Page 111 of Crew
"I could write you up for having an attitude." His jaw clenched.
I didn't know what Principal Neeon would or could do, but I sensed his desperation. There was rage in there too, just under the surface. I wondered, for the first time ever, if he'd get angry enough to go outside the system.
No.
I dismissed that idea. I was overreacting. He wouldn't do anything. He couldn't do anything... Unless... I noticed the phones pointing in our direction.
Sick dread pooled at the bottom of my stomach.
We hadn't been watching on Wednesday. Someone could've pulled out a phone. We could've been recorded. There could be evidence out there right now. It still might not show what had actually happened, but they wouldn't care. They never did.
"Come on, Mr. N." Alex tried again. "We're just chilling."
"Stop trying to bullshit me, Mr. Ryerson. I'm well aware of the confrontations between you and Miss Monroe lately." He pointed to the cameras in the corner. "Don't forget those are there. They're there for a reason--safety for the other students and for you all as well." His eyes lingered on me, falling to my ribs.
"What's going on?"
Jordan's voice now drew everyone's attention. He announced his presence as if he had the authority to be included in this conversation. It worked.
Both Principal Neeon and Alex shifted, creating an opening for Jordan to step forward. He did, with Zellman right next to him. I glanced around and spotted Cross not far away--just behind Alex, leaning back against the locker on the other side of Taz's. It was the perfect attack position. He could jump and take Alex out if anything were to happen.
"You're not a part of this conversation, Pitts."
I almost laughed. Principal Neeon had allowed him in without realizing it.
Jordan's face was blank. "You're right, Mr. N. I'm not, but Bren is like family to me, so you know how it is." He reached up, placing his hand on Principal Neeon's shoulder. "I'm sure you'd be concerned if it were your daughter."
Oh no...
Everyone paused for a moment. Just a moment. One peaceful moment, and I closed my eyes because I knew when I opened them, all hell would start.
And it did.
I looked again just as Principal Neeon knocked Jordan's hand away. He reached for his shirt, and in one motion, he picked Jordan up and slammed him against the locker. "Are you threatening my daughter?"
I had to dive out of the way, saying a quick mental prayer that my ribs had healed fast.
Jordan's back crashed into the metal, and Principal Neeon raised him off his feet. "Are you kidding me, you punk kid?! Who do you think you are?" His face was right in front of Jordan's. "What are you going to do? Hurt my daughter? Huh? HUH?!"
"Hey. Whoa. Whoa." A strained laugh came from Jordan. He looked at Principal Neeon's hands for a moment. "I was asking if you'd be worried about your daughter in a situation like this." He bobbed his head toward me. "That's all."
I'd moved out of the way, but not far, and I could feel Cross right behind me. We were sticking close, in case Jordan needed our help.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Mr. Jenston tried to wade in through the sea of students gathered around us. Two of Ryerson's crew weren't moving. Mr. Jenston scowled, unable to get past them, and he finally took one and shoved him aside. His tie flapped back over his shoulder.
"Robert." He straightened his tie, smoothed a hand down his shirt, and patted Mr. N's arm. "Let's let go of the student."
"He threatened my daughter, Pat."
Mr. J frowned, shooting Jordan a look, but moved to face Principal Neeon. "Come on, Robert. Think about this. You're physically manhandling a student. You know you have to let him go."
"This little shit punk of a kid." The principal's hands tightened on Jordan's shirt, and he started to lean even closer. He shook his head. "You think you can do whatever you want? You went after one of us. Yeah. We heard the rumors. I don't give a shit if there's no evidence. You can't do that. You messed up real bad this week, you and your crew's slu--"
"Hey!"
I didn't know who said that, but it wasn't quick enough.
I heard. I knew what he'd been about call me.
