//

Cory and I went to Shawn's trailer, entering in.

"Hey, Mr. Hunter, Mrs. Hunter," I greet as I close the door with Cory and I entering.

"Boy, it sure is nice to see you back together, a whole family again in happy domestic bliss," Cory said.

"Well, aren't you sweet," Virna said tp Cory before turning to Mr. Hunter. "If you don't want to see this entire family livin' in an Amana refrigerator box, you get your sorry act together and find some way to pay these bills!"

"Perhaps I should wait outside where there's a little less tension," Cory stated.

"Agreed," I say opening the door.

Outside, I heard, "You spineless deadbeat, hiding the bills in the cat box. I'll kill you."

I close the door, it clicked. "Wait a minute," I began, turning to Shawn
"It's-"

"It's first of the month in the trailer park," Shawn finished.

Mr. Hunter went up to his wife. "Now, Virna, sugarpie, honeybunch, don't you go chewing my leg off over a minor financial fracas." He turned to us. "That's your new vocabulary word for today, 'fracas'."

Virna grabbed him by the ear, turning him to her. "Chet."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"I have been tearing tickets every afternoon at the movie theater so we don't have to hide bills in the microwave, but pay 'em like normal people, Chet." She grabbed him by the robe and shook him. "I want to be normal, Chet!"

"You know, Virna, if we're not pleased with our little job at the theater, maybe we should seek employment elsewhere. Preferably one that gives us a little more job fulfillment., He saw her look. "What?"

"'We'?" Virna questioned.

"What?"

"'We'. " You said 'we' work. 'We' don't work! I work! I work like a pig!"

As she went into the hallway, Mr. Hunter called out, "Well, maybe you better ask for a raise 'cause we got a microwave full of bills, honey." He ducked as Virna threw a piece of laundry at him.

"It's gotta be better out there," Cory desperately pleaded, opening the door.

"I want to be normal, Spud," a woman said outside.

Cory closed the door. "I'm stuck."

"Dad, Mom came back because she believed things would be different, so you gotta do something to show her that you've changed, that it is gonna be different," Shawn suggested.

"You're talkin' about me gettin' a 9-to-5 job?" Mr. Hunter asked.

"That would be different," I agreed.

"Well, maybe you're right. Maybe it's time I quit my ways of dreamin' and schemin', and settled down, got a job, and focused on reality.,

"That's all I'm sayin'," Shawn replied.

"'Course, we'll have to move to Portugal."

"Portugal? Why?"

"It's the pearl-diving capital of the world, Son," he answered. "You know, I can hold my breath underwater for over four minutes?"

"That should help you when she throws you off the bridge," Cory replied.

"Dad, I'm talking about a normal job. 'We want to be normal, Chet'," Shawn rephrased.

"Gang up on me, why don't you?" Mr. Hunter looked at Cory and I. "I suppose you want me to get a job, too?"

"Whatever makes Shawn happy," I answer.

"Whatever would calm everybody down's fine with me," Cory answered.

***

At school, Shawn, Cory, Topy and I were all together.

"This isn't gonna work," Cory told them.

"Is," Shawn replied.

"Isn't."

"Is."

"I think you are so immature," Topy told Shawn.

"Yeah. Well, that's what it is to be a guy, honey," Cory said to her.

"I deal with high levels of immaturity daily being around them and my brother," I say.

The three freshmen kids came back. "That wasn't Homer Simpson," one of them said as they all sat down and grabbed their milk cartons.

"Oh. Sorry, kid. I could've sworn it was him," Shawn stated.

"Oh, boy," I say as the kids drank from their milk carton and three holes leaked from the bottom.

Shawn laughed while I tried to hold back my laugh because Topy gave me a disapproving look.

"Wow, three at once," Cory said as they all stood back up.

"Oh! And they said it couldn't be done. Thank you, gentlemen. You've been great sports. Thanks for playing our game. Come back anytime," Shawn told them as they walked away.

"Oh, very good. Anytime you can humiliate people who are weaker or defenseless, you should certainly go for it," Topy sassed before walking away.

"All right, she got the bit," Shawn said.

"Baby, she wasn't being serious," I tell him.

"She still got it."

"Shawn, what a mess," Cory remarked.

"Indeed. But now, the school janitor will have something to do, thus we have ensured his job for another day, thereby help the economy," Shawn responded.

"We are so underappreciated," Cory added.

I sigh. "I really, really, need new friends."

