Daddy's Precious Little Girl

A new threat?

As I wait for Mr. Delas to arrive, I keep an eye on Ashlynn. She sits in the corner, her small form almost disappearing into herself. It's like she's trying to make herself invisible, her eyes darting around, searching for something or someone familiar. The sight tugs at something deep inside me. I can't stand the injustice of it—seeing her punished without even being given a proper chance to explain herself.

Ms. Crawley stands her ground, her posture stiff, as though she's guarding something rather than simply following protocol. She keeps repeating the rules, but there's a coldness in her insistence, a kind of rigidity that seems unnecessary. It feels personal, almost as if she's more invested in maintaining her control over the situation than in finding out the truth. I start to wonder if this is about more than just enforcing rules.

I shift, wanting nothing more than to go to Ashlynn, to comfort her and tell her everything's going to be okay. I know she's scared, and I hate that she feels this way because someone didn't bother to listen. But for now, I have to wait. Mr. Delas will be here soon, and then we'll sort this out.

The door swings open, and Mr. Delas strides in, his presence bringing a mix of relief and anticipation. He scans the room quickly, his gaze landing on Ashlynn, then on me, and finally, Ms. Crawley.

"Ethan, what's the situation here?" Mr. Delas asks as he approaches, his tone serious but calm.

I take a breath, keeping my voice steady despite the frustration brewing inside me. "Ashlynn was put in timeout for allegedly pushing another Little and lying about it. I've been trying to get the full story, but there's resistance due to protocol. I don't think she was even given a fair chance to explain what happened."

Mr. Delas listens carefully, his face unreadable, but I can tell he's already processing the situation. He turns to Ms. Crawley with a firm but diplomatic tone, "Can we please bring both Littles and their respective caregivers here? I think it's best to resolve this with everyone present and avoid any more miscommunication."

Ms. Crawley hesitates but doesn't object. She knows better than to argue with Mr. Delas. She leaves the room to gather the others involved.

Turning back to me, Mr. Delas says, "Good job keeping cool, Ethan. Let's see what we can do to sort this out fairly."

As we wait, I move closer to Ashlynn, squatting down to her level. "Hey, little one, Mr. Delas is here now, and we're going to figure everything out, okay? Can you tell me what happened from your side?"

Ashlynn looks up, her wide eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear. "I just wanted to paint, Ethan. The other girl took my paper, and then she screamed when I tried to take it back. I didn't push her, I promise."

I nod, believing her instantly. "I believe you, Ashlynn. We're going to make sure everyone understands what happened, alright?"

Mr. Delas kneels beside us, his voice gentle but firm. "We're here to help you, Ashlynn. You're safe. We'll make sure the truth comes out. No one is going to be mad at you for telling your side."

Ashlynn nods slowly, still anxious but reassured by both of us being there.

As Ms. Crawley returns with the involved parties, the tension in the room escalates. The little girl, Marcy, clings to her caregiver, Franklin—a Hawk shifter from the prestigious Falkner Kettle. His posture exudes arrogance, his eyes scanning the room with a dismissive air. I know Franklin; he always walks around like he's better than everyone else because of his family's status. It's clear he believes his Little's story is beyond question.

Mr. Delas, ever composed, begins the discussion with authority. "Let's hear both sides clearly. Ethan, please share Ashlynn's perspective."

I recount Ashlynn's version, explaining how she was coloring when Marcy took her paper, and the situation escalated from there. As I speak, I can feel Ashlynn trembling slightly beside me, her tiny fingers gripping my hand for support.