Short Story 4

Getting Settled

"Mr. and Mrs. Menlo please report to the office, the principle is waiting of you," roared the school loudspeaker. The couple made their way to the door.

"I have to skip the meeting for this. This school is always overreacting for every single thing. Last time one kid threw a tantrum and the whole school had to stop what they're doing and 'settle' the problem," Mr. Menlo complained.
"This is serious Derrick. Danny has never got into trouble since kindergarten. He had no right to throw the paint brush at his teacher."
"Well the teacher shouldn't complain about his art," joked Mr. Menlo.
"Be serious! I don't want my Danny to cause any more problems. The lady on the phone said it was very serious, saying it was involving physical actions."
"Physical actions? Did Danny bump into a kid by accident?"

Before Mrs. Menlo could answered she saw the Marie family come through the door. Gabriela was wiping her tears as the parents walked towards the Menlo's.
"Don't worry about what she says. What your son did was brave. Gabriela will give her thanks to him later," said Christina as they made their way to the exit.

The Menlo's walked through the doors and they found Danny sitting beside two adult chairs. The principles office was very modern. A ship in a bottle was hung on one side while the other wall was filled with plaques of petitions and awards. Sitting in front of them was Principle Mamlor and next to her was Danny's fourth grade teacher, Ms. Soell. "Please, have a seat Mr. and Mrs. Menlo. We have a lot to discuss about Daniel's behavior," commanded the principle.

"What seems to be the situation," asked Mr. Menlo.
"Well Daniel is a very good student. I have no doubt that he'll succeed in the future. Very bright boy. A pleasure to have," said the principle. "But Ms. Soell has brought to my attention that an incident had occurred no more than three hours ago."

"A very disgusting incident," interrupted Ms. Soell. "During recess I watched over the kids to see how they were doing. But what caught my eye was Daniel and Brandon, another student of mine, screaming their heads off on one side of the court. I was about to go settle the problem when Daniel, out of nowhere, punched Brandon on the nose," she yelled.
"What! My Daniel can never go to such resorts. Unless he was being pressured. Why did he punched this Brandon," asked Mrs. Menlo.
"Nothing happened before. Daniel made the first strike. Violence will not be accepted in this school nor bullying as well," Ms. Soell said.

Principle Mamlor entered the conversation. "Now, I know there must be reasoning for all of this to happen." She looked at Danny. Danny caught her stare. "Daniel, why did you punch Brandon on the nose?"
"He was calling Gabriela ugly and stupid just because she failed that science test. Gabriela told him to stop but he just kept going. I was with her but he didn't stop. I told him to stop but he didn't. Then he called me a girl for protecting one. I didn't want to punch him. But Gabriela started to cry and Brandon called her baby. So I punched him on the nose."

"Ms. Soell did you see Gabriela crying," asked Mamlor.
"I only focused on the two boys fighting. I didn't realize Gabriela was there until I pulled Daniel towards the school. I had the nurses go care for Brandon and his nose. After that I didn't see where she went."
"Well Ms. Gabriela went to the main office and reported the situation right after recess. She seemed very worried for Daniel."

The Menlo's looked at their son to see if he was telling the truth. He was looking straight into the principles eyes. That was his sign of telling the truth when people think he's lying. If he was lying he would of been laughing.

"Well there's your reason. Danny was standing up to a bully and protecting his friend. Principle Mamlor we've known this family for years and we all have gotten very attached to them," argued Mr. Menlo.
"Mr. Menlo I'm glad Daniel stood up for his friend and we got Brandon's family coming later," said Mamlor. "I'm hearing the same story from Gabriela and I believe them. But may I remind you that this didn't have to resort to violence. Daniel could of told a teacher about the problem, not punch someone on the nose. I hate to do this but he must be suspended for the rest of the week, although Brandon will have more days. Daniel must clear his head and be told that violence is not the answer. Hopefully things will get better next week."
"I'll make sure to talk to him. But do you think he should be suspended for the whole week?"
"Those are the rules."

The Menlo's said their goodbyes and left the office. They left the school and made their way home. As sun was setting, it left a colorful hue of orange and purple mixing and dancing in the sky. On the way home Daniel's head was down and gloomy. "Danny we're not mad at you," said Mrs. Menlo.
"Really," questioned Danny.
"Yea. What you did was the right thing to do. Well, punching someone on the nose isn't one of them. But you stood up to that bully. When we get home I will surely make a phone call to Brandon's parents and tell them how I feel about this. Kids, they shouldn't be calling each other names or hurting each others feelings."

"I'm proud of you son. I hope you gave Brandon one good punch," added Mr. Menlo. Mrs. Menlo elbowed him to stop talking. When they reached their front yard the Marie's were waiting for them. "Well what do we have here," said Mr. Menlo.

"We just wanted to stop by to say thank you to Danny. Their aren't really much kids who can be brave as your son. Brandon has caused many problems with children in the past, including Gabriela. Isn't their something you want to say Gabby," asked Mark, Christina's husband.

Gabby emerged behind her mother and walked towards Danny. "Thanks Danny, for sticking up for me. He was really being mean to me. I'm glad that you were there," said Gabby as she hugged Danny right away. Danny responded with a tighter hug. Both families stared in aww's.

*4 months later*

"Okay kids this is the last day of fourth grade and the bell is about to ring. I hope you all have a fun and safe summer. Don't get into any trouble or do anything dumb. And whatever happens, violence is not the answer. And make sure you do all of your summer homework," yelled Ms. Soell. The bell finally rang and the kids began their summer. Danny and Gabriela grabbed their bookbags and headed out. The looked as they saw a storm of kids swarming the streets and candy shops. The two kids made their way home.
"What do you think happened to Brandon," Gabby asked.
"I don't know. I heard he was getting left back. He never does his work and once he ripped his math homework in front of Ms. Soell. And she went crazy!"
"When was this?"
"Remember we had a big math test that you were absent for. He never finished it. So he just ripped him in front of her. The kid's crazy!"
"Well I'm happy he's gone. He won't bother us anymore."

The thought that Gabby said "us" gave Danny a smile. "What are you going to do this summer," Danny asked.
"I'm going to go visit my family in Minnesota for the first month. Then in august I don't know. I might just stay home and watch T.V. What are you going to do?"
"There's this new pool that opened up a little far away from here. I heard in the commercials it's very big and has all these cool floats and toys. And there's this deep end I want to go into. But I think it's for adults."
"Who are you going with?"
"Maybe with my friends or family. I don't know yet."
"Oh. Okay that's cool."
They finally reached Danny's house and they talked for a little while. Mrs. Menlo was about to call him but he didn't want to interrupt them. She was looking at the window to see if Danny was almost home. They talked for another five minutes about school and work until Gabby said she had to get home before it gets late. Before she left, she gave Danny one last hug before she goes home.
"Thanks again Danny, for standing up for me," said Gabby as she squeezed him tighter.
"Yep. No problem," Danny chuckled.
They both said goodbye and Danny made his way towards the door, where Mrs. Menlo greeted him. "Can you guys just get married already so I can settle down," she joked.
"Mom I don't like her. She's my friend. And I've already told her who I like in school."
"Yes I know the blonde girl in your class. Was it Brianna? Barbara?"
"It's Bailey mom," Danny sighed.
"I know sweetheart."