Secrets ~ Minizerk

Chapter 17 - The Office

A/N I've only been back at school 1 day and it's already kicking my ass.

Josh's POV:

"Joshua Bradley and Simon Minter to the office please, Joshua Bradley and Simon Minter to the office"

I was sat in Maths next to Ethan who looked at me when the intercom went off.

"Is that about yesterday?" He asked
"Most likely considering Simon got called as well" I replied

I got out of my seat and the teacher nodded at me signalling that it was ok for me to go.
I walked to the first place I ever went here - the reception - it was right next to the office. I knocked the door and went in.

Simon and his mom were both siting in chairs opposite the headteacher. There was a two seater sofa I assume for me and my parent so I sat closest to Simon.

"And here he is, Joshua" He was cut off by Simon
"It's just Josh" I smiled at him
"Ok then Josh, we called your parental contact number and no one answered will they both be in work?" He questioned

I looked down at my phone as I slid it out of my pocket. I had two missed called from who I presume to be the school. Simon noticed and took my closest hand in his.
The head teacher also noticed and noticed the missed calls on my phone.

"Joshua"
"It's just Josh!" Simon said rather loudly noticing me getting upset. He squeezed my hand to comfort me.

"Simon! If you continue to talk to me in that tone I will give you a weeks worth of detentions"
"Well if you called him by the correct name then I wouldn't have to" Simon replied still in a harsh tone.
"Joshua's official record say Joshua therefore that is what I shall call him"
Simon stood up "Well you don't know anything about Josh therefore you have no right to call him what you want, you should call him what he wants to be called. If you had any idea what that name means to him then there is no way you would be calling it him" Simon said his voice becoming louder and harsher.

"Stop please just stop" I said tears rushing down my face. Simon sat back down and moved his chair closer to me holding my hand once again.

"What do you mean Simon?" The headteacher questioned in a more calm voice now.
"It's not my place to say" Simon replied calmly now. All the time holding my hand and stroking his thumb across the back of it soothingly.

"Anyway Josh why did you put your own number instead of one of your parents." He asked
"I don't have any" I said bursting into more tears than before. Simon now moved into the sofa next to me. He hugged me and we stayed like that for probably a minute before the headteacher interrupted. Simon kept his arm around me still.

What do you mean you don't have any, Josh" He said in a sympathetic tone.

I told him everything. About me telling Damian. About him telling everyone. The abuse the bullying. Being disowned by my family. Why I hated the name Joshua. How I moved as far away as possible on my own. How I bought the flat and I worked on weekends to help pay bills.

He listened to everything. When I had finished I looked over at Simon's mom who was also in tears.

"So this Damian is the new kid" He asked
"He was the one who started everything yesterday" Simon replied
"What did happen yesterday" He asked

I told him what happened about the comments, the running away and Simon following.

He assured Mrs Minter that the issue would be sorted and told her she could leave.

When he finished he used the intercom again.

"Vikram Barn and Damian Stevens to the office please, Vikram Barn and Damian Stevens to the office"

Damian arrived pretty quickly but Vik took a bit longer and we saw why when he walked in.

"Olajide Olatunji you were not called to the office go back to class" The headteacher ordered
"No there is no way I'm letting HIM anywhere near my Vik without me with him" replied JJ.

The headteacher looked down at vik to see a scared look on his face and his hand tightly gripping onto JJ's.

"Fine, now sit down you two." He said. They sat in the remaining two chairs whilst Damian stood up away from us.

"Mr Stevens I have heard about what happened yesterday and you should know that that behaviour will not be tollerated."
He started. Damian just sighed.
"You will have hour long detentions for the next week and are ordered to stay away from Josh and his friends. If I catch you anywhere near them you will be permanentely expelled"

With that we all left and went back to class.