ENDLESS

S4 Chapter 12

''Care to explain yourselves?'' Riley asked, glaring down at her kids. The three of them were sitting silently in the principal's office, waiting anxiously for her arrival.

''Mom, this kid was going to hurt Lila and Isaac. I had to do something.'' April spoke up quickly, hoping that she would believe her.

''So you made him eat spilled oatmeal?'' Riley questioned rhetorically, raising her eyebrow.

''I mean, yeah? He was trying to burn them, mom!''

She sighed. ''I'll speak to the principal about this. You three aren't in trouble with me and your dad. But we don't know yet how they're going to discipline you guys.'' Riley peeked out of the doorway, scanning around for who she desired to talk to. She turned her head back to look at them. ''Go sit in the car and wait for me, okay?''

''Okay mommy.'' Isaac replied quietly, sounding ashamed. As they headed out, Riley handed the car keys to April for her to open the car.

''Daddy is going to be mad. This is the fourth time this has happened.'' Lila mentioned, rubbing her arm. She looked down below at her feet after getting inside the vehicle.

''Yeah, but he's not mad at you guys. He's mad at the dumb asses-''

''Please, don't curse.'' Lila interrupted her sister. She didn't like swearing, especially since her parents were against using that type of language.

''Sorry..'' April apologized awkwardly.

''I'm sorry that you had to stop it again, April. I should've been the one to. I'm a boy, I'm supposed to be stronger.'' Isaac's voice was filled with embarrassment and sorrow. He couldn't believe how useless he was in these situations.

''Being a boy doesn't mean that, Isaac. You just didn't want to start something.'' Lila reassured. She never once thought that of her brother. He was always there to protect her and so was her sister.

April noticed their mother walking out of the building and over to the car. Riley smiled a bit upon seeing her daughter's big blue eyes watching her as she opened the door, getting inside the car slowly. ''April, keys.''

She reached forward, handing them to her mother. Riley inserted the key into the ignition, taking a deep breath. ''You guys aren't in trouble. I managed to talk her out of it. But we do need to talk about this. Why does this keep happening?''

''I don't know mommy. People are always picking on us..'' Isaac trailed off sadly.

Riley glanced at him sympathetically before turning her head to look ahead. She stepped on the gas pedal, starting to drive out of the parking lot. ''We're talking about this with your dad tonight.''

. . .

It was now lunch time. Scarlett and Carter had received permission from their teacher to wander off to the library to go sign up for the spring magic tournament.

Carter was still debating if he should, but Scarlett was going to participate. He just decided to tag along with her. The two seemed to always be together, unintentionally or not.

He followed behind her into the media center, watching as she found her way to the bulletin board. Scarlett picked up the pen that was hanging on the side of the wall, using it to write down her name on the list.