Fuentes Time

Two weeks later we had the final drafts of all the eight songs we would play live. Another three weeks and we had them all recorded. We had our own 'album'. Not that we're charging for it, not until we have a gig anyway. There are just a few things we need to sort before we book a gig. One of those is my school.
I'm the only person in the band, besides Matt that still goes to school. I only have six and a bit months until I graduate. I know that isn't long but when I'm sitting in classes I could be practising or doing our set list. It's not like I'm going to be going to university after I've graduated. All of my teachers know I don't want to be there. That's why they don't care when I don't hand in homework. Or when I'm not there. I've been skipping a lot.
This is what it's all been leading up to. I'm sitting in the head teachers office. Despite everything he still has a soft spot for me. I lean back in the chair and he watches me carefully. I see the photo on his desk and pick it up. I look at his wife and daughter before I smile and put it back down.
"How old is she?" I asked.
"The same age as you." he replied.
"Is she as much trouble as me?" I grinned.
"Not quite as bad as you. But we've had a few choice words in the past." he explained easily.
"Do you ground her?"
"I do." he nodded.
"My dad doesn't like grounding me. He doesn't know how mostly."
"Whys that?"
"Well, we only met for the first time when I sixteen. He hasn't had experience in disciplining children. I think he wants me to be happy too. After not having me for so long he doesn't want me to hate him for it." I said.
"Sometimes I forget how hard you've had it, Eliz-" he stopped when I glared at him. "Effy." he corrected himself.
"I don't think of it like that, Sir." I shrugged.
"I almost feel bad for calling your dad."
"Dad's coming? Can't we keep it all a secret?" I offered.
"You know I can't do that."
"I could get you official Pierce The Veil merchandise. I can get you socks worn by the lead singer."
"Effy, I don't think that will sway me." he told me, a smile tying the corners of his lips.
The door opened and I groaned. Dad walked in and took a seat next to me. He shook Me Gilchrist's hand and looked at me. "What have you done now?" Dad asked.
"I want to talk about Effy's lack of attendance."
"Oh," Dad widened his eyes.
"Since she's come back after the unfortunate incident-"
"It wasn't a 'unfortunate incident'. I was raped. You call it a unfortunate incident when it happens to your daughter." I snapped.
"Effy, stop." Dad warned. Dad nudged me and I sighed.
"Sorry." I muttered.
"Thank you," he nodded. "Now, you just don't seem enthusiastic about school anymore. You have missed a lot of classes. There's been no explanation, you just haven't came to school."
"It's not like I'm not doing anything!" I exclaimed. "I have so much stuff to do. There aren't enough hours in the day."
"School is more important than Kill The Throne." Dad sighed.
"It isn't! Kill The Throne is going to take me places."
"Sorry, Kill The Throne?" Mr Gilchrist asked.
"It's my band." I explained.
"She spends so much time working on the band. I know how much work it can be. But I thought she was doing okay with school."
"I haven't even had that much time off." I snapped.
"Okay, let's look." he told us and got out my file. "She was at school for the first two weeks of term. Then she was away for five weeks. You came back to school for one week and was away for another. Then in the past five weeks you've missed two days of each week." he explained. "Come on, Effy. You know I'm not strict after what happened. I told you if you're having a bad day you can go home. But I feel like you're taking advantage."
"I can explain all of it." I rushed.
"Go on." Dad urged.
"See, when I first had time off it was because I was in LA."
"She was looking at career opportunities with my brothers girlfriend." Dad added.
"Um yeah. Right. And after I was with my dad. I missed him." I said.
"Okay." Mr Gilchrist frowned. "And when you came back?"
"Nothing." I snapped. I stood up and went to the window. I looked out, trying to imagine myself jumping out. It might be less painful than this conversation.
"We had Effy's trial in England," Dad explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that." he said carefully. "Of course, we will make allowances for that."
"But after that I don't know what's happened. I thought she was here."
"I just don't want to be here!" I exclaimed. "I don't care about school. It won't help me with what I want."
Then my phone started ringing. I faced away from them and saw V calling me. I discreetly answered it and tried to block their view with my hair. "Hey?" I whispered.
"Effy! You'll never guess what!"
"What?" I muttered.
"We've got a gig! In two weeks time we're playing! We did it!"
"That's amazing!" I exclaimed.
"Effy, get off of the phone." Dad growled.
"I need to go." I told V and hung up.
"I can't believe you just did that." Dad shook his head.
"It was important! We've got a gig! We're playing soon!"
"I don't care." Dad shook his head. "You need to focus on school. Until you do you're not allowed in my studio."
"But I need it! Please!" I begged.
"You should focus." he snapped.
"I agree either your father. You need your full attention here."
"Fine." I muttered.
"Go to class. I need to speak to your principal." Dad said.
"Okay." I nodded and left. How am I supposed to be here all day and work flat out on the band? It's impossible.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? Effy's in trouble. What will she do? How will she be at school and work on the band all night? Do you think she can do it? What about the gig? How will it go? :)