Finding Yourself

Chapter 16: Letting It Go

(I just couldn't help myself with the chapter title and the song correlation) 

The chairs in front of the school's office were uncomfortable, and so was the atmosphere surrounding the small waiting room. 

Dakota was seated across the room from Devin, and they eyed each other- Dakota was just assessing the damage he had done. He had gotten in a few hits, including the bruise forming on Devin's jaw. He knew he managed to hit him in the stomach a few times. He couldn't really remember all the punches since they blurred together within the adrenaline and anger.

Devin had got Dakota much worse, and Dakota expected the outcome to favor Devin; that was why he held himself back from fighting Devin in the first place. Devin was taller, bigger and- after the fight they had- he expected Devin knew how to fight back on some kind of professional level.

There was a reason no one messed with Devin Carver.

Dakota felt his bruises form. His body ached. His nose was still bleeding from where Devin clocked him in the face. His head was pounding, and it didn't help that there was screaming going on behind the door they sat outside of.

Nick was called, and- without even addressing Dakota- he walked straight into the office wanting to know why his son was beaten to a pulp. Devin's parents- or he assumed they were- also arrived, and Nick was currently giving a mouthful to both them and the principal.

"Mr. Moore, please-" Dakota thought he heard someone say from behind the door. Nick never liked the principal of the school, so it wasn't surprising when Nick snapped back.

"No, you need to listen to me," Nick growled, using a tone Dakota only heard with one other person his whole life, " I don't care whether or not my kid started it. He must have done it for a reason. I know my Dakota- he's anything but irrational. Well, I mean, we can all be irrational sometimes- but he is usually relaxed unless something upsets him."

"Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Moore," the principal replied stiffly, "But even with a reason, an act of violence is uncalled for in this establishment. However, if you can get a reason out of him, by all means, tell me. We will investigate the cause and continue from there."

"Thank you," Nick said stiffly back- obviously holding back his displeasure for the principal.

Then other voices- softer and somewhat kinder voices- spoke, but they were muffled behind the door. Dakota assumed it was Devin's defense; he wondered how such soft voices could care for such an idiotic wasteful sperm of a human being.

Soon after, however, Nick walked out, and finally addressed Dakota. He helped him get up out of the chair since his belly was bruised. They silently walked to Nick's car, and Nick didn't really speak until they were out of the parking lot.

"So," he started, a lot calmer than he sounded behind the closed door, " Why'd you do it?"

"It's not my secret to tell," Dakota replied, looking down at his hands. He felt proud of himself until he saw his bruised knuckles, and he hoped Nick wouldn't be disappointed in him.

"Who's is it?" Nick questioned, "You could at least tell me that."

"Avil's," Dakota confessed. Nick would probably question Avil, but he never pushed. So, Dakota figured it was okay to let him know that.

Dakota listened to Nick drum his fingers against the steering wheel. Other than that, it was silent in the car. Nick must be thinking about something.

"You're suspended," Nick announced, "For starting the fight. So is he, for participating in it. So, you have a week off at school to think about what you've done. Was it worth it?"