Ashley had never been so excited to go back to school. Being trapped inside had almost driven her up the wall and she was ready to be outside again. Her stitches were out and all she had left was a small scar to remember the event by. Despite the fact that the storms had disappeared, her dad had made sure she was bundled up before she left for the day. Proudly wearing Nathaniel’s coat, she headed out the door.
She’d seen Nathaniel twice since the day of their first kiss. They were officially an unofficial couple. Nobody knew about them yet by Ashley’s knowledge. Nathaniel didn’t care about spreading the news so that duty fell to Ashley. Ashley was still a bit nervous about telling her friends. Liz had acted okay with it, but who knew what she might actually feel underneath that smile of hers. Kara was so unpredictable that Ashley wasn’t sure what she’d do. She might be perfectly fine with it or she might try and hit Nathaniel just for the hell of it.
Kara was smiling when Ashley came into their class. Once the bell rang for lunch, Ashley started to leave when Kara tapped on her shoulder and motioned for her to wait.
“What?” asked Ashley.
“What happened to you?” asked Kara. “You’ve changed again.” Ashley just smiled at Kara. She couldn’t hide anything from this girl.
“Why do you say that?”
“You’re too happy.”
“I’m just happy to be out of the house again.”
“You’re a bad liar Ashley. Has anyone ever told you that before?” Ashley smirked.
“All the time. Let’s go.” Kara raised her eyes and grabbed her bag.
“Ah I see. I should’ve figured.”
“You don’t see anything,” retorted Ashley. “You’re just saying that hoping I’ll give you a hint.”
“I don’t need a hint. You’re obvious,” said Kara. They headed out of the class and Ashley figured she might as well tell everyone at lunch. She split up with Kara halfway to the cafeteria.
“I’ll catch up with you. I need to grab something from my locker.”
“Alright. Don’t take too long with Nathaniel.”
Kara slipped away into the crowd just as Ashley glared back at her. Kara was way too good at predicting things. Ashley didn’t need to get anything from her locker, she was going to say hi to Nathaniel real quick. Originally she’d planned to tell everyone without Nathaniel there, but now she might as well bring him along. At least Kara seemed okay with it.
When she got to her locker Nathaniel wasn’t there yet. His last class before lunch was math so he had a bit to walk. She opened her locker and debated if she needed anything. In went the English book and out came the history book. She slammed the locker door shut and saw a face on just the other side. It sadly wasn’t Nathaniel, but Monica.
“You think you’re so clever.” Monica said with a sneer.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Humiliating me and getting away with it. You left school with that sob act and everybody just ate it up.”
“Go away Monica.”
“Not until you know you’re going to pay for this.”
Ashley just shook her head and walked out of the row of lockers. Monica wasn’t going to listen to her so why should she listen back? Monica gave a loud huff.
“I’m not done with you yet.”
“I’m done with you. Get lost.” Ashley herself was surprised by her own confidence. She didn’t feel she was any better than Monica, she just didn’t care. It was Monica’s little issue and she didn’t want to deal with it.
“No you’re not.”
Ashley cried out as Monica caught hold of her long hair and yanked her back. Ashley spun around to see Monica’s smirking face. She started to gloat over her but Ashley had enough. She smacked Monica’s hand to free her hair and then brought up her other hand and slapped her across the face. The now gathering crowd made a loud “oooh”. Monica held her face and cried out.
“Get it through your thick head Monica,” said Ashley sternly. “I don’t want to deal with you. Now just leave me alone already.” Monica gave her an evil look. Ashley raised her hand again and Monica paused. “Good girl. Now back off.” A large hand clamped onto Ashley’s wrist and squeezed. She looked behind her and saw Marten, Monica’s boyfriend.
“Nobody hits my girlfriend and gets away with it. Not even another girl.”
He let go of her hand before he backhanded her. Marten was clearly holding back but it still sent her back into the lockers. A few angry cries went out in the crowd but nobody advanced on the menacing Marten. She looked up at him with hate in her eyes. Monica was moving to join her man boy and tell him how sweet he was. Unfortunately she never got the chance.
Somebody kicked Marten in the side of the face so hard he went past Ashley and smashed against a different locker. Marten turned around furious, but his face suddenly went white as his attacker’s hair. Nathaniel was absolutely glowing with rage. Ashley swore she saw fire in his eyes and his hair seemed to stand on end as he loomed over Marten. Marten recovered well and moved to meet Nathaniel.
