Page 150 of Crew
"No, no." Principal Brohgers cleared his throat. He scooted even closer to his desk and placed his arms on top. "We'd like to work with the crews, get all of them integrated with this program."
Horror lodged in my throat--one big ball I couldn't swallow or spit out. I had to suffer it.
"Are you kidding me?" That was a horrible idea.
"It's not a bad program--"
"Let me guess," I managed, still reeling inside. "You want to fix the crews, work with the older members and have them encourage younger members to go to this prison, get mentored by a convict, and learn how to be nice. Right? No more bad crews?"
They just stared at me.
I couldn't have been far off, so I stood up. If I didn't get out of here, I was going to say things that would get me suspended again. Or worse.
"I have to go." I started for the door.
"Wait!" Principal Brohgers stood as well, his hand extended as if he could physically stop me. "Don't go. Please. We want to work with you guys. We don't want to continue down this path."
I stopped and turned around. "What do you mean by 'this path'?"
Superintendent Miller scratched behind his ear, looking everywhere except at me.
"Bren."
I heard the appeasing voice that adults used when they were about to promise you daisies, yet hand you rotten weeds.
I wasn't going to like this, whatever it was.
He tugged at his collar. "Uh...we realize the crew system began because there was a need to uproot a power alliance at this school. While we can understand the attraction crews have for certain students, you have to understand our concern with them."
My mouth was dry. The flame was there, a small flicker.
"Certain students?" I echoed their words.
