Bad Girls

I went to check in with Allison and Kaylie last night. I walked in and both girls were propped up on Allison's bed, knees up supporting laptops. They both looked up and grinned, then both heads went back down in succession. I went to turn and noticed a pink carbon copy paper taped to the wall. It was taped with packaging tape, to be sure it was securely displayed - right next to her soccer trophies. I stopped short and said, "What is this?" On closer inspection, I realized it was a Dean Referral with my daughter's name on it. I spun back around and both girls were staring at me with a smirk. Allison said, "I wondered when you were going to notice that". I gave her the "oh please do tell" look and she proceeded... "Remember the day I was really mad at you?", in which I replied, "Which day would that have been Allison? There are so many to choose from lately". She just rolled her eyes and said, "Read it".

It was the day a boy hit her in her face. I remember that day. My husband (her dad) had gone berserk on the Dean and wanted repercussions immediately. It turned out, Allison had "flicked" him on the back of the neck, which resulted in a two day suspension for her and a five day suspension for him. Technically she put her hands on him first. I had been so angry with her. I was angry that she had not given me the whole story. That she had twisted it and shaped it to fit her as an innocent victim that had done nothing to provoke a fight or argument. I stood by my daughter, regardless. No boy should ever lay a hand on a girl. But my anger was because she had omitted information, which is the same as lying.

I looked at her and said, "So you get mad at me and plaster this to your wall?" Kaylie chimed in with, "Yeah, the night she put it up, you came in here and turned to leave; you never even noticed it! Allison was amazed!". They were both grinning and giggling like it was the best practical joke they had ever thought of.

I looked at them both. Two teenage girls so proud of their indignant behavior -and in that moment I was thankful. Thankful that this was the worst they had done. Thankful they were propped up safely in bed listening to music and watching YouTube.
I looked at them both under my eyebrows, and said, "Huh... maybe if you get enough of these I won't have to paint your room pink like you wanted". Their eyes widened and laughter blurted from their smiles, filling the room. I winked at them and turned. I shut the door to them still giggling.