Statues

Chapter 1

Azalea

Oh, God, we really screwed things up this time. Even though I couldn't hear exactly what he was saying -or screaming- at Coen, I already kind of knew what he was saying. I stood outside the principal's office with my ear against the wall, trying my hardest to listen in on their conversation.
"You really shouldn't eavesdrop," Grayson warned me. I only made a "shh" gesture in response.
"You violated school conduct, Coen Harston, and for this you will be punished, along with your friends," principal Mallen explained. He said it in a tone that sounded like he was reading a Bible verse, but I've been in there enough to know better; he was trying his hardest to keep his voice under control. Coen must've said something back, however, because there was a loud BANG that sounded like someone literally flipping a table. Only Coen Harston could piss someone off that much. For about five minutes, it was completely silent, as far as I could tell. Eventually, I gave up trying to hear and sat back down beside Grayson. What we were trying to do this morning was quite harmless, actually, no matter how mad Mr. Mallen got.
See, today is April 1st. You guessed it, an April Fools prank gone wrong. All we wanted to do was get into school a little bit earlier than all the other students so we could cover Mr. Mallen's desk with sticky notes. Also, our Math teacher's car was here, so the door was unlocked. I mean, if there was someone already here, why not just walk in? All the better with it being our Math teacher, because he rarely comes out of his classroom. Except for today.
So, long story short, we were busted. Now we face possible suspension and detention for a month for violating school property, even though we didn't do anything, and "breaking in," even though the door was unlocked. I imagine it must be the hardest on Grayson. He's the sensitive one, and his parents are very strict. If we get suspended, he'll be banished to his room for the whole summer. And I'm not exaggerating.
The door burst open, and Coen stalked out, already looking like a prisoner, with Mr. Mallen behind him. "You stay here," he pointed to Coen. Then he went back into his office for about another five minutes. I guessed he was cleaning up his office after the whole desk flipping thing.
"I'm guessing you made this so much better," Grayson said to Coen. He also gets really sarcastic when he's nervous. "Why can't you just be a good little boy and not fight back for once?"
"It's in my blood," Coen responded. Normally, Grayson and I would question him about these types of comments, but now was not the time or place.
Mr. Mallen then returned from his cleaning duties and called me in. I stood up, glancing at my two best friends as I slowly walked in.
"Principal Mallen, please don't suspend Grayson," I started. "Coen's parents won't take this to extreme measures like Grayson's will. And my foster parents barely notice me when I am there, anyway. So you can suspend Coen and I. Please, just--"
"Azalea. I'm not going to suspend you or your friends. However, you will have detention at lunch hour every day for a month, along with cleaning the courtyard every day after school for the rest of the school year," Mr. Mallen explained. "But I don't believe suspension will help you in this case."
I was in shock. I thought for sure that we were getting suspended. Even though we didn't do anything but walk into the school, Mr. Mallen wasn't one to bother with details. "Thanks," I replied in a small voice. I'm normally loud and outrageous, but I've long since learned not to talk back to teachers.
"You can go now, and send Grayson in," Mr. Mallen ordered.
"Yes sir," I replied. "But do me a favour and go easy on him."