Jaylen Evans

Suspended

When I had woken up with a knot in his stomach. I really didn't want to go to school. School isn't for kids like me. Everyday is a reminder that I'm different and I'm not good enough. The morning was okay. I managed to stay in lesson without getting sent out which for me was a massive deal. I still struggled but I tried. I really tried. It was now lunch and I had to see Miss Kenny. I walked into her classroom
Miss Kenny: we having a good day?
Jaylen: mhm
I showed her my report
Miss Kenny: I'm proud of you keep it up
Jaylen: thank you
Miss Kenny: is this a new and improved Jaylen?
Jaylen: I'm trying
Miss Kenny: good. Right go and enjoy your lunch and I'll catch up with you after school
Jaylen: okay thanks miss

I went to the cafeteria and sat in the backseat corner. Jesus sat down with me
Jaylen: you don't have to sit with me you know?
Jesus: I know. You made any friends yet?
Jaylen: not yet. No one wants to be friends with the bad kid with the problems
Jesus: you'll make friends. It took me a while when I started. I was too hyper for everyone else
I was just picking at my sandwich
Jesus: you not hungry?
Jaylen: nah not really
??: Hey Evans
I looked up and it was Ryan Carter. He was in my Math class. He's like the bully of 7th grade
Ryan: Heard you threw a chair yesterday
My hands curled into fists under the table
Ryan: what are you? Some kind of psycho? A freak? Always exploding
Jesus: oi that's enough
I forced myself to breathe. I've had a good day. I'm not letting Ryan ruin it
Jesus: just ignore him okay
Ryan: You some kinda sped or something? Can't read? Can't sit still? What they put you in a baby class?
Jesus: walk away. Jaylen calm
Ryan: or what?
Jesus pinned him up against the wall
Ryan: where are your real parents huh?

There was no thinking, no stopping, no breathing just rage flooding his veins. I was on my feet before i even realized it. My fist connected with Ryan's jaw knocking him to the floor Ryan lunged. We crashed into the table, trays flying, kids shouting. I barely registered the pain as Ryan's fist clipped my cheekbone. Jesus was tryna break it up. But we just carried on.
??: Jaylen that's enough
It was Mr Peters
The cafeteria was dead silent now. Everyone was watching. I panted. My body still thrumming with leftover adrenaline. Ryan wiped blood from his lip looking more shocked than hurt.
Jaylen: He started it!
Mr Peters: come on let's go and calm down
Principal Sanchez walked in
Sanchez: Jaylen with me now!
Jaylen: no you can fuck off
Sanchez: Jaylen
My heart pounded as i followed her out of the lunchroom, feeling the stares burning into my back. This was it. I really fucked it up.

We went into the office and Lena was already sat down. I sat in the chair and I was still shaking with anger
Lena: What happened?
I stayed silent. Why would they believe anything I say?
Sanchez: Jaylen was involved in a fight with Ryan Carter. Jaylen threw the first punch
Lena: Why?
Sanchez: Ryan was provoking him
Lena: Provoking him how?
Sanchez: Ryan made comments about Jaylen's learning differences. And about his family
Jaylen: I'm not sorry. I'm not
Sanchez: Jaylen, we understand you were upset but physical violence isn't acceptable
Jaylen: Yeah? And what about Ryan? You gonna suspend him too?
She didn't answer
I let out a bitter laugh.
Jaylen: Right. Of course not 'cause I'm the problem child right? Everything's always my fault
Lena: So let me get this straight. A kid harasses Jaylen, pushes him, insults his family, and he's the only one being punished?
Sanchez: We're speaking with Ryan and his parents
Lena: That's not good enough
I clenched my fists again. I knew it didn't matter.
It never did.
Sanchez: Lena your a teacher you understand
Lena: in this moment of time I'm not here as a teacher or deputy, im here as a parent
Sanchez: We can't have fights in this school. Jaylen will have in-school suspension for three days. I'm also sending you home for the rest of the day
Jaylen: what the fuck?! That's not fair!
Lena: Jaylen
I got up and walked out slamming the door behind me

Lena PoV
Lena: what the hell karina? What about bullying prevention?
Karina We'll... look into it.
Lena: Yeah, I bet you will
Karina: look my hands are tied
Lena: I don't care who his parents are. You don't get to treat them differently. The fight wasn't one sided so if you don't suspend Ryan, I will.
Karina: no you won't cause my decision is final

I walked out of the office and called Stef
Stef: hey what's up?
Lena: Jaylen got sent home for the rest of the day
Stef: what happened?
Lena: some kid was making fun of his learning problems and home life so he obviously snapped. He's got in school suspension for the rest of the week
Stef: gimme like half an hour
Lena: okay
Call ended

I went looking for Jaylen. I checked everywhere but Adam's office. I knocked on the door and walked in
Lena: I've been looking for you
Jaylen: well done you found me
I just stood there
Jaylen: sorry
Lena: it's okay
Adam: he came to talk to me and managed to calm down
Lena: Stefs gonna come to pick you up
Jaylen: did I get you into trouble?
Lena: no principal Sanchez just didn't like what I had to say
Jaylen: I'm sorry
Lena: for what?
Jaylen: causing problems. I bet you didn't have this before I moved here
Lena: actually I did with Jesus.
Jaylen: not as much tho?
Lena: no but it's nothing we can't handle
Jaylen: if you wanna talk to Bill I understand
Lena: you're not going anywhere okay
We were just talking when Stef walked in
Stef: come on then trouble

Jaylen pov
Lena: we'll talk at home okay
Jaylen: no thanks
I walked out and Stef followed after me. We got in the car and Mike was there
Mike: rough day?
Jaylen: mhm
Stef: I gotta go back to work but you can stay in the breakroom okay. I've got an iPad, Lego and some snacks in there
Jaylen: thanks
We got to the district and I went straight to the breakroom. Hours went passed and Stefs shift finally finished
Stef: you ready to go home?
Jaylen: yep
We went home and Lena was doing dinner. It was lasagna and garlic bread. We ate then I just went up to my room without saying anything to everyone

Lena pov
Jaylen just went straight upstairs. I can tell the events of today was bothering him
Jesus: is he okay?
Lena: he will be
Jesus: I told Sanchez what happened. I've got detention tomorrow for holding him against the wall
He gave me his phone
Lena: what's this for?
Jesus: you normally take my phone
Lena: not this time. You did nothing wrong
I gave him back the phone and went upstairs. I knocked on the door. I walked in and he was sat against the headboard knees drawn up to his chest
I sat beside him on the edge of the bed. We just sat in silence for a couple minutes
Lena: You didn't start it
Jaylen: doesn't matter
Lena: Yes, it does
Jaylen: I still hit him
Lena: yeah you did
Jaylen: You mad?
Lena: I'm mad that you had to
Jaylen: I don't belong here.
Lena: Yes, you do
Jaylen: he kid like me from Southside Chicago doesn't belong in a place like this
Lena: you may be from the southside but this is your home now