"You Can't Bench Me!"
Triggers: Gabriel being Gabriel
Gabriel waited restlessly in the Principal's office; even as an adult it made his insides turn cold and a constant stream of 'what could I have done now' played on a loop in his mind. There hadn't been much of a warning, just Principal Shurley sticking his head into his art room and requesting his presence during the lunch hour. He let his eyes move around the room as he waited; his mind whirling as he tried to figure out what he'd done to be summoned. Thankfully his mental gymnastics were cut short but the Principal walking in and shutting the door behind him.
"Gabriel."
"Principal Shurley." He replied with a nod.
The other man took his time to get comfortable behind his desk and Gabriel dug his fingers into the sides of his thighs to try and keep himself calm and not rush whatever was about to happen. After what felt like an eternity passed Principal Shurley leaned forward in his chair and clasped his hands on the top of the desk, eyes locked with Gabriel's.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you in here today." He started slowly.
"I was a bit curious. Is there a new project you need me to oversee." Gabriel replied in what he hoped was a calm tone despite the way he felt as if he was about to crawl out of his skin with nerves.
"As you know the Faculty roller hockey tournament is coming up and I was going to let you know that this year you're going to be sitting this game out."
"What? I'm the best player for the Electives team!"
"I know you are, you and Donna carry that team against the Academics team." Principal Shurley rubbed at his eyes as he leaned back. "However due to....actions outside of my control, I will not be pulling you from the game at this point as the original reason for doing so is now notwithstanding."
Gabriel blinked at the other man, tilting his head slightly to the side as he tried to work out what the principal had said.
"Uh...thank you? I think." He settled on. "Can I ask why?"
"Why what?"
"Why..all of it..."
Principal Shurley's hand fell away from his face as he huffed exasperatedly at Gabriel. "Well apparently the students had put together a betting pool about how you would manage to 'crash' into Mr. Winchester this year."
A slight flush crawled over Gabriel's face and he averted his gaze as he rubbed at the back of his neck.
"I'm not quite sure I understand what you're talking about."
"Gabriel..." Principal Shurley reached into the drawer of his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper and with a quick look at Gabriel he put his glasses on and started reading. "Ten students are betting on a rehash of the year where you fell face first into Mr. Winchester's crotch while three feel like you'll managed to find yourself face down on the floor with Mr. Winchester draped over you again and the others are betting on you straddling Mr. Winchester again during/after the fall." He put the paper down and Gabriel felt his flush intensify. "Now this list found its way into the hands of one of the parents and they are very upset about what their precious children are being subjected too. Though I must admit your niece Claire did have put down that somehow you'd manage to pin Mr. Winchester to the ground this year."
"Those were all accidents.."
"We are well aware Gabriel, you have maintained that every time it has happened. However it's now a moot point since Mr. Winchester will not be playing in the tournament this year due to a flaming trebuchet incident in class."
"A..what?"
"Apparently one of Mr. Winchester's history lesson's went awry and he took a flaming ping pong ball to the eye during a mock war and is now sporting a nice singed bruise and an eye patch. He and his brother will be doing commentary for the tournament so there is no reason for me to pull you from the game at this point."
Before Gabriel could respond the bell rang to signal the end of lunch and Principal Shurley waved him away. Getting up Gabriel let himself out; shutting the door as Principal Shurley called out about behaving himself during the tournament.