TIME & TIED: ESCALATION

ARC 2.2 - To the Future

PART 33a: JULIE’S SECRET 1

Principal Dell A. Hunt let out a sigh as he drove in to work. His job had its ups and downs, to be sure, yet for some reason the downs were outweighing the ups of late. Especially surrounding that one student: Julie LaMille.

Her requests were becoming persistent, and he couldn't get any information from her parents, as he had been unable to contact them directly. "I wonder what she'll have to say this week," he mused aloud to himself as he pulled into the school parking lot.

She was standing near his parking space. Over an hour before classes would start. “We’re starting early today," he realized. Upon exiting his vehicle, Mr. Hunt leaned back against it, letting her approach and have the first words. She cleared her throat.

"It's November 12th. We have to end this today," Julie stated simply.

Mr. Hunt pursed his lips. "Inside," he decided.

***

When Mr. Hunt made the offer to sit down, Julie accepted. She hoped that the concession to his current position of superiority would make him more amenable to her news.

She then waited patiently as Mr. Hunt closed the door to his office, and walked around to stand behind his desk. "All right," the principal said. "Explain. What do you mean by 'we must end things today'?"

"Very simply put, the date I've been anticipating has finally arrived," Julie responded. “Something will occur today, a major event, one that cannot be resolved peacefully unless you have my cooperation. You know what that means."

The principal leaned forwards, placing his palms flat on his desk. "Miss LaMille. I grant that you have been "predicting" events for me for over a month. From incidents as large as the discovery of those drugs in one student’s locker, down to Mrs. Latour's missing potted plant. I also grant that the incidents are too varied to be traced back to you directly, and that the faculty have been unable to prevent them. Yet do you remember what I said to you in this very room, after school, on the day we discovered those drugs?"

"Of course. You told me that you would not grant any requests merely because I provided you with some advance information," Julie recalled.

“My position on that has not changed."

"But this is IMPORTANT!" That sounded too desperate. She worked to reign in her emotions. “You need me on your side today," Julie continued more calmly. "If I don't defuse the situation, hostilities may well break out between certain factions of students."

Mr. Hunt regarded her quietly for a moment. “Let’s go off the record here,” he decided. “Contrary to popular belief, I am not blind as to what goes on in my school. I know about your disagreements with Corry Veniti, and I know that the two of you have spent years polarizing the student body. To that end, it seems likely that you - or your friends - have had a hand in most, if not all, of your "predicted" events. Granted, I have no proof. Still, if this major event today is in the same vein, and you are using it to threaten this administration..."

"No,” Julie gasped. She took in a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut. “Okay. Cards on the table.”

She met his gaze anew. “You’re right. I may have played a part in some of the events I revealed to you. But you of all people must realize that knowing about something, and being able to stop it - those are two very different things. I can guarantee to you that I will have no say in what happens today. Only in how the events play out around the school. And I'm willing to be on your side. To keep damage to a minimum. All it takes is a simple signature.”

The principal slowly shook his head. "Miss LaMille, your continued requests for my signature on that document are unreasonable. It would give you full control of the school."

He paused to size Julie up once again. “Know that I am not unsympathetic. I do want to help you. That is why I have allowed things to go on for as long as they have. However, until you agree to see a guidance counsellor, or some other specialist concerning these control issues of yours... there is nothing further for us to discuss here.”

"But..." Julie flexed her hands, mind whirling. She was fast running out of options. However, a last ditch idea was taking shape in her mind. “A compromise then. Sign the school over to me, for today. Just for today. If you do that, I... I will voluntarily attend your guidance sessions. Starting tomorrow."

"I will not be blackmailed."

"It's NOT blackmail!” Julie protested. She fought down the urge to scream. "Listen, give me today. You don't even have to change your routine. Whatever you do, you merely tell me first, so that I can make a point of approving it. I’m sure I won’t contradict you - why would I need to? In return, I will seek whatever counselling you recommend."

