Joey, Why Do You Do These Things?, chapter 2

Joey sat in the chair with his legs apart, arms crossed. He rolled his eyes for the millionth time as the principal walked in.
"Mrs. Opal," he said, straightening his glasses and sitting down, "what seems to be the problem with Mr. Armstrong this time?"
"Well," I said, "he has huge disrespect for me and the other students. I caught him earlier in the teacher's lounge, causing trouble for the hundreth time."
"Well then, what do you think we should do with him?"
"Whatever you think suits the situation."
"I think a call home would do the trick."
"Me too."

Joey snickered and fidgeted around in his chair. He said something under his breath, but I couldn't quite hear it.

He sat in the room while the principal and I used the phone at the front desk. It rang a few times and a man's voice came over the phone.
"H-hello?" Billie Joe Armstrong said in a tired voice over the speaker. My head gets hot everytime he picks up when we call. He's so sexy. Too bad he's married...

"Yes, Mr. Armstrong," the principal said. "This is Mr. Banks, Joey's principal."
"Oh yeah. What'd he do this time?"
"Well, I'll just let Ms. Opal tell you, since she's the one he seems to have a problem with."
"Alrighty then."

"Mr. Armstrong, Sally Opal here," I began, feeling tingly, "Joey's music teacher."
"Hi. He isn't too much of a problem, is he?"
"Well..."
"Look, I know he's a handful. So is his little brother. But they've been going through a tough time right now, what with their grandmother dying and everything. I've talked to him so many times about behaving in class. Believe me, he's had hard punishments, but nothing really seems to come through to him. I've tried the best I can. So has my wife, and I'm sure you have, too. So if you could possibly cut him some slack, I'd appreciate it so much."

I looked at Mr. Banks. He shook his head darkly. I let out a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid I'll have to give him Saturday detention for the next two weeks."
"Thanks loads... What'd he do that was so bad? I know he's disrespectful sometimes, but he's a kid! He doesn't know any better!"
"I'm sorry, but he needs to learn."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry. I'm just reallly tired. (Here he let out a sigh.) Well, whatever you think is best. You're the teacher, after all. Just don't be too hard on him."
"Yes, sir."
"Well, bye."
"Bye."

He hung up and we walked back into the office. Joey chewed on his fingernails.
"So," he said, spitting one out of his mouth. "What've I got this time, Banksmeister?"
"Saturday's detention for the next two weeks," Mr. Banks said, looking at the calender in his desk.
"What?!" Joey yelped and hopped up. "Well, fuck this crap! I'm outta here!"

He ran out the room, and I was quick after him. We ran down the halls, like cat and mouse, running towards the front doors to the school.
"Joey! Get back here!" I yelled the whole time. Other teachers stuck their heads out of their classrooms.

He reached the doors and dashed out. I ran behind him and grabbed his hand, tugging him back.
"Joey!" I panted. "Don't ever run out of the school again!"
"I don't care!" he yelled. "I don't give a crap anymore! No one does about me! I'm just a useless pathetic piece of shi-"
"Joey! No, you're not! Don't ever tell yourself that!"
"But it's true!"
"No it's not!"
"How do you know?! You don't care about me!"
"Joey, you're my student! Of course I care about you! Why wouldn't I?!"
"All I know is you don't! Why do you get me in trouble all the time?!"
"I'm not the one who gets you in trouble, Joey! You do it to yourself!"