The Black Sheep

Detention

"Do you wanna explain to me what just happened out there?" The principal asks Zion and I. I look down at my hands and remain quiet.

"She's not gonna talk," Zion points out.

"Why not?"

"Because she doesn't talk to people she doesn't know."

"I'm the Principal. Of course she knows me."

"She's shy. She needs to really know you. And after today? Yeah, the school might not here another word from her." I've never needed Zion more than I needed him now. Thank you.

"Alright then you tell me what happened."

"Aight so-" I put my hand over Zion's and nod my head. He sighs and sits back in the chair.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. A tear slips from my eye. "I should've just shut up and let it die down."

"Seriously? You did the right thing. You think letting Tyler continue to harass both you and I was gonna be a good idea?" Zion looks over at me in disbelief.

"It would've stopped you from having to protect me and ruin your chances at college by getting in trouble." Zion rubs his eyes in fustration.

"Please explain to me what happened," Principal Night repeats.

"Tyler and I met at a party that Zion threw at our house. Zion told him to stay away from me because he has a reputation. And I was okay with that because I don't like people. And I didn't wanna be around him any longer than I had to. But we talked for an hour and I thought that would be the end of it. Zion warned him twice. And Chez accidentally dug his nails too deep into Tyler so I cleaned him up and we talked while I did it. And I guess Tyler started to like me. My feelings however, never changed. I didn't like him. About three days later, he asked my friends and I to the movies with him and his friends. I didn't wanna go, but my friends and brother," I glance over at Zion, "made saying no not an option so we went. It was okay I guess. And so again, I thought that would be it. But it wasn't. Zion told me that Tyler has been constantly harassing him about questions about me. And Zion warned him to stop and stay away from me, but he never listened. And so today, I thought that I needed to set things straight with him. And he got so mad and scary and was yelling and telling everyone how I was a slut and lead him on and Zion and his friends came to help because they knew I wasn't gonna defend myself. And Zion told everyone the truth and eventually punched him so maybe he'll finally get the message and leave me alone." I look over at Zion. "I'm so sorry, I should've never tried to talk to him or be nice to him. You were right about him," tears form, but I wipe them away immediately.

"You didnt do anything. Trust me, I know exactly how you act around people you barely know. I can tell he was overwhelming you every time he was around you, even if you didn't know it at the moment," I look back down at my hands in my lap.

"Your story lines up exactly with Chez, Bravon, and Dace. And so, I'm not gonna expel or suspend any of you. However, you Zion, will have detention for 2 week."

"Fine," he shrugs.

"Let me go with him at least. This is partly my fault too," I say.

"You didn't do-"

"I don't care."

"Fine."

"Zaya!" Zion looks over at me in disappointment.

"We stick together," he smiles a little before facing the Principal.

"You both can leave now. And detention starts today after school for an hour and a half."