SpiderMan - Camren

~33~

"Hello? Yes, is this Clara Jauregui?" It had been at least 10 minutes after the fight. Lauren sat down with the principal and had a talk about everything, but she knew none of it would help. No matter how much Lauren tried to balance the fight out, she knew they would take it out on her. She told the principal about how everyday Austin would throw a rock at her back. She even told them about how they were fighting over Camila and how he was the one that started the fight. Though, she knew none of it mattered really. Lauren would still be the one at blame. Although it made her very angry about how bias the principal was being, she knew they were right to put most of the blame on her. Austin was almost killed today because of her.

So there she was, sitting in the chair she thought she would never have to sit in, right in front of the principals desk, trying to shake the look on Camila's face out of her memory. She sat with her elbow on the arm rest, head leaning against her hand, back hunched, keeping her gaze on the floor with teary eyes, afraid to lock eyes with her principal. It's not that the principal was an intimidating person, it's just that, right now, she knows the principal is angry at her. She knows the principal is just holding back because this is Lauren's first fight at school.

"Yes, this is Mrs. Portman, principal here at Palmetto High School" Lauren's gaze stayed on the floor as the principal called her Aunt. She knew that this was inevitable, but she felt herself growing increasingly nervous throughout the phone call. She didn't want to see the look on her Aunt's face when she found out what happened. Neither did she want any of this to happen. Why didn't I just fucking walk away...

"I am calling in behalf of your niece, Lauren Jauregui. We are going to need you to come to school. Something occurred and we need you to come here as soon as possible" Lauren's leg was now bouncing up and down, even more tears welling in her eyes. It was now basically impossible for Lauren to ignore the tears, if she blinked once they would all start pouring out like boulders down a mountain.

"Alright, we'll see you when you get here. Bye bye" her principal said before hanging up. As soon as she hung up, Lauren could feel her glaring wholes in her head. Lauren knew she was trying to meet her gaze, but she just stayed in the same position, head still resting on the palm of her hand, gaze still on the floor, wiping away the tears.

"Your Aunt's coming to school and we're going to discuss this sudden outburst of your's" her principal stated bitterly. Lauren just knew that her principal was standing behind the desk, arms crossed, one foot tapping the floor, waiting for Lauren to respond. Lauren knew she should respond, but she decided not to, knowing her voice would just break.

After a couple seconds of silence, her principal waiting for Lauren to respond, she finally gave up as Lauren heard her sigh and sit back down in her chair. Lauren felt extremely awkward, scared, and nervous, all at the same time. Her palms were starting to sweat and she could feel a tear drop forming in her eyes at every passing second.

Then, Lauren heard the door open. Her heart instantly dropped, knowing it was her Aunt Clara. She didn't look up. She stayed in her seat, in the same position, and glued her eyes shut. It was all too much right now. Her heart was now beating a mile a minute and the tears were starting to form in her eyes ten times faster.

"Mrs. Clara Jauregui?" Lauren heard her principal ask, probably already knowing the answer.

"Yes, that's me" as soon as Lauren heard the voice, the tears started rolling down her cheeks. She didn't know exactly what was going to happen, but she was scared. She was scared of what her Aunt would do, but more scared of what she would say.

"Come have a seat" the principal said, gesturing to the seat next to Lauren. As soon as Lauren's Aunt occupied the seat next to her, she opened her eyes. Seeing the worried look on her Aunt's face was making her beyond nervous.

"So, to put this easily, Lauren got in a fight with a student named Austin Mahone earlier this evening. Lauren doesn't have any injury other than her eye there. Without going through much detail, Lauren seemed to damage him more than he damaged her. Austin will be receiving one week of out of school suspension. Whereas Lauren, will be having a two week out of school suspension. All of the information about that is on our website, if you would like to see that. All work assignments will be given to you by mail" as the principal was finishing her statement, Lauren looked over at her Aunt. Her Aunt had her hand on her heart, mouth slightly propped open as she looked at the principal with teary eyes.

"So-um" her Aunt stuttered, clearing her throat before continuing.

"Does the suspension start this week?" her Aunt stated, shock evident in her voice.

"Yes ma'am. When you leave, Lauren will be leaving with you. The suspension does not permanently start until tomorrow, though. You can find most of the information on this sheet here. If you can just sign right here, then you two can make your way on out" her principal said, gesturing towards a spot on the paper.

Lauren took a glance down at the paper and noticed that the suspension lasted from December 6 (tomorrow) to December 20. She furrowed her eyebrows, knowing that December 20 is the day before Winter break.

"Do I have to make up during Winter break or something?" Lauren asked annoyingly, making her Aunt send her a disapproving glare.

"Winter break will remain the same amount of days. However, since it is ending the day before Winter break, all of your work must be turned in on December 20" her principal said, making Lauren roll her eyes, silently hoping nobody noticed.

"Alright, I guess we'll be on our way then" her Aunt said, clearly irritated by the whole situation.

"Alright. You can come back if you have any questions about anything" her principal kindly added, clapping her hands together with finality. All Lauren's Aunt could offer was a smile and a nod.

Lauren made sure to hold the door open for her Aunt, trying to soften the mood, knowing it most likely didn't have any effect. Her Aunt stayed quiet as they walked through the lobby to the front doors. Again, Lauren held the front door open for her Aunt. Obviously still not helping as her Aunt stayed dead silent. At this point, Lauren would honestly rather have her Aunt yelling at her than not talking at all.

"I have to take my car home, Auntie" Lauren said shyly. Her heart was now beating out of her chest, worried about what her Aunt might say next.

Her Aunt turned around, one hand on the car door handle, holding the door open. Lauren looked into her Aunt's eyes and saw nothing, no expression on her Aunt's face at all.

"Okay" her Aunt silently croaked before getting into her car and turning the engine on.

The empty response somehow made Lauren even more upset. She knew that her Aunt was disappointed, but she didn't expect her to be so disappointed that she didn't even want to talk to her. Her Aunt didn't say a single word before driving off.