AllFreeNovel
Share Us
An eternity seemed to slip by as we stood in the parking lot staring at each other, and I waited for an answer. My heart screaming choose me but my mind, ever the pessimist and sometimes to undoing, said it won’t be you. You’re still not worth it.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Not taking my eyes off him I reach for my phone in my pocket. “Hello.” The voice on the other end is a lady telling me it’s Jacob’s school, and he was in a fight he started with two other students. Jacob doesn’t fight! Seeing my face, Landon comes closer, putting his hand on my arm.
I turn the phone off, and he says, “What’s wrong?”
I sigh, dropping the phone in my pocket. “They said Jacob was in a fight at school. I need to go.”
“Let me take you,” he says, pulling me closer.
“Not a good idea. I’m all over the place with you right now. I need to focus on Jacob. It’s not like him to get into a fight. To start one…he’s the most non-confrontational kid I know.” I chew on my lip trying to figure out why he would be fighting. “I need to tell Sam I have an emergency. I need to leave.”
“Don’t worry too much while you’re driving. I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. Jacob doesn’t seem like the fighting type to me. I’ll call you later,” he says, watching me run back inside.
Expelling a frustrated breath, I walk in the office. The first thing that registers is shock when my eyes hit on two women sitting in the central area, one of them being Bree, with her crutches.
What is she doing here?
She takes one look at me, eyes pulling together, lips tightening, and looks straight past me as if I’m not in the room. Seems like the offer of hanging out and being besties has been swiped clear off the table.
The uncomfortable thought hits me. Was Jackson one of the kids Jacob had a fight with? I sincerely hope not. That’s his best friend. I pick the farthest seat away from Bree and the woman who I’m guessing is the other student’s mother, sitting stone-faced.
I can’t believe Jacob was in a fight. Jacob never fights; he’s the kid who would back down from a physical fight. Something bad must have happened to upset him to the point he felt like he had to hit another child. I’m still skeptical about him and Jackson fighting. They’ve been having their issues lately, but I can’t imagine either one of them fighting each other.
I’m busy chewing off my lip with worry when Landon walks through the door. You don’t know how relieved I am to see him. My stress level instantly goes down with relief, until I stand up, and so does Bree, fumbling with her crutches.
His eyes shift back and forth, contemplating what to do. “Hey,” he says to no one in particular, while Bree and I stand still in a crucial game of Who Will He Choose?
“The parents of Jackson, Garrett, and Jacob?”
“Yes,” the four of us say.
“Good afternoon, I’m Principal Kramer. Please step into my office.”
Being closest to the door, I walk in first, and sit in the chair closest to the wall. I’ve never been called to the principal’s office, the entire time I attended school. I would never think I would be here for Jacob. Can’t say it makes me feel less anxious because I’m an adult. If anything, it’s more nerve-wracking when it’s your kid, who never gets in trouble or loses his temper, especially with his best friend.
I notice Garrett’s mother sits on the other chair next to the wall, unfortunately leaving one chair in the middle next to me.
Helping her with her crutches, Landon says, “Go ahead and sit down, Bree. I’ll stand.”
“Mr…?” The principal holds his hand out to Landon.
“Jessup.” Landon shakes his hand.
“Jackson’s father, and this must be your wife?” He extends a hand to Bree.
“Yes, I’m Mrs. Jessup, and Jackson is our son,” she says, loud, clear, and confident.
I shake my head, hating that word “wife” a little more each time it’s directed at her.
“I can bring in an extra chair?” the principal says to Landon.
“No thanks, I can stand. I’m anxious to know what this is about.”
“As am I.” He extends his hand, first to me, and then the other parent, before he sits behind his desk. Hands folded, stern features set in place, as if he’s ready to give a scolding.
I feel the nervousness building from his look and being in this small room with these other people. As Principal Kramer speaks, I don’t look over my shoulder, but I know Landon’s eyes are glued to me. For the first time since we’ve been together, I don’t know how that makes me feel. He hardly acknowledged me. Not able to help myself I turn my head against my will and yes, he’s staring at me, giving me a faint smile I hardly return turning away. Depending on how this situation plays out, things are probably going to change.