“You got a problem Nathaniel?”
“Yeah. You hit my girlfriend.”
Everyone started whispering at once. Marten panicked and stumbled. Ashley had to admire her boyfriend’s reputation. It usually got him in trouble, but it also meant he was trouble. Trouble Marten didn’t want.
“Hey I only did it because she hit mine.”
“And I’m only doing this because you hit mine.” Loud shouting started and some of the crowd began to disperse. Teachers were making their way through to break up the fight. Ashley felt her cheek and sat upright.
“Stop!” shouted a teacher, but Nathaniel was already moving. Marten’s hands came up too slow as Nathaniel’s fist connected with his jaw. Marten hit the floor again and this time he didn’t get up. He cringed and rolled before meekly surrendering. The teachers came through and leapt between Nathaniel and Marten. Nathaniel didn’t care as he went over to pick up Ashley.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
“Better now. You’re late,” she joked.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to be fighting again.” Ashley grinned.
“She started it.” Nathaniel gave a small laugh and nuzzled his head onto hers.
“Both of you get to the office now!” shouted a teacher they didn’t know. “You too young lady!” The man pointed a finger at Monica who whimpered in surprise. She was trying to help Marten get up.
“But my boyfriend,” started Monica.
“Fine. You go with him to the nurse’s office, but you’re not out of trouble yet.” Monica gave a small nod and scooted away. A teacher followed Nathaniel and Ashley to the office, but it was unnecessary. They walked there in each other’s arms.
“We’re going to get in a lot of trouble for this,” whispered Ashley.
“Naw,” started Nathaniel, “it was all self-defense. We’ll be alright.” He opened the office door and let Ashley and the teacher in. The teacher pointed for them to sit and headed off to the principal’s office. Ashley felt her face again and it stung. Nathaniel looked at her worried.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, he just surprised me.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I got him better.”
She gave him a smile, but secretly dreaded their punishment. Even if it was self-defense they could both be in trouble. Nathaniel had gone a little overboard. His reputation wouldn’t help him in here. The teacher came past them and Nathaniel waved to get his attention.
“Can we get an icepack for Ashley?”
“Yes. I was heading to the nurse’s office anyway to get the other two. I’ll bring you one on the way back.”
“Thank you.” Nathaniel looked back and saw Ashley’s phone in her hand. “What are you doing?”
“Texting my dad and giving him the heads up. I’m sure he’ll want to know.”
“Good idea. If my dad knew how to text I’d text him too.” They waited what felt like forever. The other teacher came back with Monica and had her sit in a different room. He gave the icepack to Ashley who gently pressed it to her cheek. Her cheek must’ve been sporting a large bruise because the ice pack felt amazing and everyone kept shooting her sideways glances. The principal’s door opened and out came a counselor named Tom.
“Come with me you two. We need to talk.”
Ashley sighed as they stood up. Tom was usually such a vibrant and understanding man, but he seemed so cold today. They followed him into his office and he closed the door.
“Well you two have certainly been busy,” he said as he sat down.
“We don’t even try,” said Nathaniel coolly. Tom shook his head.
“Please no sarcasm today Nathaniel. I just had to have a long talk with the principal concerning your fight and what to do with you both.”
“Nothing,” said Nathaniel. “It was an act of self-defense. Ashley defended herself from Monica and I defended her from Marten.”
“No, it doesn’t work that way. Monica pulling on Ashley’s hair doesn’t justify her smacking her the way she did. As bad as it is, Marten slapping Ashley doesn’t justify you trying to give him a concussion. At least not while it’s still during school and on school property.”
Ashley couldn’t believe what she was hearing. That had really hurt when Monica had pulled on her hair.
“So what did the principal say?” asked Nathaniel.
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“He told me we can’t put up with this anymore. He said to make it clear no side was right and punish all four of you.”
“How bad?” asked Ashley.
“Both you and Monica are looking at detention for a long time,” said Tom. “Both Nathaniel and Marten are looking at suspension with possible expulsion.” She squeezed Nathaniel’s hand tightly.
“You can’t do that,” said Nathaniel.
“The principal can and will. The schools have a zero tolerance policy and both you and Marten have been treading that fine line for a while. This kind of punishment should’ve come years ago. Consider yourself lucky it has only now happened.”