The janitor began to back out of the closet causing Shawn to say, "Uh, sorry about the mess here, Mr. Janitor, sir-" The janitor turned to show the face of-"Dad?"

"Mr. Hunter?" Cory and I question.

Mr. Hunter grinned. "Chet Hunter, educational custodial services. Normal job for normal people."

He began to mop up the mess of milk as Shawn turned to us with a shocked expression.

***

Later, we were at our lockers when Shawn said repeatedly, "My dad's the janitor."

"Shawn, there is no shame in your father being a janitor," Topy told him.

"My dad's the janitor," he repeated once more.

"You know, if that's what you dwell on, it's not gonna sound good," Cory said.

"You also wanted him to get a job and now he has one," I add.

"But he could've been anything. I mean, God! My dad has all these wonderful dreams. And why does he have to be a janitor here?"

"Everybody needs a job. People understand that," Topy said.

"Thank you, T," I say as we went to Mr. Turner's class. "Shawn, it okay. People understand."

As we entered the class Doug Crandall called my boyfriend, "Hey, Hunter. I hear our dads have a lot in common."

"And you say that why?" Shawn asked.

"My father's a doctor, and your father's-Oh, wait. He cleans toilets. My mistake."

I clenched my jaw as I sat in my seat, trying to take deep breaths. Stay calm, stay calm...

"Well, that was very funny, and if you keep it up, I'm gonna punch your head off," Shawn threatened.

"And then your father's gonna pick it up."

I had to snap my eyes shut to calm down as I clenched and unclenched my fist. I hate it when someone is a jerk to someone I love. I hated it since I was a kid and I hate it as I live and breathe.

Mr. Turner came over, slinging his arm around Shawn's shoulders. "Hey, everything okay here? 'Cause if it is, we're just gonna take a little brief break for your education, okay?" They both stayed silent. "Great. Thanks. This won't take long." Shawn sat in his desk beside me. "Okay, now last time, we saw how H.G. Wells paints a real bleak picture of class differences in the future. Okay. Above the surface, you have the Eloi living the good life. Below the surface, living like animals, you got the Morlocks doing all the dirty work."

Mr. Hunter came in, rolling a T.V. to the front of the class. "Speaking of your dad..." Doug remarked, this only made my anger grow, my hand clamping around my pen.

"Speaking of head off..." Shawn replied.

"Now I know there are no pictures in the book, so I thought we might take a look at the film version of The Time Machine so for one time this year, you'll know what the heck I'm talking about," Mr. Turner said.

Mr. Hunter gave him the movie. "Here you go, Teach."

"Thanks, Chet."

He walked down the aisle to the door, patting Shawn's arm. "Hey, Shawn."

"Was that nice man your daddy?" Doug asked, taunting.

My hand clenched tighter around my pen. Don't snap. You haven't snapped on anyone since you moved here, keep it up...

"Shut up, Crandall," Cory told him.

"Ignore him," Topy added.

Doug pushed the empty sunflower shells and package on the floor. "Oops, look at the mess I made. Guess I better go get your father to clean it up." He got up, going to the door. "Hey, Shawn's pappy."

That's it.

Barely realizing it, my pen snapped in half. I left the pieces on my desk.

I felt my chest burn from anger. Shawn made a movement to stand up but I grab his hand, motioning for him to stay sitting.

Instead, I stood up. "Hey, Doug," I call, crossing my arms over my chest, my voice was surprisingly calm.

"What do you want, shorty?" Doug asked me.

All I saw was red.

"Your head on a stick," I remark before pulling my fist back and landing a punch to his nose.

I pulled him to the floor so I had the advantage so I was over him, throwing more hits and kicks, but before I could do more damage, Cory and Topy pulled me off of him and Mr. Turner pulled him back, Doug's nose began to bleed. "Hey, hey, hey! Knock it off! Knock it off!"

Once I was five feet away from Doug, everyone looked at me in surprise even Shawn. Sure, I've made verbal threats but I don't think they've ever seen me punch someone.

***

Later, I sat in Mr. Feeny's office, my fist resting in my lap. It's been a while since I've hit someone so it felt like my fist was throbbing.

"Hey," someone spoke from the doorway. It was Shawn who sat beside me. "How's your hand, Hulk?"

I didn't answer his question. "I'm sorry," I told him. "I just got so mad at the way he was talking about your family. And you've already gotten into trouble a lot lately, I didn't want to happen again because this one would've been much worse for you. I get it if you're mad."

"Hey, you defended me and my family. I'm not mad."

"You're not?"

