Joining up with their buddies, including Blaise, Constance, Damien, and John, who had all been suspended along with them, they headed into school.
Now, normal kids may be slightly embarrassed to have their parents escort them into school to deal with the principal. Their parents, the leather cuts, the scars, all of them looking fierce as fuck, Tabitha was proud. Holding her head high, they entered the school and walked down to the main reception.
First were Constance, Blaise, John, Damien, and their parents. They were the civilians. Taking one of the now-vacant seats next to Simon, they were all silent as they waited.
“Fuck me,” Lash said, the first to speak up. “Damn, could you imagine me and you here?” He nudged Nash’s shoulder.
“Hell, no.” Nash whistled. “We would’ve burned this place down to the ground.”
Tabitha smiled. Lash and Nash were brothers. Their parents had been killed, which put them in Tiny’s care.
“I don’t even want to imagine you boys here.” Tiny shook his head. “I’ve already got a son here.”
“Don’t worry, pop, I’m keeping the family name alive.” Miles spread his arms wide as if he was talking with real passion.
She tapped her foot on the floor, waiting.
Their friends came out looking bored while their parents were pale.
The principal had done a number on them. Clearly stating what would happen if they continued to hang out with this unsavory crowd.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she got to her feet as the principal cleared his throat. It was their turn. The seats were available for the parents. She stood behind her father’s chair.
“I hope you all understand and appreciate this school from this day forward,” the principal said. “I will not have fights or bullying.”
“Hold the fuck up. We don’t bully.”
“Son!”
“We don’t bully,” Miles said, repeating himself.
“If they don’t bully, don’t put them in the same league as some of your other kids,” Lash said. “In fact, let’s not pretend here. I donate a lot of money to this school.” He leaned forward. “I accepted this suspension as a healthy teaching opportunity, but let’s cut the shit. A couple of girls got into Tabitha’s face. She defended herself. The next time she defends herself, this will not swing your way. Understood? Our kids are entitled to an education. You can spew your little rules and laws, but let’s face it, I bet the first chance you get, a hot little piece of ass comes in here, you’d be all over it, so don’t even think of trying to test me or my family. Every single kid, even those little fuckers you just had in and tried to scare their parents, they are my family. They are my responsibility, and if you want to go down that path, bring it. You will not punish them without coming to me first.”
“You don’t seem to know how this works.”
“I know how this works. I was a kid and now I’m a fucking adult. I know the hypocrisy dripping from you and I don’t like it. Next time you got a problem, you call me. Don’t ever make this kind of decision without me.” Lash slammed his hand against the table. “I think that is all that needs to be said.”
They got to their feet and left the principal’s office.
“Remember what I said,” Tiny said. He kissed her head and ruffled Miles’s hair, who backed away, groaning.
“I’m not six anymore.”
“You’ll always be my baby,” Tiny said.
“Dad, stop. It’s gross.”
Lash whistled. “Be good. That threat, it was a real one, but I can still only protect you so far.”
“Got it,” they all said in unison.
“Simon, I enrolled you for the time being. I’ve also pulled some strings. The teachers know you’re a year ahead but I arranged for you to be in classes with these guys,” Lash said. “Your shit is at the main reception. You will all be picked up at the end of the day.”
Their parents left and they stood there staring at each other.
“Looks like I’m in school with you guys,” Simon said.
“I’ll help him,” Tabitha said. “Catch you all at lunch.”
Daisy pulled her close, kissing her cheek.
They all left, heading toward their first class of the day, while she went to the main reception with Simon. The woman at the counter was so nervous. Her hand shook as she passed over his schedule, which was set out in a two-week set of classes. They took a seat and she pulled her schedule out of her back pocket.
“We’ve got a couple of classes together. I can’t believe he managed to arrange that.”
“I have biology now.”
“I’ll walk you to class,” she said. Standing up, she took his hand and they walked side by side toward his biology class. “Daisy’s in here, so she’ll help you to your next class.”
“When do I see you again?” he asked.