I don't know

20

Lucia loved teaching. But she didn't have the patience to deal with secondary and primary students, so she taught university students. The University of Bristol wasn't the most famous, but it was a decent Uni.

She was grading papers in her lunch break as she watched a show on Netflix at the same time, all while eating her lunch.

Then her phone rang. She fished it put of her bag, chucking many things out in that process.

'Hello?'

'Mrs Lucia James? I'm calling from The Grove Secondary School. Your son Austin has gotten into a fight. If either you or someone else on Austin's emergency contacts list could come pick him up, We'll explain more there.'

'Oh. Thank you. My son Anthony will be there in a bit.' Lucia said as she hung up. She was quite shocked to say the most. It was normally Archie that would get phone calls home. Not Austin.

She decided not to jump to conclusions and texted Anthony to go pick Austin up. Her son replied in seconds and told her he would go and pick him up and take him to the house.

Lucia sighed as she laid back on her chair. If only Tom were here. He would've had everything under control. Lucia felt tears trying to fall, but she wiped them before they reached her cheeks. She was failing them.

~~~

'Austin Lewis James.' Anthony growled as he entered the office of Austin's head of year. Austin's head whipped around and his eyes widened in fear. He had never seen his brother so scary.

'Anthony?' Mr. Jackson asked.

'Edward?' Anthony said as the two shook hands.

'I'm Austin's form tutor.' Edward replied. 'I'm required to attend this.'

Anthony nodded,' He's my brother.'

Then Mrs. Thrower cleared her throat, 'Mr James. Please take a seat.'

'What happened exactly, ma'am?' Anthony asked as he took a seat next to Austin. Austin searched Anthony's eyes but Anthony continued staring right at his head of year.

'Well, we have talked to both boys and some of our students who were there. Apparently, the boy Austin got into a fight with said a rude thing about Lucille Drury. That ended with Austin punching the boy in the face. That led to a full-blown fight. The boy has been suspended as he has received several warnings before.' Mrs Thrower said, her hands folded and on her lap.

'So, he was standing up for his friend?' Anthony asked, eyebrows raised.

'Yes he was. That's why they have decided not to suspend him,' Edward chimed in. 'It's Austin's first offense.'

'As I was saying, Austin will be in internal suspension for the next 2 weeks. He'll go to mentor and then one of our staff will pick him up and take him to isolation and he will do all his learning there.' Mrs Thrower said, shushing Mr. Jackson quickly. Edward looked as though he was about to protest but kept his mouth shut.

'Yes ma'am. I'm assuming he'll come home with me now?' Anthony said, as he got up. Austin instantly stood up, not wanting to go back into isolation until tomorrow.

'Yes. Austin I hope you come back in tomorrow with a fresh mind.' Mrs Thrower said as Austin nodded.

'Yes miss.' Austin said, head bowed as he followed his brother out.

Anthony didn't say a word to Austin until they were in the car.

'Really Austin?' Anthony asked as Austin got into the passenger's seat. 'You really had to get into a fight?'

'I'm sorry.' He muttered as he stared out of the window. 'I wasn't thinking, it was stupid.'

Anthony just nodded as he drove back home. Austin didn't want for Anthony as he got out of the car and went into the house. Anthony sighed and put his head against the steering wheel.

Why was he dealing with teenagers at 28? And in a few years he would be dealing with 3 of them at the SAME time.

He sighed before going into the house. He found Austin taking off his school shoes and jumper.

'Once you've done that, go stick your nose in a corner of the living room.' Anthony said, not knowing how to punish a 13-year-old.

Austin looked at Anthony, eyebrows furrowed but he listened to his brother and walked over to a corner of the hall and stood in front of it, his head leaning on the wall.

That wasn't so hard, was it?

After a good 30 minutes, Lucia rushed through the door. She saw Anthony and he gestured that Austin was in the living room.

'Austin Lewis James.' Lucia hissed, very similar to how Anthony did it an hour ago.

Austin turned his head around slightly, and Lucia saw the tears streaking down his face. Ever since he was a child he hated people being mad at him. He was a people pleaser.

She held him by his shoulders and spun him around so he would face her. He sniffled as Lucia stared into his eyes, loving but stern.

'Austin, what happened? I don't care what the teachers say happened or what your friends said. What happened, according to you?' She asked as Anthony stood by the doorframe.

'Charlie was being mean to Luce, Mama. I tried to stand up for her but he shoved me away telling me I wasn't her boyfriend. I got mad as he made Lucy cry. I punched him across the face and he hit me back. The rest of it was self defense.' Austin said. Anthony let out a snort to the last sentence but instantly sobered when he realised he wasn't meant to be laughing.

'Do you think you should be punished?' Lucia asked as Austin thought about it for a second before nodding his head.

'It was stupid. I should've just ignored it.'

'No it was not. You stood up for your friend, and there is nothing wrong with that Aussie. What was wrong was punching him. You should've told someone or walked away. Or even better tell him to get a better hairline before sticking his nose into Lucille's business.' Lucia said, trying to make Austin smile a bit. He stared at her before he cracked a smile. 'There's my boy.'

Austin then leaned into Lucia's chest and she stroked his jaw slowly.

Anthony then realised, his mum had it under control. He wasn't needed.

'Mum? I need to pick up Cam and Sierra.' He said as he left the house.

'So, how we going to punish you? Maybe I should ban you from reading?' Lucia joked as Austin's eyes widened. He realised his mother was joking and let out a sigh of relief.

'But you're going to write me lines. And you're grounded for the whole time you're in isolation.' Lucia said causing Austin to wrinkle his nose.

Archie burst through the door before Lucia finished.

'You beat up Charlie Brett? Man, I've never been more proud to call you my brother!' Archie cried as Austin let out a grin. Lucia put her hands on her hips and stared at Archie.

Archie realised his mistake and said, 'Ok, I realised mom hasn't finished lecturing you.' When he was greeted by another glare he nodded his head once, 'I'll be upstairs, we can party once she's done.'