"Where do you think are you going?" An aggressive hand took a hold onto my shoulder which caused me to jolt before being pulled around a corner of the nearly abandoned hallway. The look of terror written across my face was enough to send Sam and Juilet into a fit of laughter, and that's when I became less tense when seeing who it was. Although, class was in session and I was already late, I just didn't have time to stall around, even if I wanted to. "Going to Philosophy..."--"No you're not, you're coming with us," Sam whispered taking a hold of my wrist leading me towards a nearby stairwell.

Rushing along side the girls down the stairs towards the side door exit to the school, I found a part of me somewhat felt guilty. This was typical of Sam but, Juilet and I rarely ever skipped class, unless their was a specific reason to. This was also still only the first week of school, I certainly didn't think I'd be skipping class this early on in the year. However there was an adrenaline rush to it that kept me by their side, even if I knew it wasn't in my best interest. "You guys wanna go back to my place for a bit and hang out, or what?"

Sam's question caused a chill almost as deep as the brisk open air that had hit me once we stepped outside. "My parents are still at work, so they wouldn't know we cut last period." Although the offer was enticing it just wasn't something I could do. With Mark picking me up everyday after school, I couldn't very well have him pick me up at Sam's. At least not without confessing I skipped class and getting an earful.

"We can't go that far. My... dad's picking me up after school for a dentist appointment. He'd kill me if I'm not here." Of course I immediately felt guilty for lying, but I couldn't exactly tell them the truth either. "We'd be back before school is over... I mean, I do have the car after all." I puffed out my cheeks and looked to the ground, avoiding their eyes just trying to figure out a way around this.

Although Sam made a good point I just couldn't risk it in case we didn't make it back in time. If I wasn't waiting for Mark after school, he'd question me why and I just didn't want to deal with it. "Can we just... Can you please just trust me. I'd rather stay around school grounds, okay?" I looked up with pleading eyes. The glare Juliet shot me and, the raised eyebrow Sam was giving me in return just told me they could sense something was up.

"Fine we'll do things your way. Wouldn't want to upset daddy." It wasn't unusual for Sam to have an attitude at times, this was just the first time it was ever directed towards me. I shrugged it off merely thinking perhaps she knew I wasn't entirely being honest and, instead of calling me out, she was just gonna be a bitch. As much as I really wanted to question her attitude, I was in no position. I bite my tongue instead keeping quiet and, followed them out into the field behind the school.

When we got to a safe distance away from the school, we picked a tree and sat underneath it's shade. We may have still been on school grounds but at least we were far enough away from the school that it'd be unlikely that we'd be caught skipping class and that allowed me to ease up. 

Although a part of me still felt guilty about skipping class this early on in the year for no given reason, the guilt quickly faded when we stuck up some mindless babble. School at this point seemed to be the least of our worries and our conversation consisted mostly about this guy from another school Samantha's been seeing.

"His name is Anthony and he's a senior at McMaster." --"McMaster? How'd you meet him?" Hearing Sam mention McMaster I tensed up and, my heart began to race. Knowing McMaster was the same school Mark had started teaching at left my mouth to run dry, but very quickly I realized there was no reason to be so paranoid. Instead I smiled, happy that Sam had finally started seeing somebody.

"We met a little while ago through my brother but we've only recently started seeing each other." Just watching the way her eye lit up and seeing the rosy tinge of her cheeks while she talked about him, I knew she had it bad. This girl had a serious crush and I found myself silently laughing, wondering if I looked nearly as ditzy as she did every time I thought of Mark.

"You guys have to meet him soon. I know you'll love him. OH! How about this weekend," Sam exclaimed reaching into the front pouch of her backpack that was nestled between her legs. Juliet of course threw her arms in the air before draping them around Sam, clearly very excited to meet the boy Samantha was gushing over. "Yeah absolutely!"

" I may be busy with my family this weekend but, I'll let you know though." Again, immediate guilt flooded over me for having lied however, I really just wanted to spend the weekend with Mark. With Mark and I both at school all week and, then when he gets home he spends most of his time in the office, we didn't exactly have as much time together as I anticipated we would. I at least wanted this weekend with him so we could make up lost time together.

"Okay. What's tomorrow... Friday? Well just let me know tomorrow night, and if you can make it I'll talk him into going out on Saturday with us." I had to wonder why she would want to know in advance if I would be joining them or not but, didn't feel it important enough to ask. Instead I nodded my head in understanding of her request, and leaned back against the tree just watching as she put something to her mouth that she had retrieved from out of her backpack.