“I don’t consider my expulsion being lucky at all.” Nathaniel’s face was contorted and angry now. “I don’t see how I can be punished for protecting my girlfriend from a dangerous attacker.”
“Marten isn’t some dangerous mugger, he’s an idiot,” said Tom in an honest voice.
“Marten is twice my size and caught me by surprise!” exclaimed Ashley. “If Nathaniel hadn’t come when he did who knows what would’ve happened to me. Nobody else came to my defense. Not even a teacher was there to stop him.” Tom sighed.
“Look, I don’t make the rules. I’m not in charge of the school and there’s nothing I can do about it. I tried talking to the principal on your behalf but he’s not hearing it.”
“So what do you suggest?” asked Nathaniel darkly. Tom raised an eye and leaned back.
“Honestly, I’d go home. Let it blow over a little and let the heat die down. This whole thing could disappear by tomorrow provided it all goes well. The last thing I would do is make this a bigger issue. If you two do any more fighting it will only prove the principal right. Understand?” They both nodded. “If things don’t go well, just remember you’re not alone. Both Monica and Marten are in for it too.”
“Somehow that doesn’t comfort me,” said Nathaniel as he stood up. He tugged on Ashley’s hand and she rose to her feet. “Are we done here?”
“You’re both written up already, so yes. I think you’re old enough to leave without us having your parents coming to get you.”
“What did my dad have to say about this?” asked Ashley.
“Nothing. We couldn’t get a hold of either of your parents. Your dad wasn’t in his shop Nathaniel and your dad isn’t answering his phone Ashley. I’m sure we’ll be hearing from them though.”
“You will. I can promise you that,” laughed Nathaniel. He pulled Ashley out of the office and grabbed their bags. They headed outside to the seemingly empty school. Nobody was out right now as they were all in class. They walked through the halls and out to the parking lot.
“I’m so sorry Nathaniel.” started Ashley. “I never meant to get you in trouble.”
“You didn’t. I got myself into trouble.”
“But it was all my fault.”
“No, you had your own trouble. I just chose to get involved. Trust me, you’re worth the minimal punishment.”
“Being expelled isn’t minimal.”
“Just you wait,” said Nathaniel. They walked through the parking lot towards Ashley’s jeep. Halfway there Nathaniel stopped. He cocked his head to the side and turned around. Ashley watched him curiously.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Don’t you hear it? That thick rumble of a big truck?” Ashley listened but didn’t hear anything. Either her hearing was bad or Nathaniel’s really was that good.
“No.”
“Come on. We need to get more by the street.” Nathaniel almost ran them to the street corner. After a few seconds Ashley could hear the rumble. A very large engine was coming towards them from somewhere.
“It’s the unmistakable rumble of my dad’s beast of a truck. Now the entertainment will begin.”
Sure enough, Nathaniel’s dad came around the street in his huge truck. He must’ve been driving it hard because it screeched around the corner and it sounded louder than normal. Nathaniel waved his dad down and the truck came to a stop next to them. Ashley was surprised to see her dad in the passenger seat.
“Dad!” shouted Nathaniel. “How’s it going?” Both dads got out of the car with concerned looks on their faces. Ashley’s dad became very angry when he saw Ashley’s bruised face.
“What happened Ashley? I got your text about a fight and you and Nathaniel getting in trouble. What happened to you? Why are you out here?”
They started the whole story from the beginning and didn’t leave out a detail. Ashley’s dad balled his hands into fists when the part of Marten hitting her came up. Morgan smiled when she said Nathaniel protected her.
“Okay, so why are you both out here?” asked Morgan.
“Well we’re both sent home for fighting,” said Nathaniel. “Ashley is getting in a lot of trouble for it and I may be expelled for it.”
“What!” roared Morgan. “Why?”
“Because I hurt Marten too much for hitting Ashley.”
“That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!” shouted Ashley’s dad. “Getting in trouble for defending my daughter? Oh your principal and I are going to have a talk!”
“Not before me!” claimed Morgan, cracking his knuckles. “Punishing my boy for doing everything that he was taught. For being a gentleman no less! I’ve got a few questions for your principal.” Morgan stomped into the school with Ashley’s dad right behind him. Ashley looked at Nathaniel concerned.