"No."

"So why are you here?" I ask.

"Hey, I'm your Prince Charming. I'm always here for you. Plus, you're there for me in the office when I'm in deep."

I smiled, squeezing his hand. "Thanks."

"I'm just shocked. I've never seen you hit someone. You pack a mean punch."

"It's been a while," I admit. "I use to get in a lot of fights in California."

"Well, it's Ms. Cooper in my office for getting into a fight," Mr. Feeny said, entering the office. "I'm very surprised by you."

"Come on, Mr. Feeny, just punish me, and let's get on with our lives," I say.

"This is my life, Ms. Cooper, asking you what you've done and why you have done it."

"That jerk was talking horribly about my friend," I answer. "I let my rage get the best of me and I caused his bloody nose."

"It's nothing she did," Shawn spoke. It's about you hiring my father to be the janitor. My dad is picking up garbage at my school. How could you do that to me, Mr. Feeny?"

"Well, now, Shawn, I never actually considered that it would be awkward having your father work here," Mr. Feeny responded.

"Hey, how would you feel?"

"Well If your father working here is disruptive to your education, I will certainly have to reconsider his employment."

"You mean that? You're on my side?" Shawn asked.

"Frightening, isn't it? However, rather than take sides here, I think the best course would be to throw it to you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you are my student, and you have a right to decide whether you want your father to work here or not."

"So it's up to Shawn?" I ask.

"Yes, Ms. Cooper. It's up to him."

"So what's my punishment?" I ask.

"Betty..." Shawn began softly.

"I did start a fight and made a kid's nosebleed."

Mr. Feeny hummed. "I suppose you are right, Ms. Cooper. Two weeks of detention."

"Yes, sir," I agreed, walking out with Shawn.

***

Later at lunch, we were sitting by the lockers when Cory was placing down napkins on the wall we were sitting on and on the bench and floor below us.

"What are you doing?" Shawn asked him.

"Nothing. I just want to make sure that I don't make a mess," Cory replied.

"Since when do you care whether you make a mess or not?" I ask.

"Oh, I don't. I don't. I just think that when you make a mess, somebody's gotta clean it up, and I don't want anybody to clean it up."

"My dad's the janitor," Shawn repeated.

"Why are you always on that?" Cory asked.

Doug (who had a bandage over his nose) and his friend came over. He got close to Shawn. "So the toilet overflows, and Feeny asks the new janitor if he can handle it. Guy says, 'Hey, when I was with the CIA, I mopped up after the Sandinistas. I think I can mop up this'. Janitors are so colorful."

I dropped my sandwich on the bag. "Babe," Shawn began.

"I'm fine," I tell him, I stood up, going up to Doug. "How's your nose, Doug?" I ask.

"Bleeding and in pain," he answered.

"So I didn't break it? Maybe I should," I say, reeling back my fist but before I could fake a swing, he backed away and ran off with his friend.

"You're scary, Betty," Cory told me. "I'm glad you're my friend."

"I don't want to be scary, Cor," I say, sinking back onto the wall's edge. "I just want to be someone different from who I was back in California."

Shawn looked like contemplating before Mr. Feeny came out of the office. "Mr. Feeny."

"Yeah?"

"I've thought it over," Shawn said, getting off the wall.

"Oh, well. That took all of five minutes. I'm glad you gave it the time it deserved," Mr. Feeny dryly replied.

"I think it'd be best for everybody if you just let my dad go," Shawn answered.

"Ah. Well, it is important to look out for everybody."

"So when are you gonna let him go?" 

"It might take a few days to find a replacement. I'll tell your father about my decision after that, all right?" Mr. Feeny told him.

"Okay. Thanks, Mr. Feeny," Shawn said.

"No trouble, Mr. Hunter."

Cory and I climbed off the wall to approach Shawn.

As we did, Mr. Hunter came over. "Oh, man! What pig ate here?"

I chuckled at this as Cory says, "How'd I not see that?"

"Are you sure this is what you want?"  I ask Shawn.

"Yeah," Shawn answered. "You know, when you think about it, I'm actually doing my dad a favor. He needs a job where he can do something important."

"Are you sure about this?" I repeat.

"Yeah, I think I'm making the right decision."

***

I went home after school to see Zack and Archie in the kitchen.

"You okay?" Zack asked me.

"Fine," I answer, going into the cabinet for the package of cookies mom bought.

"You punched Doug Crandall," Archie stated.

"I did," I answer, going into the fridge for a glass of milk.

