"You did what?!"
"Guys calm down? If she were to tell anyone I wouldn't be here. And besides I only told her that I'm a member of School Of Rock I didn't talk about you all."
"But still Freddy. You can't just_"
Mr Finn stopped as Gina walked back in.
"Sorry but Principal Mullins is on her way here to check."
"Everyone to your seats let's begin."
Mr Finn said and went back to his desk and Principal Mullins walked in.
"Ow I see you've already met the new student. Your class is a very talented class and I think you'll be able to change her for the better...no best. Please take care of her and don't fail to tell me if she did anything wrong or bad. Carry on."
Principal Mullins smiled and walked out. Everyone still had sour expressions on. Mr Finn removed a Shakespearean book from the drawer and starts reading. Freddy smiled at Gina and ruffled her hair then turned forward.
BREAK: CAFETERIA
"We actually have to start learning now. Urgh why is she here?!"
Summer slammed her tray on the table spilling juice on Zack.
"Summer be careful."
"Sorry Zack."
"Here."
Freddy joined them and Gina gave Zack a towel.
"Thanks."
"It's nothing. Did we interrupt you guys?"
"Nope. We're good."
"So Gina tell us where you're from?"
"And when you're leaving."
Tomika hit Summer and smiled at Gina.
"I'm from Lost Angeles. I lived there with my parents. And now I'm here with my aunt and uncle. I love music and dance."
"What did Principal Mullins mean by if you do anything wrong?"
Lawrence asked creating space for her to sit.
"Thank you. Well, in all my previous schools I'm known for my rough and troublesome lifestyle. So I'm here temporarily and if I succeed two weeks without causing any trouble I can stay."
"Don't worry I believe you'll make it. As long as I'm here you won't commit any crimes."
"Have you forgotten about the family gathering? You said the same thing."
"Well... now's different. Your tricks won't work on me."
Freddy said confidently and continued with his sandwich.
"Sandwich and no lettuce?"
"That's mine. Here.. it's funny that you still keep your teeth clean with all these veggies."
"Nothing's taking down my smile."
"By the way I didn't get your names."
"Sorry. This is Summer, Tomika, Lawrence and_"
"Hi I'm Zack. If you need anything just let me know."
"You're the one who plays the electric guitar?"
"Um...yes."
They all glared at Freddy who blinked and turned to Gina.
"Yes he knows how to play the guitar. You've always wanted to learn right?"
"Can you teach me?"
"Um sure. I'll teach you."
"Now?"
"Well.."
Gina looked at Zack expectantly. Zack swallowed his saliva and adjusted his tie.
"A guitar...I don't have my guitar with me now."
"Shoot! My guitar's with Mullins."
"Gina! Respect."
"But_"
"You'll get it later_Gina come back!"
Gina ran away and Freddy ran after her.
"Zack are you okay?"
Tomika asked Zack who kept staring at where Gina sat.
"Guys I just had an idea. What if we make Principal Mullins catch Gina being bad or whatever. She'll leave and our secret will be safe and sound."
Summer said and the others began thinking.
"But wouldn't that hurt Freddy's feelings? You've seen the way he cares about her."
Zack said and opened his lunchbox.
"He'll understand. The band first."
"Yeah I guess it's okay."
Tomika nodded and turned to Zack and Lawrence
"I'm with whatever you guys decide."
Lawrence said
"I'm not sure you guys. Let's ask Mr Finn first."
.....
"Great idea kids. So what's the plan?"
"Leave it to me."
Tomika assured them and turned to Zack who looked lost.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"Hey everyone. Look what I found."
Gina walked in with Freddy carrying a box.
"What are those?"
"Our stuffs. Gina got it back from Principal Mullins's office."
"You broke into Principal Mullins's office?!"
Lawrence asked as he took his remote control car.
"No big deal. Zack, here. You should have said she has your guitar. I almost left it back."
"The..thanks."
Gina smiled and went to her seat to clean her guitar.
"Welcome to mama. Freddy don't just stand there come help me clean Penny."
"Penny?"
"That's what she named her guitar."
Freddy said and walked over to Gina.
Later in the day when classes were going on, Tomika led Gina outside to the parking lot.
"What are we doing here?"
"I'm waiting for someone to give this bag of paint. Then I'll show you around the school."
"But.. okay."
"Wait hold on a sec I'll be right back."
Tomika ran to the other side of the parking lot. Gina looked at the bag of paint and at the card. Then the bag of paint again. Spotting Principal Mullins's car, she took red paint and went to paint the car. Then removed can spray paint from her bag to decorate the tires.
"Gina what have you done?!"
"Isn't it pretty?"
Gina smiled at Tomika and wrote her signature on the car.
Next Day
"She hasn't come yet. Think it worked?"
Summer asked Tomika excitedly.
"I can't believe you all. She's trying to change but you just led her to another crime just to keep a secret. You're ruining her future. What if no other school takes her again? Would you sleep well at night? We were supposed to be helping her not getting her to do more dirty work. And you Summer. Just because a girl's with Freddy doesn't mean they're dating. Try asking before judging."
Zack said and walked out of the class.
"Did we just get Zacked?"
Freddy walks in.
"Freddy where's Gina?"
"She quit."
"Quit?"
"She said she's going back to LA."
"But why? Did Principal Mullins dismiss her?"
"No. She's leaving voluntarily."
.....
Flashback yesterday
"I don't think your friends want me here."
"Why? Just give them time they're really good."
"I'll go back to LA this weekend."
"But you just came. Didn't you miss me?"
"Ofcourse I did. But I don't want to be the reason you have problems with your friends or get into trouble."
"Can't I change your mind?"
"Nope. Don't worry I'll always visit you."
"I'll miss you."
Gina smiled and hugged Freddy.
.....
Present
"So today she'll come to take her things and say goodbye."
"What about the car incident?"
"Principal Mullins asked her to do it."
"Who is she to you?"
"She's my cousin."
"Ow"
"And she was already suspecting that you're hiding a secret so she chose to just leave."
Freddy said and continued looking at Gina's pictures on his phone.
Gina walked in.
"Hey everyone. I came to say goodbye. Even though it was just one day I still enjoyed my stay here. Please take care of my bro for me."
Gina smiled and turned to leave.
"Gina wait. We're sorry. We didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's okay I get it. You have your business that stays only within these walls. I won't interfere. I'll be leaving now."
"Gina please don't go. Stay we want you here."
"Because I'm not Freddy's girlfriend?"
Gina gave Summer a knowing look and a bitter smile.
"Don't feel guilty it's my choice you didn't push me."
"Please stay. We'll help you change."
"But your secret_"
"Forget about it."
Tomika pulled Gina to her seat.
"And besides, Zack might hate us if you go."
"Yeah he's been acting strange."
"So.Please?"
Summer held Gina's hand and waited for her to answer.
"Okay I'll stay."
"Yes!"
Zack walked in.
"What's going on?"
"Gina's staying."
"Really? That's cool. Welcome back."
"Thanks."
Gina smiled at Zack who smiled back and went to his seat.
"So you have one week four more days to become permanent."
Freddy said and poked Gina's cheek.