Stacey's pov

Come on, come on. I sit nervously tapping my foot and wringing my hands. The waiting is always the hardest part, well technically not the hardest part. The hardest part will be the severe ass whipping I'm going to receive. Still not the worst part though. I mean, the worst part is a toss up between the waiting and the dreaded look of disappointment from Shane or Mike. Shit, it was bad enough getting 'the look' from Dean Banfeld.

Crap! I don't even know which one is going to show up. I don't even know which one I would want to show up. Who would be the lesser of two evils in this situation? I think Mike would be angrier but Shane would be more disappointed in my behavior. I just pray Dean Banfeld doesn't expel me. Damn zero tolerance policy.

Out of school suspension would be bad enough. Mike always warned us if we ever received an out of school suspension he would set a timer and spank us for ten minutes in the morning for each day we were out of school. I know that might not sound like much but trust me, ten straight minutes of getting your butt smacked is an eternity. I thought of the amount of damage that man could do to my posterior in that time frame and it made me shudder. I don't even want to think about what his punishment for expulsion would entail. Yikes.

I was quickly jolted out of my nightmare-envisioned scenario by the current scene unfolding before my eyes as the door to the office opened and in walked none other than...

SHANE AND MIKE.

WELL FUCK ME! Can this day get any better? I thought. God really does have a wicked sense of humor.

My two guardians strode into the office in their designer suits like they owned the place. The tailored cut accentuating their muscular toned physiques did not go unnoticed by the school secretary as she looked them up and down before shyly turning away, giggling in embarrassment once they noticed her not so subtle gaze.

GROSS! It was disgusting to me that women thought of them 'THAT WAY.' Ick! Like they're sexual beings. So nasty. No ma'am. It didn't help that they flirted mercilessly with the female staff here. Maybe it was because Julie and I spent a fair amount of time here being disciplined by the dean and they figured it couldn't hurt to be on their good side, or maybe it was because they were acutely and immodestly aware of the effect their good looks had on women. I'd say I prefer the former to the latter but that doesn't really put my cousin and I in a flattering light, so maybe there isn't a good reason to justify their flirtatious behavior.

After hanging up the phone, I hear the secretary say quite professionally, "Dean Banfeld will see you now, gentlemen," as she regains her composure and ushers them into his office. I practically gag though when she fans herself with a file folder after enjoying the view from behind as she watches them walk away.

Before walking into the dean's office, both Shane and Mike give me a cold disapproving look that causes me to hang my head in shame. I know I screwed up big time and I know my ass is going to pay the price. Approximately twenty agonizing minutes later, the three men emerge from the office. Mike and Shane thank Dean Banfeld for his time and say goodbye before turning their attention to me. I wish I could just shrivel up and disappear.

Mike walks past me and snaps, "Let's go."

I stand up and start to apologize but Shane abruptly cuts me off.

"Keep your bloody mouth shut, Stacey, until we give you permission to speak," he hisses in my ear, as he forcefully escorts me out of the school. Shane pushes me roughly into the backseat of Mike's car before slamming the door.

They're both so angry, I can practically see the steam coming out of their ears.

"BULLYING, Stacey? How could you do such a thing?" Shane turns and shouts at me from the front seat. He continues to glare at me. He's beyond furious.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Mike becomes frustrated and slams his left hand on the steering wheel.

"DAMMIT, STACEY, ANSWER HIM!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I allowed to speak now?" I question sarcastically, with way too much attitude for a girl in my current position.

Shane reaches back with lightning speed and harshly slaps my disrespectful mouth.

"You're in no position to take an attitude with us, young lady. Apologize this instant!"

Even though I know I deserved it, that slap really stung, hurting me both physically and emotionally. My cheek is red and inflamed but even worse, I feel like they've already convicted and sentenced me without bothering to hear my side of the story.

"Sorry," I say curtly, and somewhat insincerely while rubbing the sting out of my cheek.

"I strongly suggest you try that apology again, Stacey Marie, if you know what's good for you." Shane's icy tone leaves no room for interpretation. He's dead serious.

"I'm sorry I disrespected both of you," I say humbly, resigned to my fate. "It's just that..."

"We'll finish this discussion in my room," Shane says, interrupting me. "Until then, NOT. ONE. MORE. WORD. UNDERSTAND?"

I nod because afterall, he said not one more word. Plus, I'm afraid anything I say right now will only piss them off further and dig my grave deeper.

When we arrive at the Center, we all angrily march into Shane's room.

"Sit down!" Mike barks at me, pointing to the chair in the corner.

"Fine!" I huff, slumping down in the chair.

"You have exactly ten seconds to respond to Mike appropriately or I won't hesitate to slap you again," Shane warns me, with his hands on his hips and one eyebrow raised.

"I apologize. I meant to say, yes sir," I reply flatly, to appease Shane.

It's obvious Shane isn't thrilled with my response but there are more pressing matters at hand so Mike says, "Let's move on. What do you have to say for yourself in regards to bullying that girl?" Mike is leaning against the back of Shane's desk with his arms crossed and his eyes boring holes into me.

"I DIDN'T BULLY HER!" I yell. "I WAS JUST THERE WHEN THE OTHER KIDS STARTED SAYING STUFF AND BEGAN PUSHING HER AROUND." I'm standing now with my hands by my side, balled into tight fists as my face flushes hot with anger.

Shane is in my face in a heartbeat, confronting me.

"Whom the Hell do you think you're speaking to in that tone of voice?"

I can honestly say I've never seen Shane this angry before. His demeanor is so dark and foreboding right now. I'm truly terrified by this stranger standing in front of me because I have no idea what he's capable of in his current state of mind. I can't help wondering if this is how my cousin felt when Shane took her to the dugout.

He narrows his eyes, inching closer to my face.

"How dare you raise your voice to us."

I start backpedaling, both literally and figuratively, stepping back trying to put some space between a very angry Shane and I as I shout, "OH MY GOD! YOU GUYS NEVER LISTEN TO ME. I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!"

"EXACTLY, STACEY!" Mike barks, as he joins Shane getting in my face. "You DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" He's aggressively shaking his finger at me as he continues his tirade. "You stood there and did NOTHING as you watched your friends bully that poor girl. Do you honestly think that absolves you of any responsibility? You CANNOT possibly be that dense. I know we raised you better than that."

Mike lowers his accusatory finger and looks down, sadly shaking his head. His fury has quickly dissipated and is now replaced by dismay.

"I never thought I'd see the day one of my daughters would be suspended for bullying. I'm just so disappointed in you, Stacey." Mike turns his back to me and steps away. "I can't even look at you right now."

There it is. The worst part. I feel crushed right now.

"But I didn't even do anything," I say sadly, and so softly it's barely above a whisper.

Shane reaches out, gently lifting my chin so our eyes meet. I can see the disappointment in his face too. The volatility of the situation is gone. Now the realization is settling in. I look down again ashamed.

"You have to know, Stacey, that while you stood idly by watching what your friends did to that girl..." Shane pauses, lifting my chin, forcing me to make eye contact again before continuing, "that makes you a bully, the same as the rest of them. I want you to go to your room and think about what you've done while Mike and I discuss your punishment."

I'm so ashamed right now. Mike still refuses to look at me and I can't even be upset that Shane just admonished me like I'm a naughty toddler, with his go to your room and think about what you've done line. I know damn well I deserve it. I felt awful about what my so-called "friends" did to that girl but now I feel even worse, knowing I did nothing to stop it. I'm a coward and a fool.