Broken Silence

Chapter 14: That's not nice.

"Well, Miss Stone, I don't know what to say," Vice-Principal Emerson said as she rested her arms crossed on her desk, "You've been an excellent student since we've had you. Excellent grades, excellent assistance, your participation in class could be stronger, and no altercations... until now. Miss Stone, you seem like a nice, young lady; why would you attack your sister?"

I stayed quiet and kept looking at my hands. My scalp hurt where she had pulled. My jaw hurt where she had scratched deep enough to pull blood. My knuckles hurt. My left hand was still shaking from the pain. Hopefully the pain reliever the nurse gave me would kick in soon, but I wasn't feeling any better. I slowly flexed my fingers... in a way, the pain was comforting. I had never been one for cutting myself; never found it appealing to inflict pain where there was already pain. Just seemed unnecessary.

I had to admit the pulsing in my knuckles was welcome. Helped me not feel numb.

"-elle, you will look at me when I am speaking." VP Emerson's authoritative voice stated. I followed her instructions. "Now, you've given me no choice; I can't tolerate this kind of behavior. I have to call your parents."

I had begun to shake my head at her, when the door suddenly opened.

'Why am I not surprised?' I had just finished thinking when a pair of hands delicately engulfed mine.

"Noelle, are you okay?" Mr. Edward asked, kneeling beside me. "I just heard what happened. Oh look at these. It must hurt so much. Did you really fight with your sister? Ice, it might need—"

"Gabriel Edwards," VP Emerson said in a strangely calm voice, "Would you be kind enough to leave this office, right now? I'm still testy with you and you don't want to try my patience."

"Yes, Ma'am. S-sorry. I wasn't thinking." With one last look at me, he hurriedly walked out.

The Vice-Principal cradled her head in her hands and let out a long sigh. "You hurt your sister pretty bad... The bruises will heal soon, the one on the nose will probably take more time, and the split lip is going to be bothersome to put it lightly. Since I can't speak to her right now, and you won't tell me your side of the story, my hands are tied. Your bag is outside with the secretary, I'll call your parents to pick you up. Since this is your first infraction, expulsion is not on the table, but detention is."

She bit her lower lip in thought and her eyes settled on the scratch that spread from my lower cheek to my jaw, then said, "Two weeks detention, and an essay with why you did it. No excuses and don't lie. I'll know, Noelle. You're excused."

I got up and, with a small nod, I walked out of the office. Taking my bag from the secretary's desk, I swung it over my shoulders and absent-mindedly ran a hand through my hair; quickly recognizing my mistake when pain shot through my fingers.

'They're going to call those people... I shouldn't have fought her. I should've just walked away. That'll be a nice addition to my permanent record.' I thought while softly touching my bruised knuckle.

I walked out of the area and in a second, Mr. Edwards was pulling me from my thoughts in a quick hug, taking my face in his hands and examining the long scratch. He sucked in some breath.

"I bet that stings." I shook my head. A scratch was nothing when I was looking at the state of this man. "Hey, don't lie to me. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. I've gotten scratched before; nails sting." He let out a small laugh. "We make quite a pair, huh? Detention?"

I nodded.

"Did they call your parents?"

I nodded. Not yet, but they would; and I dreaded every moment thinking about it.