“Should we follow them?” Nathaniel shook his head.
“I don’t think so. I haven’t seen my dad this mad since I trapped my little brother as a kid. Funny story, remind me to tell you sometime. No, I think we should just get in the truck and wait. It’ll be safer in there.” They got into the back seat and waited. Ashley admired how big the seats were and just laid against Nathaniel with her eyes closed. She was scared and she didn’t know what to say now. She didn’t want her first boyfriend here to be expelled from school because of her.
“Did you ever tell Liz and Kara that we were dating?” Ashley smiled and shook her head. “Well they probably know now anyway.” They both laughed.
“I think the whole school knows we’re dating now,” whispered Ashley.
“We couldn’t have just gone to a dance together and announced it that way. Noooo…my girlfriend had to smack down the popular girl.”
“She deserved it.”
“I didn’t say she didn’t. It’s just funnier this way. I guess we aren’t exactly the normal couple.”
“I like us just how we are,” said Ashley as she held tightly onto his arm.
They waited for another five minutes when they heard a shout nearby. They looked out the window and saw Morgan and Alex were coming back. Only Alex had veered away and was moving to talk to another man in the parking lot. Nathaniel cracked the door open so they could hear.
“Do you know what your son did?” shouted Alex. The man shook his head. Ashley realized it must’ve been Marten’s dad. He was a bit bigger than her dad, but her dad seemed to be the far more intimidating one.
“I only heard that he got into a fight at school.”
“Your son hit my daughter!” Alex’s pointing finger was so close to Marten’s dad he could’ve poked his eye out. “She’s got a large bruise across her face to prove it.” Marten’s dad became red in the face.
“Are you serious?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding!”
“I can promise you I didn’t teach him that. I can also promise you he’s going to learn his mistake. No son of mine strikes a lady!”
“You better teach him a lesson. If you don’t then I sure as hell will! I can promise you that.” Marten’s dad looked a bit shaken up but furious. He stormed into the school and their parents came towards the truck. Ashley scooted a bit away from Nathaniel and buckled herself in.
“How’d it go?” asked Nathaniel. Morgan gave him a sly grin.
“Your principal was practically pissing his pants by the time we were done with him. We let him know that he can’t punish our kids for this kind of crap.”
“No he can’t. If he still tries to push it, I’ll make sure he loses his job,” snapped Alex. “We can pull enough clout to drag him out of there.”
“They’ll need some people to drag him out of there after what you did,” laughed Morgan. “That was ruthless Alex. I never knew you had a fighter in you.”‘
“Nobody threatens my family,” said Alex as he looked back at Ashley. Ashley felt warm as her dad looked at her. Then he eyed Nathaniel. “Or anybody who protects my family.” Morgan gave him an approving looked and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Good man. I say we get some lunch before we get into trouble. You kids haven’t eaten yet right?” They both nodded. “Excellent. How’s Mexican sound?”
“Sounds great,” said Alex. “How about it Ashley?”
“I like spicy,” she said with a smile. Nathaniel laughed.
“What she said.” Nathaniel looked out the window and tapped on his dad’s shoulder. “Dad, I think we have company.” They all looked back at the school and saw a small group of counselors coming towards them. Morgan grinned and drove away from the school.
“What do you think they wanted?” asked Ashley.
“I can guess,” said her dad. Morgan just laughed.
“Cold. Very cold.”
“What’s cold?” asked Ashley. Both dads looked back at Ashley and said in unison.
“Nothing.”
Ashley frowned as she knew they weren’t telling her something. She didn’t ask again because she knew her dad would never tell until he wanted to. Morgan drove them into downtown and stopped his truck outside a small Mexican restaurant called Grande Comida.
“Original name,” she said as they all got out of the car.
“Original name to go with original food,” said Morgan. “You won’t find better Mexican in this town.” He opened the door for them and they all went inside. A waitress led them to a table near the back. They looked through the menu for a few minutes and ordered. All the while both dads couldn’t stop talking about the principal and the school’s stupid policy.
To Ashley’s surprise, they attracted the attention of a few of the patrons nearby. Small towns love gossip and most of them had kids in school or had gone there at some point. Ashley had to remind herself that small towns were like this. Everybody had to know a little about everything. Both she and Nathaniel were questioned to verify their dad’s stories as well. Everybody seemed just as appalled as their parents were.