"Samantha! Are you crazy! you can't light that here," Juliet exclaimed in a hushed tone swiping what looked to be a rolled cigarette away from her mouth. I didn't know Sam smoked and, I had known her for a few years. This was the first time I had ever seen her smoke. However still, I wasn't going to judge her. She's a good person and, smoking didn't make me think of her any less. "Calm down," Sam snapped bringing her sparked lighter to her cigarette.

As soon as the flame ignited the tip and Sam took a deep inhale, a disgusting odor surrounded us followed by a thick grey cloud of smoke. When the puff of smoke submerged itself deep within our lungs both Juliet and I began to cough and it left a lingering burning sensation. "That doesn't smell like a cigarette. What is that shit?" Instantly I felt somewhat foolish for even asking. The cloud of smoke was far too dense to be a cigarette and, it smelled like skunk, I knew what it was.

"That's because it isn't a cigarette, genius." Again, this wasn't something I was going to judge Sam for. I was more so in shock that not only was she smoking pot but she was going it on school property. Not willing to hound Sam about it any longer, I rolled my eyes and sank my head to the ground just getting lost in my own little world while she continued to rave about her new boyfriend.

***

"Oh I'm sorry I thought you girls were some of my kids slacking off... Wait, aren't you ladies suppose to be in class right now?" Hearing that nasal action whistle around her word's from behind, caught me off guard and I froze. 'Busted.' My heart sank into my stomach as I tried to glance up without actually looking up at her. Ms. Playford, the gym teacher was standing tall above us and I could feel her eyes boring into us like a wildfire.

The chilled air around Juliet, Sam and I only intensified, and I was plagued with immediate regret.  "What on Earth is that God awful smell... Are you smoking Marijuana?" I watched as Sam very quickly tried to rub the ember from off of her joint onto her jeans, and folded it's remains it into the palm of her hand before she took a standing position. Her eyes red, pupils dilating and cheeks painted pink. There was no denying, Sam was as high as a kite.

Juliet and I still too scared to even look up, were forced to by the Gym teacher's bellowing. "Well, one of you better start talking. Come on, let me see it. What are you hiding in your hand?" My first question was why she was even out here but, then I seen the group of students that were running laps around the field. All of a sudden it made sense, but I still couldn't bring myself to speak. I swallowed hard, taking in a shallow breath watching this all unfold.

Sam's eyes glued to the ground and fear was written across her face as she opened her hand. I witnessed Ms. Playford retrieved the joint from Samantha's hand while shaking her head in disgust. All of us appeared to be to afraid to say anything. All we could do was stay quiet in an attempt to not worsen the situation. Ms. Playford put the joint up to her nose, confirming that it was indeed marijuana and a scowl was plastered on her face when realizing she was right in her assumption.

"That's what I thought. March," she hissed pointing back towards the school. "Mr. Neilson would love to know about this." Sam looked down at Juliet and I, with eyes flooded with both guilt and fear of what's to come. I could read her like an open book, she knew she was gonna be in big trouble. Ms. Playford snapped her fingers, once again pointing off towards the school with such a stern look, it was almost primal.

I watched as Samantha hung her head, picked up her backpack and began to walk back towards the building. Juliet and I still somewhat in disbelief, just looked at each other not sure what to do. Clearly we were both thankful we weren't in Sam's position but still we felt pretty bad for our friend. "I said march. All of you, now!"

A tight knot started to form and twist within my stomach causing me to clench my abdomen muscles and immediately I wanted to puke. Just the tone of voice she spoke in seemed a little more angry than she should be for only catching a student skipping class. As her eyes filled with fury, that was the moment it sank in that she very evidently thought Juliet and I were smoking alongside Sam.

Juliet and I obliged and heeded Ms. Playford's demands without hesitation. We were already in hot water, we didn't need any more trouble than we were already going to be in. Juliet and I stood up, swinging our bags over our shoulders and followed suit with Sam and Ms. Playford cutting through the the field and in through the back door of the school.

"I told you not to light it Sam," Juliet huffed as we all continued to drag our feet down the long quiet hallway. "Hey! No talking! They'll be plenty of time for that in The Principal's office." Her words were booming loud, overpowering and stern, I almost felt intimidated. However the intimidation was nothing compared to how I knew Mr. Neilson would treat the situation or how Mark would react when he finds out about this. I didn't know what I was afraid of more; Mr. Neilson or telling Mark. Of course I had no intention of telling Mark however, if I was about to be suspended or worse, expelled, that's not something I can exactly hide from him.

"Have a seat ladies," Ms. Playford commanded pointing towards a row of chairs against the far wall as we entered the office. Sam, Juliet and I didn't know what to say to one another. We took a seat, biting our lip and keeping to ourselves contemplating the possible outcome of this situation while Ms. Playford went to speak to Mr. Neilson in private. 

