Danger Signs // Demi Lovato // 4

2. Jane Bond

I didn't go to any other classes that day.

I was sent to the principal to be dealt with because Mr. Barnes didn't want to cause a "scene." He had officially shown his disdain for me, and I'd always suspected he didn't like me—even last year when I saw him in the halls—but I couldn't even make myself care in the slightest.

Demi and Maia were called as soon as I got to the office. I took a seat, dropping my bag next to my feet. This wasn't my first trip here, but this was the first time I was sent because of something I did or said.

"Your mom will be here soon." This was from the secretary, a kind old woman by the name of Mrs. Olsen. She sounded uncomfortable saying "mom" and I wondered if she actually meant "moms."

"Which one?"

She was taken aback. "Oh, um, both. I think."

After that, she ignored me, filing papers and tapping away at her keyboard. She never looked at me once.

Something in me really liked messing with people. As far as I knew, I was the only person at this school who had been adopted by a same-sex couple. The fact of who they were obviously didn't help, but I loved Demi and Maia and had just accepted the fact that people at this school were so close-minded.

I was called in to see the principal, a no-nonsense man that everyone really liked. I did too, but after today, I suspected, that would change.

Mr. Stricker—yeah, that's really his name—silently ordered me to sit in the middle chair. He normally only had one in front of the desk, with the other two against the wall, but now they were all there. Oh, this was going to be fun.

"Demi and Maia aren't here yet," I said. For some reason, people didn't like that I called them by their names.

"I know, I just wanted to bring you in beforehand. I saw some kids staring through the window." What was this I was hearing? Sympathy?

We waited in silence as he shuffled through some papers on his desk until Mrs. Olsen called on the phone—mind you, about five feet away—to inform him that Demi and Maia were here. They came in after a moment, each sitting on either side of me.

"What's the meaning of this?" Demi demanded.

"Rosie, go ahead and tell us what happened."

All three sets of eyes were on me. "I was just minding my business, waiting for biology to start, and Mr. Barnes was laying out the syllabus when Miles came in." At this point, I didn't even use his last name. Everyone knew by now. "He grabbed one of them and crumpled it into a ball and threw it at me. Almost hit me in my eye."

Demi and Maia's own eyes flared with anger.

"So Mr. B. didn't do anything. Just shouted 'hey,' so Miles sat down. Called me a name and I asked him to leave me alone. I wasn't the only person talking, and I wasn't even loud, but I was singled out."

Stricker watched me carefully. "And?"

"And I told him to fuck off," I finished bluntly. I couldn't even read Maia's expression. She looked... proud? 

It was silent for a moment, then Stricker cleared his throat. "Detention for a week?" he asked, like he was asking them if they thought it was appropriate.

"Oh, hell no," Maia nearly shouted. "You will not punish my daughter for being harassed by another student and a teacher."

"Miss Leonard," he began, but she quickly cut him off.

"That's Mrs. Lovato to you."

They were legally married, but were waiting for the right time to have a full wedding. But it was times like these when I realized how badass my moms can be.

"Right... Mrs. Lovato. You don't know how much of an offense this is."

Demi scoffed. "The only offense here is how incompetent you and your staff are. Rosie did nothing wrong and is being bullied for no reason."

"Ms. Lovato," he said, but was cut off again.

"Mrs." I could feel Demi's rage. And Maia's too.

He tried to continue, but Demi wasn't done. "Now, if you really want to give my daughter detention for being hit with a ball of paper and being singled out when others were talking louder than her, you'll be talking to my lawyer. Mr. Stricker, is it? I don't think you understand how quickly I can ruin you and this entire school without a second thought."

He was silent.

"Right, then. Now that that's settled... Rosie will be put in a new biology class and she will no longer be in classes with Miles. If there's anymore problems like this, we will find out, and it'll be your ass."

His eyes went wide. He nodded, chin tucked into his neck like a turtle.

"Have her schedule changed today with the proper adjustments," Demi said, standing. "We're taking Rosie home for the day."

Maia stood, me following as they walked out of his office, past a shocked Mrs. Olsen, and outside to Demi's car.

Neither of them asked any of the questions I was expecting to hear until we got home.

They sat me on the couch and I finally told them the truth about what really went on at school.