"Why?"

"Because Shawn's dad is working at our school as the janitor," I begin, pouring milk.

"Yeah. And?"

"Doug was making fun of Shawn for it." I place the gallon of milk back in the fridge. "I got mad at him and I swung for his nose."

"Wow," Zack said.

"What?" I ask, sitting at the table with the milk and cookies.

"You quit starting fights almost 5 years ago and all it took was for Crandall to tick off your boyfriend."

"Betty started fistfights?" Archie asked in surprise.

"Yeah," Zack answered, grabbing a cookie. "We both did, started them in kindergarten."

"It's not something I'm proud of," I reply.

"In third grade, she grabbed her skateboard and hit Bradley Peters in the face. His front teeth barely started growing, they fell out after he got it."

"Yikes," Archie said as I just sipped my milk, embarrassed. "What did he do?"

"He called me stupid and called my mom poor."

Archie's shocked face made me want to climb in a coffin and slam it shut.
"You're scary."

"Zack's no better. Don't let that face fool you, Archibald," I state. "When he was in karate, he high kicked Zeke Smith into a wall."

"Remind me not to make you Cooper twins mad," Archie stated.

"You're the big buff secret geek. You're fine," Zack told him. "But are you okay?" Zack asked me. "Seriously. You use to be addicted to fighting when we were little. We're teenagers now, you won't swing for anyone that tells you 'your shoes are ugly', will you?"

"Do you think my shoes are ugly?" I ask both boys.

"No," they both responded.

"Then, no."

***

At school, the next day, I got to school with Cory and Topanga to see Shawn talking with Mr. Feeny.

"...Oh, well, I don't know about that. I've already started the process of searching for a replacement," Mr. Feeny told him.

"Well, you have to cancel it, okay? Because you can't just do that to a guy who's finally found a steady job. And my mom, who's been waiting all this time for him to be responsible, came to the chair and put her arm around him. You have to cancel it," Shawn pleaded.

"Okey-dokey," Mr. Feeny agreed.

Shawn looked a bit confused. "What, just like that?"

"I'm the principal, Mr. Hunter. I wield great and mysterious powers. Besides that, I was never going to fire your father in the first place."

"Why not? Because this was never about your father, Shawn. This was always about you. You're the kid. You're in school. It's always about you."

Once he walked away, we all approached.

"Well, what the heck was that?" Shawn asked.

"I don't know. The man just runs our lives," Cory answered.

"Since fourth grade for me," I say.

"All right, Shawn. What was so important that we had to be here five minutes early?" Cory asked as Doug and his friend came in.

"Oh, I, uh, just wanted you to drink this milk," Shawn told him, pulling out a carton of milk.

Cory grinned. "All right. I guess I could always use a little milk."

"No milk for me?" I ask Shawn with a pout.

"Sorry, Bettykins. You'll like this though," Shawn told me.

"Oh, is this another one of those delightful little stunts?" Topy asked.

"Actually, Topanga, I think you're gonna like this one."

He smacked the milk carton out of Cory's hand causing Cory to say, "Shawn, look what you just made me do,"

"Yeah. Sorry, man," Shawn responded.

Doug walked over. "Hey, Hunter, looks like we get to start another day with your dad."

Topy wrapped her arms around me in a restraint. I smiled at her. "Thanks, Topy but I'm okay."

"Just in case," Topy told me.

"Yep, looks like we do, Doug," Shawn told him.

Mr. Hunter came out with a mop. "Well, looks like I'm needed here," he said.

Shawn stopped him. "Hold it. Here, Dad. Let me take care of that." He grabbed the mop and began to clean up the milk.

I grinned at this as Mr. Hunter told him, "Uh, you don't have to do that, Shawn."

"I know I don't. And I know you don't, either."

I pull from Topy, hugging Shawn from behind. "That's my Shawny. Janitor and all," I say pecking his cheek before waving to Doug. "Bye-bye."

***

Happy New year!

So I've got good news and bad news.

Good news:

I found some potential face claims to play as Betty and Shawn's children in Girl Meets World that are around Riley and Maya's age.

Comment which one you want. Both girl and boy 👇Or if you have a suggestion, also comment.

Girl(s)-
Millie Bobby Brown
Peyton List
Anya Taylor-Joy

Boy(s):
Noah Schnapp
Nick Robinson
Jaeden Martell

Bad news:

I don't want to make anyone worry but-

2 more chapters until Dangerous Secret...

4 more chapters until Jennifer Meet Philidelphia...