“That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” said one man. “Punishing Nathaniel for sticking up for Ashley? Since when did we punish good deeds?”
“My daughter is in middle school right now. Will somebody be punished for defending her if she gets hit?”
“The school may say otherwise, but I say you did the right thing boy,” said an elderly man. “People these days are just missing the big picture.”
“What did the principal say when you spoke with him?” asked a woman.
“He said the policy was final and there was nothing I could do about it,” said Morgan. “I told him we’d go higher than him if he kept this up and we’d make sure he lost his job over it. We weren’t going to stand for our kids being mistreated like this.” There was a murmur of approval. “Then he said the worst thing I’ve ever heard. He told us we should be more concerned with raising our kids right than his job.” There was a loud hiss from their listeners. Even the waiter who brought their food frowned and whispered a few choice remarks.
“I’m furious just hearing those words,” commented the old man.
“So was I!” said Morgan who was getting more excited. “My blood was boiling that he’d dared to say such a comment. I didn’t even know what I should do after hearing such a thing.”
“I would’ve knocked him silly,” said the man. Morgan laughed.
“I thought about it, but Alex here beat me to it!” The restaurant laughed, but Ashley was stunned. She looked to her dad who merely smiled as he ate his burrito.
“Did you really hit my principal?” she asked.
“Just gave him what he deserved,” he said with a sly smile.
“Did he ever!” exclaimed Morgan. “I didn’t realize your dad was that strong Ashley. One blow and your principal was down. Bam!” Morgan punched his own hand before laughing. “I’ll tell you all Alex made my day right there.”
Ashley looked from her dad, to Morgan, to Nathaniel in search of some type of support. How was she supposed to feel about this? She wasn’t bothered that he’d defended her, but she was worried he might be in trouble now as well as them! All three of them were in for it now.
“Well looks like the principal might be after you,” said the waiter as he came back. “There’s an officer at the door.” Their small crowd went quiet. Alex just stood up and waved the policeman over. Ashley went white as a sheep, and she swore her heart stopped. Her dad could be in a hundred times more trouble than her.
“Officer Kenneth, good to see you again,” said her dad with a smile and an extended hand. The officer took his hand and shook it.
“Hello Mr. Jameson, Mr. Lexington.”
“I’ve told you before Ken, it’s just Morgan to you. How’s the car handling?”
“Great. She hasn’t given me any steering problems since.”
“Good to hear. I don’t want you driving around with problems like that when the snow comes.”
“Yeah me neither.” Ashley was still panicking, but she kept it together and kept up a smile.
“So I suppose you know why I’m here,” said the officer slowly. Alex nodded. “Not a very nice thing you did to the poor principal.”
“Not a very nice thing what he said about my kid. Or what he’s trying to do to my kid for being in the wrong place.”
“Same here,” said Morgan. “I take it you heard all of the story?”
“Yup. I talked to the principal and then to some of the other counselors and teachers as well to make sure I got the whole thing. I saw what Nathaniel did to Marten, wasn’t nice.” Ashley unconsciously brought her hand up to her own face. The thick bruise had set in under her left eye. Ken didn’t miss the motion.
“Then again…what Marten did isn’t exactly what I’d call being a gentleman.”
“Not at all,” said Alex. “Marten’s lucky Nathaniel was there and not myself.” Murmurs of agreement came from all the other tables too. Ken just kept nodding.
“Well the principal wanted me to find you and have you arrested. Considering the circumstances, I’m going to chalk this one up to a bad day for everyone.” Ken gave a small smile. “Now Mr. Jameson, I’m going to give you a warning. Doing something like that is very bad.” The officer raised his finger and wagged it at Alex like he was a child. Ashley started to smile too as she realized the officer was on their side.
“I promise officer. I won’t do that again,” said her dad in a childish voice. “Cross my heart and hope to die.” There were a few small laughs from the other diners.
“Good. You people enjoy your lunch and have a good day.” Everyone said their goodbyes to the officer. A few of the patrons even talked to him casually and called him by his first name. When Ashley looked back she saw her dad leaning close.
“Sometimes knowing everyone in the little town isn’t a bad thing.”
Her smile grew as her dad leaned back for his food. Morgan gave a hearty laugh and started to eat as well. Nathaniel squeezed her hand and gave her a look that said they knew what they were doing. They’d be fine.