the nerve to call me her ronin—the lone, wandering samurai. This conversation and her behavior triggered a warning deep in the back of my mind, but I was too emotionally drained to analyze it. I went and lay down on the couch. A short time later AJ came home. She excitedly rushed over to me.
"That is amazing what you did today," she exclaimed. "You're all over the internet. Check out these videos!"
"Not now, AJ. I'm too tired. I need to rest."
As dinnertime approached, I heard Shannon tell AJ to come with her because they would be eating out.
"What about Lance," AJ asked.
"He's not invited."
"Why not?"
"Look, AJ, are you coming with me or not? I don't care. Just make up your mind."
"But it's Lance's last night with us. At least, I think it is. I thought you—"
"I don't have time to stand here and argue with you," said Shannon annoyed. "I'm leaving. Are you coming or not?"
"No. I'm not leaving Lance alone by himself on his last night here."
"Fine," she curtly replied as she slammed the garage door closed on her way out.
AJ came into the room upset. I looked at her and sadly shook my head. "It's over between your sister and I. Something happened at school, after the fight. I think… she hates me now."
AJ sat down and put her arm around me while not saying a word. We sat there for several minutes. Finally, I asked, "What do you want to do for supper?"
"Pizza usually cheers me up when I'm depressed."
"Pizza it is," I said while forcing a smile.
After dinner, AJ asked if I wanted to swim in the pool with her just like last Friday night. "That would be a nostalgic way to end my stay here," I answered. We went swimming, but my heart wasn't in it. I was too depressed. After drying off, I sat down and took the photocopied diary page that Shannon had given to me. On the back I wrote; Shannon, I was only ever in love with YOU. I give you my word that I never shared the contents of your diary with anyone. Keep this as a memento that you were once in love with ME. I signed it, Your Diamond-in-the-Rough, Lance. I put it in an envelope.
"AJ, when I'm on that airplane tomorrow, I want you to give this to your sister, alright?"
She nodded her head yes. "You really are in love with her, aren't you?"
"Yeah, ever since I first saw her picture on her dresser."
My sleep that night was haunted by two disturbing dreams. In the first dream, Keith and Shannon were on a date at an expensive restaurant and I was there with them. Keith was aware of my presence, but Shannon wasn't! After we finished eating, we drove back to Keith's house. I followed them upstairs as he led Shannon into his bedroom with the explanation of wanting to show her his "trophy." As I continued to tag along, Keith finally turned to me and said, "Sorry, this room is off limits to you, remember? Now if you'll excuse me, I have to add another notch to my bedpost!" And with that he shut the door. I wanted to go in and warn her but I couldn't move. I was paralyzed! I felt helpless and at the same time, extremely jealous.
In the s
econd dream, I was saying goodbye to Shannon, AJ, and Stacy as I boarded the plane back to Canada. My heart was aching terribly as I looked at Shannon. I felt like crying. After sitting in the passenger seat and fastening my seatbelt, I looked out the window to see the girls on the tarmac waving goodbye to me. As I waved back, the three men from Wednesday—Kyle, Dwayne, and Rico—suddenly came up from behind them and then grabbed them! They screamed, and I tried to get out of my seat and get off the plane to help them. No matter how hard I tried however, I could not unfasten my seatbelt! The plane began taxing down the runway and in a panic, I shouted for help and pulled at the seatbelt but it would not unlock! I stared out the window as the girls faded into the distance while struggling to free themselves from their captors and holding out their hands—pleading for me to rescue them! I awoke in a cold sweat—shaking uncontrollably. I lay in bed for the next hour with my thoughts in turmoil.
At breakfast in which Shannon was absent, Stacy wanted to hear my side of the events which transpired yesterday at the school. She said there were countless, upset, angry parents, and there was also talk of a class action lawsuit. She said the hospital was a buzz of activity when she had arrived yesterday. She looked at me and commented, "It's probably a good thing you are leaving."
After eating breakfast and packing my luggage, Stacy asked, "Is there anything else I could do for you before you leave as another way of expressing my gratitude for what you did for us on Wednesday? Would you like me to drive you down into Hollywood, or was there anything else you would have liked to have seen?"
I thought for a moment and I replied, "I brought a camera with me, but I never got a chance to take any pictures. Last Sunday, when AJ and I were driving on the way up to Galeto Beach, I saw a scenic lookout that overlooked the ocean. I'd like to go back there and take some shots of that area, if that's okay with you?"
"Sure. When would you like us to go?"
"Actually, if it's also okay with you, I was wondering if I could drive myself… and… I was also hoping… I could take the Ferrari out for a spin one last time."
There was a look of surprise on her face. After a moment she replied, "I'll let you take it, since the damage has already been done."
I puzzled over what she meant, but the elation of being able to drive this car again quickly pushed it out of my mind.