Silence. Then, “What guarantee--"

"I'll co-sign a separate paper with you on the counselling subject," Julie interrupted. “You get what you want, and I get what I want. In fact, you get more, because with me controlling the school, I’ll have to take care of the upcoming situation with Corry in the most diplomatic way possible. Consider this a learning experience for me. Please, Mr. Hunt. You might even be surprised by some of the things I know, not only about everything that happens in this school, but about how to run an organization smoothly.”

Julie took in a deep breath, feeling her nails digging into her palms. "Also, it's my birthday today,” she admitted. “So if you find yourself needing an excuse to fall back on for the faculty, you can use that. All right? How about it? What do you say?"

***

Mr. Hunt finally sat down in his chair. Julie’s tone held more than a hint of desperation - but her gaze was determined. More to the point, he saw pain lurking behind her outward expression. This teenager needed help. Was agreeing to her request the only way to ensure that she got the necessary treatment? It was starting to look that way.

He knew the LaMille girl well enough by now to recognize that she wouldn’t simply dismiss any contract she put her name to. Moreover, her proposal actually made sense, to a certain degree. ‘This also wouldn’t be the first time I’ve ever gone out on a limb to help a student,' the principal reflected.

"Miss LaMille," Mr. Hunt began. "I will agree to your proposal, subject to three conditions."

"Name them," Julie said.

"First, I want copies of any documents we sign. Particularly the one which ensures your compliance with a counselling session."

"Done," Julie agreed quickly.

"Second, I want your assurance that no one will be harmed by any action you take while at school today. Such an event would void our agreement."

“That’s fair," Julie yielded.

"And finally... I would like to know why this one act of scholastic control means so much to you."

***

Julie felt her heart drop. She had never revealed her true motive to anyone before. Even at that boarding school in England, she’d never gone into detail. However, she couldn't take the risk of lying now! Not with so much at stake. So... perhaps a half truth would be enough.

"It's..." Julie faltered, as she felt her body start to shake. No, not now, get ahold of yourself, stupid! Swallowing hard, Julie sat up straighter in her chair.

"It's my parents," she explained softly. "I have to show my parents that I'm a capable d-daughter. They... I have to show them this." She swept some hair back off her shoulder, in the process reestablishing her mental control. "Now, will you sign the necessary papers?"

Again Mr. Hunt looked back at her in silence. Three seconds passed, then five, then... he nodded to her in agreement. It took all of Julie's willpower not to burst into tears.

***

The school was hers. Her father had thought it couldn't be done, but she had done it. She had the paper in her pocket to prove it. For so many years, she had been striving for this moment, handling setbacks from students and teachers alike, tiptoeing carefully around administration... and then there had been the time machine, forcing her to accelerate her plans prematurely. To prevent any discovery of her goals and motivations. Yet though it all, she had prevailed.

The principal had called her out of French class last period, in order to advise her about a requisition from the science department. She had of course given her go ahead for the purchase of new supplies. She had also agreed with how Hunt was handling an issue with a concerned parent, to the point of seeing no need have him provide her with the actual name.

The irony was, she couldn’t have succeeded here without Corry. Julie had required his final act against her that morning, the distribution of that flyer, in order to clinch things. The one thing she’d had no control over, that was what had given her control... and now that she was running the school, she’d make sure it didn’t fall apart through any misguided attempts to avenge her name.

Thank goodness Phil had pointed out the date to her, which had snapped her out of her constant over-analysis of the situation... Julie winced at the thought.

Phil Clarke. She’d been avoiding him. Would he even remain her friend after this? Well, as long as she had the paper in her pocket with Mr. Hunt's signature on it, the rest didn't matter. Right? No, the rest didn't matter to her at all.

"So, LaMille. Do you yield?"

It was Corry's voice. Julie looked up from her lunch, vaguely aware of everyone else in the cafeteria edging away from their position.

The brunette allowed herself a tiny smile. "Yes," she answered quietly. "You win. Do whatever you like now, Corry. Thank you."

Regrettably, Corry turned out to be something of a sore winner.