Reversing Roles

Chapter 7

"Grayson, Grayson, Grayson," repeated Principal Boomer, clicking his tongue and shaking his head, disapprovingly. Grayson sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair in front of Mr. Boomer's desk, nestling his bruised fist in his lap, holding an ice-pack to it, as the principal sat in his luxurious office chair behind his wooden desk, boring his eyes into Grayson's soul. "Never thought I'd see you in here, for something like this," he continued to remark.

"Yeah..." Grayson responded, slowly.

"So, why'd you do it? Why did you feel it was necessary to punch Josh in the nose?"

"Uh, well. He.... was.... I guess..."

"Grayson, don't stall. I hope you realise that you are in serious trouble for starting a fight. It's unacceptable behaviour. We don't tolerate bullying here, at East High," Mr. Boomer stated, folding his arms over his chest and leaning back on his chair, furrowing his brows. Jesus Christ, this guy was full of it. If only he knew that Josh was the real bully here.

"I was standing up for her!" Grayson blurted. Principal Boomer's eyes widened, as Grayson's voice accelerated from quiet to powerful, instantly.

"Standing up for whom?" he asked slowly, one eyebrow raised, expectantly.

"N-no one."

"Grayson, I'm going to need the full story, so I can give out punishments properly and fairly," he warned, sternly, drumming his fingers on the desk. Grayson gulped.

"Ugh, Josh was being a dickhead, so, I-I mean, he was being annoying, so I put him in his place," Grayson explained. The principal tilted his head.

"Grayson, that's not a good enough reason to punch the boy!" He threw his hands up into the air.

"Whatever, I know he deserved it."

"Jesus, why did he deserve it, Grayson?"

"Because he..... well, he-"

"Spit it out, boy."

"He sexually assaulted a girl in the cafeteria, and all I did was put him in his goddamn place! He was being an absolute asshole, so he deserved it! He's had it coming, too. And, by the way, I am not the one that's bullying, in this school. It's him! Josh is the one that pushes people down in the hallways, and calls people names, and lowers everyone's self-esteem! He's the one that walks around as if he owns the place, and he's the one that thinks he can get whatever he wants, and get away with whatever he wants, hence the assault. He blackmails people into getting his way, and you can even ask random students, yourself. So, sir, I personally think that you have the wrong person in here. It's not me who you should be talking to, it's Josh Mason."

Boomer's mouth gaped open, and he sat motionless in his chair. Grayson lifted his chin, slammed the ice-pack onto the principal's desk, then confidentially strode out of the stuffy room. He unclenched his fists, and let out a long breath, one he didn't realise he was holding. That felt good. God, what was he going to do now? The bell for third period had already gone, about twenty minutes ago. That darn History test would already be in action, and freaking Joey would be acing it. Josh was in the nurse's office, getting all cleaned up. Alyssa was, well, Grayson didn't know. He hoped she was okay, though.

He wanted to get out of this hellhole of a school, but didn't know where to go. The halls were hauntingly empty, screaming of terror and dripping with dread. Suddenly, the speakers that were scattered throughout the whole school, chimed, indicating that someone had requested to make an announcement. Principal Boomer's voice echoed around the walls.

"Josh Mason, report to my office, now." His voice sounded muffled, then the speaker cut off. A triumphant smile lit up Grayson's features. Then, the thought occurred to him that, he definitely did not want to run into Josh anytime soon, so he quickly scattered out. The realisation that he actually bashed up the school bully was still sinking into his mind. Slowly, I might add. It was so surreal, though.

He dashed out the large, double-doors of East High, and sprinted down to the looming, metal gates, which taunted every student who walked within them. Without glancing back for a second, he raced down the cement footpath, down the block, then slowed to a walk. Only then did he think about how many detentions he'd earned himself by punching somebody, then skipping classes. Hopefully no suspensions. Or worse, expulsions. Aw, man, I do not need this shit being put on my records. I need a clean slate. I gotta get into a great university. I-I'll just, um, study more, a lot more, to make up for it. Yeah, that'll work. Ugh. A whirlwind of his own impossible thoughts began taking over his mind. Maybe I should go back...? Without even realising, Grayson wheeled back around, facing the school again. Yes, I can make this better again. It'll all be fine.

He then shook his head, vigorously. Wait, what? No, no, no! I can't go back. Not now. He spun back around, again, and kept treading in the opposite direction of the school. He kept walking and walking, all through the town, passed the bakery, passed old Mrs. Wendy Belmont's flower nursery, passed the grocery store, passed a Starbucks, passed the town library and passed the new Italian restaurant that just opened up, until he found himself wandering into a familiar park. Paradise Park.

Ever since he could remember, Grayson had loved visiting Paradise Park. It was the best park in the world. It was large, green and grassy, with a ton of room to run around, and play a cool game of tag with your mates, or a quick game of footy. Tall, swaying trees shaded large areas of the park, protecting you from the boiling sun, in summertime. Flowers of all sorts blossomed and grew at the bottom of the garden, and sometimes the children pretended that fairies lived there. It seemed fitting, though, because magic seemed to radiate off the whole place.

Cobble-stone footpaths winded around the park, the perfect place for learning to ride your bike or skateboard for the first time. Colourful slides, see-saws and the best swing-set ever, were laid out together in one corner of the park. All the fond memories that Grayson had experienced when he was younger, came trickling into his mind. Tears pricked his eyes. He missed his childhood. Everything was easier back then. He recalled his mother having a permanent, glowing smile plastered to her face, always laughing. But, that was all before the accident. Now, it was rare to even hear her giggle.

Grayson cleared his throat, then waddled over to an old wooden bench. He sat down and rested his back against the back of it, taking a deep breath, and letting the familiar, beautiful scent of the numerous flowers surrounding him, fill his nostrils. He closed his eyes and slowly dozed off.