"I'm sorry guys," Sam whimpered staring down at her feet. I looked over to Sam, shocked that she would think an apology would do any good at the time. 'She's got some nerve.' Sorry or not, that wasn't going to change our situation. This was the first time I ever actually felt myself questioning my friendship with Samantha.

After what felt like eternity of anxiously waiting around in silence, our solitude was broke by the sound of someone clearing their throat. My breathing and my hands became shaky as I peered my head up to find Mr. Neilson standing in front of his opened office door, arms crossed just glaring at us. I felt almost as I were a criminal, and his icy cold eyes set on us didn't help. He appeared to be waiting on something and as soon as our eyes made contact he began to beckon us over with his index finger, leaving me to feel even more so like I wanted to vomit.

***

After a long, daunting lecture of how bad getting involved with drugs can be, it appeared to finally be winding down. Mr. Neilson sat with his eyes set on a pad of paper situated on his desk, pen in hand, pinching the bridge of his nose in consideration of all that we had discussed. "So Miss. Moore, you claim to have been the only one of the group to have been smoking on school grounds, correct?" That was at least the one thing I was grateful for in this situation. Samantha had taken the entire blame, which was all hers anyway.

"Yes sir. Even just look at them. The only thing they are guilty of is skipping class. I was the one in possession of the Marijuana, and I was the one who was smoking it." I found it somewhat noble that Samantha was trying to make the situation right, and was grateful she did. I just found myself hoping her confession would be enough and we could get off with nothing but a slap on the wrist.

Mr. Neilson began to tap him pen repeatedly against the desk, leaving several light thuds to echo around the room in response. Having nothing more to add to Sam's confession, I sat back biting my tongue, watching the wheels in his head turn with all information he had received. "I'm sure you three are aware of the severity of the situation. I will not tolerate the use of drugs on school property..."

"Sir please! I was the only one, I don't want to drag them down too for my foolish actions." Sam's pleading eyes meeting Mr. Neilson's gaze was almost pitiful and the look on his face suggested to me that he was deeply perplexed. Mr. Neilson then proceeded to examine us one by one. He carefully seemed to be studying our eyes, facial expression and body language, as if searching for answers and as he got me and our eyes locked I could almost seen a look of sympathy.

"After careful observation I am inclined to believe your statement,  Ms. Moore." A sudden wave of relief washed over me hearing that he believed Sam. I knew I'd still be facing consequences for skipping class but at least it wouldn't be as bad."Miss. Blackwood, Miss. (YLN,) I hope you'll treat this meeting as a little bit of a lesson. As I'm sure you are aware there will be consequences for your actions. Both of you will have an after school detention tomorrow. As for you Miss. Moore, your actions were of a higher severity. As such the punishment shall fit the crime."

With a monotone grunt, I watched Mr. Neilson retrieve a pad of blue paper from off the side of his desk, which I knew was used for writing up detentions. Setting down the pad in front of him, he then leaned down and opened the top drawer of his desk pulling out a separate pad. A red pad of paper. It was clear whatever punishment Sam would retrieve was going to be more than just a detention. 

Bringing his pen to the blue pad first, he sunk his head into his chest and began to write. The room fell to an unsettling silence, so silent I could hear the pen gliding across the paper as he wrote upon each individual slip. As soon as he was done he ripped them off, setting them off to the side for a moment while he brought his attention to the red pad.

I looked over at Sam slumped back in her chair, watching her reaction. She seemed tensed and scared. I swear I could almost visibly see her heart racing beneath her chest as Mr. Neilson began to peel the red slip from off the pad of paper. "Miss. Blackwood, Miss. (YLN,) you'll be serving deletion tomorrow with Ms. Playford, helping her as she sees fit."

Both Juliet and I extender our hand out for the slips that Mr. Neilson had drawn up and was presenting to us. "Please bring the slips with you to your deletion tomorrow and have her sigh off on them confirming that you had attended and drop them off to me Monday morning." Juliet nodded her head in understanding and I clutched onto the slip before standing up shoving it into the back pocket of my jeans. 

"As for you Samantha, twenty day out of school suspension. Also since you're under the age of eighteen, please have your parents sign off on this and bring it back to me tomorrow morning." I couldn't believe my ears, a twenty day suspension was what I had heard to be the maximum day suspension before expulsion. Although her actions deserved the consequences I knew Sam's parents and, they were going to flip. I couldn't help but feel bad for her. 

Just as the dismissal bell rang signifying the end of school, I couldn't have been more relieved. I just wanted this day to be over and at least a detention was something I could easily hide from Mark. "Twenty day suspension! Come on, that's ridiculous! Please sir, have a heart." -- "I believe I already have. You should be grateful I didn't expel you, Miss. Moore. Now if you three would kindly take your leave, I have a meeting to attend."