Schooled

"How long have you known?" Caitlin had her hands on her hips, her face screwed into a scowl as panic flooded her body. She was afraid she was going to pass out as the blood rushed to her head making her dizzy. She had Mason backed against the wall in the boys bathroom. Mason smirked. He dropped his backpack on the floor and took out a cigarette; studied it for a moment then stuck it behind his ear. He was highly amused at Caitlin's obvious distress.

"Does it matter?" Mason scoffed.

"Um, well yeah it matters. Have you told anyone else?"

"Why would I tell anyone? Who cares?" He displayed his usual cavalier attitude in spite of the fact that he'd just caught Caitlin and Mr. Garrett in a compromising position in the back of the music room.

"Mason this is serious, have you told anyone?"

"No, geez of course not, it was all of ten minutes ago. Besides, who would I tell?"
"Thank God. Now please... please don't tell anyone, okay?"
"What is your damage? You don't have to get all freaked. I won't say anything. Still don't get what the big deal is." He smiled, "So you're getting it on with Mr. G."
Caitlin slapped him hard on the chest.

"You're kidding right? The big deal is I'm still seventeen, I don't want Mr. G getting hauled in for statutory rape or molestation or whatever the hell the cops would call it."
"As if that still happens."

"Yeah Mase, it does. This is serious... I mean it, you can't tell anyone, okay? You've gotta swear it."

"Um, yeah I guess. So how long has this been going on? And how come you never said anything? I am supposed to be your best friend."
"It's been going on for months... since the beginning of last semester. I don't even know how it got started really... but... I feel so different when I'm with him. It's not like Tyler or Dylan... they're such immature little boys."
"Well no shit... in comparison to Mr. Garrett, geez, what is he like forty?"

"He's forty-three, not that it matters. Look, you don't have to be such a smart ass about it. I'm.... I think I'm in love with him."
"You have got to be kidding me. Oh no. Don't start that crap. You sound just like you did last year... remember when you were dating that guy from the Mission. You only volunteered down there until you got a date and you thought you were in love with him too. And how long did that last? Just call it for what it is.. you think Mr. G's hot and you just want his body." Mason laughed heartily.

"Oh you are a riot. It's not like that... this time." Caitlin turned away from him. "Why are we having this conversation? Just promise you won't say anything to anybody. Tom could get fired.... or... worse than that."
"Yeah, whatever. My lips are sealed. I don't know nothing. Besides, when the two of you get busted, and you will... eventually... I don't want any part of it."

"Well that's not gonna happen. I turn eighteen in twenty-one days, and then I don't care who knows."
"Oh yeah? Well that takes care of the criminal aspect you're so worried about.... but you know he could still lose his job. And isn't he married? I'm pretty sure that's unethical."
"Unhappily married, and from what I understand she's a real bitch. And since when did you get on the ethics committee? I don't think skipping third period to smoke pot with Jeremy Reese is at the top of the ethics list either; that and whatever else it is you do when you're cutting classes."

Mason shoved her shoulder playfully, the way he'd been doing since they were in preschool together. "Yeah whatever, point taken. Don't worry, your dirty little secret is safe with me."

Two seniors came in and glared at Caitlin.

"It's cool guys, she's with me." Mason moved towards her and put his arm around her.

Caitlin pushed him away and gave him a dirty look as he escorted her back out into the hall. The bell rang and kids poured out from classrooms. Caitlin spotted Mr. Garrett at the end of the hall; he smiled at her then he caught Mason's eye. Mason shook his head and frowned. Caitlin nodded her head and turned to chastise Mason but he took off down the hall getting lost in the deluge of students rushing to their first class.

Mason wasn't in French class or second period. Caitlin searched for him at lunch, but he was no where to be found. By the beginning of sixth period she knew he was gone for the day; and by the end of sixth period, she knew why. As the final bell of the day rang, she watched in horror as the police escorted a handcuffed Mr. Garrett from the building. There was nothing she could do and it was her fault. She made her way to the front entrance of the school, pushing through crowds of kids to get to the parking lot. Tears streamed down her face as a tall officer closed the door on the back of the patrol car. Tom was inside, his head hung in shame.

As Caitlin turned to go back inside the school, she caught a glimpse of Mason in the parking lot leaned up against a silver BMW. He was smiling and laughing as a pretty blond woman opened the passenger door for him. He got in and the woman leaned down and kissed him. Caitlin continued watching, shocked that Mason had kept this from her. Then as the woman turned to walk to the driver's side Caitlin saw her face. It was Elinor Garret. Tom's wife. No wonder Mason had kept this from her. It was suddenly very clear exactly what Mason had been doing when he cut class; Mrs. G. 

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