Alaya

Chapter 4

    After school, Alaya and I met at the office doors. I led her to the detention room and then had to leave. The detention teacher told me that Alaya would spend about two and a half hours in the room after school every day for a week. I also found out today that Ralph had gone home early  because he was suspended for two weeks.

    When I got on the bus, I noticed two changes. It was quieter and the bus driver had switched everyone’s seats around. I found my name above seat number five. Also, above the seat, I saw Alaya’s name. I was glad that the bus driver let us sit together.

    I got off of the bus and started walking down my driveway. I was practicing what I was going to explain to my mother for when she notices that Alaya wasn’t with me. I was scared. I walked up to my door and hesitated to open it. I could run. I could run to the lake and sit there for two hours until Alaya comes home. I thought in my head. I couldn’t, though. If I ran to the lake for two hours, my mom would know something was up. Also, any plan I choose would backfire anyways. Eventually the school would call my mom and tell her to pick Alaya up from detention. We were doomed.

    I walked in the house and took off my shoes by the door. Then, I hung my jacket on the coat rack and put my bookbag on the kitchen table. My mom must’ve heard me because right after I put my bookbag down, she called me into the living room.

    I went into the living room to find my mother standing with her arms crossed while tapping her foot. I could tell she was mad. I sat down on the chair that was across from her.

    “Hi, Mom.” I started nervously.

    “I come home with a phone call telling me that Alaya was put into detention. Explain.”

    “Mom, before I start, I want you to know that it wasn’t her fault.”

    “Kayla Rae I suggest you tell me right now. Explain.”

    I gulped. I told her everything that happened on the bus that morning. I also told her everything that happened in the principal’s office.

    “Is Ralph punished? How long is Alaya punished?”

    “Ralph is suspended for two weeks I believe. Mostly because it wasn’t his first time bullying someone. Alaya is going to be in detention for a week.”

    “Ok. I’m calling your father. I want him to know about this. Alaya isn’t in trouble yet with me, but I just want to call your father so he knows. You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?”

    “I was only a witness and I tried to make Alaya feel better.”

    “Okay, I understand, but you have got to let her know sometimes that those actions are not to be tolerated. Trust me, I will be having a conversation with her, though.”

    My mom walked into her bedroom and shut the door to call my dad. He was at work. When he gets calls during work from my mom, he doesn’t get too excited about it because he is busy. Though when it is a “someone is in trouble” call, that is when he really gets upset. So, now I have to beware of my dad coming home.