Page 45 of Boys Like You

What the hell was that? I push the thought right back to wherever it was hiding, along with all the other flashbacks. I don’t want to remember. I can’t. I haven’t told the guys about the gut feeling I get after my nightmares; a feeling that someone is coming for me, and when they do, it isn’t going to end well…for me.

All six of us are seated in an empty classroom; Mr Turner moved us while we waited for our caregivers.

“I have asked you all here because there was an incident today. Maximus and JD are the only two directly involved, but as you can see the others refuse to leave. I have an injured student, and her parents are demanding action.”

“With all due respect sir, she came at Maximus, calling him a mute. When she attacked his weaknesses, I snapped. She’s a bully and I put her in her place.” I can't help myself, the words just slip out. “She’s not hurt, not physically. Maybe her pride.”

“That may be so, JD, but we have a zero tolerance for violence. You put your hands on a student, and Maximus on a teacher. There has to be repercussions for that.”

“So,” Carson interjects, “you want to punish a girl for standing up to a bully? Are you not taking it seriously because it was a female student picking on a male? Are you insinuating his rights are not as important as hers?”

“Of course not, she will have consequences for her actions.” Mr Turner’s face flushes and he loosens his tie.

“And what would that punishment be?” Carson throws back at him.

“I cannot disclose information about another student without them present.”

Rory stands and walks closer to Mr Turner. “She will get a slap on the wrist because her parents are loaded. I would tread carefully if I were you, I wonder how my letter would read. Dear Mrs Turner, your shrimp dick husband likes to bang…”

“Rory, mind yourself.”

“Sorry, Mumma B.” Rory hangs his head, shuffling back a few steps.

Mr Turner snaps. “Since you all insist on sticking together, you can take the rest of the day to re-evaluate your positions in the school. I will see you all tomorrow.”

“Before you go anywhere, I would like to know why my son’s medical needs were not attended to seriously? I'm supposed to be notified.” Maximus' mum juts her chin out, ready to go to battle.

“You're here, are you not?” he states bluntly.

“I was called here on the assumption my son was in trouble. I only learned of my son’s need when Levi called me. Now if the teacher that was on duty had given the children space rather than close in on them while they were attending to Maximus' needs, half of this situation could have been avoided.” Baldy speaks up. He has been extremely quiet.

“I was trying to remove JD from the situation; she was wrapped around the boy and refusing to leave.”

“You're telling me she was comforting my child and you were so concerned about removing her that you didn't consider just waiting, taking her name and following up with her at a later time? And you thought putting your hands on a student was the best idea?”

Levi’s aunt steps forward. “As an officer of the law, I would like to remind you that the students have rights. Putting your hands on a child could land you in some serious trouble.”

Once Levi’s aunt finishes talking, we’re all able to leave. Rory’s mum managed to call in and he was allowed to leave. I apologised to Beth for having her drive all the way here, but she insisted it was fine.

“It’s important to stand up for family and what’s right, but maybe next time use words rather than force.” She gives me a stern look before smiling and patting my hand. “Don’t forget you have an appointment with your therapist today.”

“I won’t. I might just hang with the guys until then, if that’s okay?”

She nods, climbing into the car. “That’s fine.”

“So, rebel. What do you want to do for the rest of the day?” Mercer asks, throwing his arm over my shoulder, pulling me tight into his side.

“Can we just hang out somewhere?” All the guys nod.

We decide on Mumma B’s seeing as I have an appointment later and I catch a ride with Mercer.

“I'm going to sign up for a fight night soon, would you want to come watch?” He keeps his focus on the road.

“That would be amazing.”

I think I ask him a million questions about the fights and what to expect. Apparently, it’s very laid back; everyone just gets together and shows off what they can do. It still surprises me he fights. He doesn’t come across as violent.

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