The Future as a Rivers (Fifth Book)

Chapter Forty-four

Isabella

I sighed putting down my phone and grabbed my purse out of my desk.

"Where you going, love?" Mitchell asked coming in and kissing my cheek.

"I just got a call from the principal. Your daughter got into a fight. Again." I frowned.

"You want me to go?" He offered.

"No I got it. Cover for me, will ya?" I asked pressing my lips to his quickly.

"I will." He assured.

I walked outside quickly and got into my car and turned it on.

I know I used to fight rather frequently but Layla was seven years old for crying out loud.

I gripped the steering wheel and sighed while picking up the pace to her school.

Finally I pulled into a parking lot in front of the school. I stepped out and as I did, Emily- London's mom stepped out of her car.

Our eyes met and we chuckled while shaking our heads.

"Of course Layla is involved." She said.

"Two peas in a pod." I agreed while walking into the school. We turned into the office and saw Layla and London sitting on a bench quietly. They looked up and Layla's lip was a tad swollen and a bag of melted ice was next to her.

"Layla what happened?" I asked bending down and lifting up her chin. London watched and Layla shrugged.

"Layla. I'm going to find out one way or another." I said and before she could speak the principal called us.

"Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Neils." He said and Emily and I both stood up. I straightened my shoulders and sighed.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Step into my office please." He said gesturing to his office. All four of us walked in and Layla sat beside me, not meeting my eyes.

"What did they do?" Emily asked.

"Layla and London beat up a group of three boys. One went home with a headache and luckily the others only had minor scrapes and cuts." He said.

"A group of three boys? Why?" Emily asked. The principal looked to London and Layla.

"The boys were making fun of Stacey-Lynn." Layla answered.

"Who is Stacey-Lynn?" I asked.

"She is one of the quiet girls. She does not speak, she is what you would call mute." He said and I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked angrily.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Rivers?" He asked.

"You are getting mad at the girls for defending a girl who was being bullied. I thought this school had a strict bullying policy? How come the girls are only in trouble?" I demanded.

"Mrs. Rivers, three boys were injured-"

"As was my daughter, look at her swollen lip." I said and an annoyed look crossed his face.

"She is right. I understand the violence is not good but you should be promoting these kids to stand up to bullies." Emily added.

"Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Neils, we are discussing your children. This is a recurring incident for London and Layla. Countless times the two of them are in my office due to fighting or just inappropriate behavior."

"What? Because they are girls they have to be dainty?" Emily snapped.

"No because the fighting needs to end. For the next two days the two will be in the office all day." He said.

"Keeping two seven year olds indoors instead of outside? Physical activity is a requirement." I said sarcastically.

"Mrs. Rivers I understand from your school record that you may be upset. But this is how a school is kept in line." He said.

"Fine. Lay go get your things. I'm signing you out." I said standing up.