Twenty-Five | Lyric
Twenty-Five
Lyric
“We have a zero tolerance policy,” Principal Newman said as she leaned back and folded her hands on her desk. “Ben has been suspended for three days as a consequence of attacking another student.”
“Attacking?” Cole said, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?”
“He broke another student’s nose.”
“Yes, after that other student made comments about Ben’s sister. I’m sorry, but I would knock someone out if they were making bets with other kids about getting someone to have sex with them.”
My heart slammed against my chest as I listened, knowing now why Ben hadn’t talked to me about what happened and went straight to Cole. I shifted in my seat and watched as a pink tint flushed Principal Newman’s cheeks.
“Well, I had not heard what the fight was about,” she said, clearing her throat. “However, our school prides itself on our zero tolerance policy and keeping students safe—”
“Safe from being raped?” I asked, my words as harsh as my tone as I leaned forward and rested my arm on her desk.
Her eyes immediately zeroed in on the movement, her posture tensing as she sensed the power I was exerting from my side. Just to drive home the point, I scooted closer and rested both of my hands on the desk, mimicking her. Checkmate.
“Because I’m pretty sure that a student making bets with his friends that he can have sex with a girl who isn’t interested in him would be leading to rape.
From what I’ve heard, the school has had several issues with this student before, as well as the town in general.
This isn’t the first fight Tommy has been involved in, it’s just the first one he didn’t start himself,” I continued.
“I’m sorry, but I’m unable to discuss personal details of our students,” she said quickly, shifting again as she pulled back and lowered her hands to her lap.
“Well, I’m sorry, but that’s a bunch of bullshit,” I bit back.
“Ben is an excellent student, and you would know that if you remembered him. How do I know you didn't know that? Because you had to look at the report on your desk to remember his name. He’s not someone you know well because he’s never had a reason to be in your office until now.
I’m sure most people in town know him because of the immense loss he’s suffered over the years, and I’m willing to bet that if you were talking about him outside of a school setting, you would have known exactly who he is. ”
I glanced at Cole in my periphery, ignoring the way he was looking at me because I didn’t have time to process the love and adoration etched on his face as he watched me.
“Ben is a good kid. He does what’s right, even if that means putting another kid in his place when he makes a threat against his sister. Was Tommy also suspended for the fight?”
“No. There was no evidence that there was a fight between them, only that Ben had physically assaulted Tommy, which resulted in a broken nose. Ben has been disciplined based on his actions.”
“Oh. I see,” I said, nodding my head. “Well, what happens when someone comes to you and reports a threat made by one student to another?”
“Rest assured, we take all threats seriously.”
She puffed her chest up as if this answer should appease me.
“Really? That’s wonderful news. What is the proper protocol for when a threat regarding a student is received?”
“Well, we do everything we can to eliminate that threat, and disciplinary action is taken against...” Her words trailed off as she realized where I was going with this.
I grinned as I got up and sat on the edge of her desk, taking up even more space. I lowered my shoulders and pinned her with a look, enjoying how she withered beneath it.
“I would like to file a complaint regarding a threat made by Tommy—” I paused and looked at Cole, not remembering the kid’s last name.
“Tempson,” Cole supplied with a wide grin.
“Right, Tommy Tempson. We have heard that he’s threatened our niece, Kara, and we fear for her safety.
There has been a bet made between him and his friends, which I believe is considered underage gambling if I’m right?
Should I reach out to the school board about the code of conduct, since I’m pretty sure it goes against school rules as well?
Anyway, aside from the underage gambling, we’re concerned that he might attempt to sexually and physically assault Kara based on the bet he made with his friends.
I think now would be a good time to tell us what disciplinary action will be taken against Tommy. ”
Principal Newman opened her mouth to speak, then immediately snapped it shut as she glared at me.