On Our Own

Chapter 37

"You two come with me now, this is grounds for suspension."

Jess looked angry, I guess catching your ex-foster daughter with her boyfriend skipping class twice in one day would do that to you. Ethan was in no shape to go to class and I was not letting anyone hurt him.

"Jess, listen to me. I know I am not the best student and I ditch class all the time, but I need you to trust that we have a really good reason. If you know me at all you would know I would not lie about something like this," I said very clearly, my voice even and calm.

Jess looked between me and my boyfriend. Ethan's eyes were puffy and my hands were still keeping his hands from curling back into fists. She looked between us once more and nodded curtly.

"My office as soon as you can."

I looked back at Ethan who was looking at his hands.

"They make me so angry, but the last thing I want to do is let out my anger the way they do."

"You are better than them Ethan."

I let go of his hands and instead of letting his hands curl into fists again he let his palms run over the grass.

"You do not have to go back to them, you can stay with me or Kyle," I said.

"I'm still seventeen, and I won't get my trust until I'm eighteen."

Do you really need it?" I asked. "I thought you were going to get a job?"

He looked at me for a long time. "I need it until I can get a job."

My heart ached when I heard that. "So you'll let yourself get hurt for money?"

Ethan looked away from me. "Don't make it sound like that."

That's what it was. After some time Ethan's eyes were no longer puffy and he calmed down.

"Shall we go face our punishment?"

When we got to the Administration building, I felt Ethan tense up.

"What is it?" I asked.

He pointed to the Ferrari in the parking lot. "My parents are here."

"They can't do anything, okay? I won't leave you alone," I said trying to calm him down but his face was stricken with fear.

When we opened the door to the office, three families were waiting: Kevin Mali and his parents, Claire and her parents, and Ethan's parents. Ethan and I joined Claire and Kevin in the seats and the parents crowded around us.

Jess studied my face. I could tell she was looking for some sort of explanation, but once again my face was void of any emotion. "Well, to recap for everyone, Kevin and Claire are claiming that Ethan physically harmed them and somehow Leah is involved in all of this."

"She started the whole thing!" Claire proclaimed.

"And how exactly did she do that?" Jess asked.

"Because she stole my boyfriend!" Claire shouted.

Ethan looked furious now. "Claire we haven't dated since last year so just shut up, and leave Leah alone already. If anything Claire should be punished for bullying Leah and essentially causing Leah's spiral before winter break that ended with her in the hospital," Ethan said angrily crossing his arms.

Claire sat back in her seat in shock. Her mouth opened like a fish. She looked over at me and tried to make eye contact but I just sunk into my chair, my face red once again.

"Look this is silly," Claire's mom said. "My angel would not act like this and has done nothing wrong."

"You know what? I think you are partly right," Jess said. "Why don't you three wait outside,"