“I was asked as a courtesy of Mr. Silas to advocate and understand what is going on.” I sneer back at him, not backing down.
“Mr. Silas, this is not necessary and technically of no interest to the Lighthouse to be involved. Understanding that you are meant to remediate and even maintain order within your program.” His eyes glare at me. Translation, “You are not needed, go back to your own trouble makers.”
Professionalism. “With all due respect,” Fuck I hate those words, “I’m here only as an advocate. So, in respecting everyone’s time and energy, I think it would be best to just discuss what is going on and move forward.”Be the bigger woman.
A few nods and sounds of agreements, the security guard begins speaking. “We were made aware of a threat within the school. Stating that there is a student that had possession of drugs.”
“Was there a name to this caller? Or concerned citizens?” One of the admins asks.
The guard shakes his head, “Unfortunately there was no name given and before anyone asked, the person hung up and we attempted to reach back out to the person.”
“Therefore, that is what launched an investigation?” Brayden follows up.
“Correct, but no name was given of the suspect. So we wanted to do a search. We know what happened to the other student from the Destin High School,” the guard continues. He means Marcus. The schools knew about Marcus.
My phone in my back pocket starts to buzz, it was Tessa. I click to ignore it. I try to focus back. Then an unknown number calls me. I sent it straight to voicemail. A couple more messages from the staff pop through.
“Have we caught the smuggler?” Spence disgustingly spews out. My fist clenched inside my pants pocket.
The guard again shakes his head. “No sir.”
The woman to my right who stands a couple inches lower than me clears her throat. “Well, we will have to go with this being an empty threat or prank call. We have not found anything therefore, the school doesn’t need to be on high alert.”
There is a deep chuckle, “Denise, I don’t think you are aware of the situation.” Spence tries to interject himself.
“What situation would that be, Dr. Spence?” I challenge him, I walk towards the lockers, leaning back on the lockers, crossing my arms, waiting for whatever idiotic bullshit he defends himself with.
He scoffs, “You would know, it happened to your student.” Brayden turns back knowing that I am ready to charge! My brows bunch up, my adrenaline building up. Brayden’s eyes warn me not to go off the deep end.
“Are you speaking about a local gang or group that has started up recruiting innocent, hard working teenagers. Who, in their own life, has already gone through a vulnerable time in their life?” I begin.
“Do you actually know the whole story?” Spence disses me.
I push off the locker, “Listen here…” I start to drive off the deep end. Brayden stops me, physically holding me back from spending some time in the back of a police car.Where are those cuffs now?
“No wonder why their students are heathens. Hipster can’t even control her temper.” He says under his breath. Heat rises in me and like a volcano I am ready to lunge at an older man. Forget my southern manners of respecting my elders.
He is no elder of mine.
“Dr. Spence, that is enough,” The principal exclaims, “Now, if you are going to continue your appalling behavior and professionalism, I am going to have to ask you to leave.” She is putting her foot down, maybe I have found an ally.
She finishes and smooths out her clothing, regaining the composure of authority. “Now, if we all can continue,” she gestures for me to finish any speech I was about to do. I need to wipe the smug grin off my face.
“Thank you Mrs. Turnshell. Yes, I am aware of a student that every one in the school district is aware is one of our students. But I will remind you that the school did not make us aware or the family aware until days after.” I glare at Spence, making him aware that this has his name written on it. “I will also remind you that it has been a known problem in the past and now it appears that it is starting again. Sometimes things are out of our control.”
“I agree with Charlotte. Some things are out of our control. One thing we can do is not force extra security when nothing is found and not enough information is given. It is going to be cause for more trouble and even questions we cannot answer.” Brayden stands by my side.
There are murmurs amongst the group and the guard slowly nods his head. “We can’t scare the students and teachers. I, myself, am continuing to monitor what is going on and see what we can do. If our community keeps this up, more police involvement will happen.”
“Thank you Ms. Ashers for coming by. I will certainly be in touch with you.” Mrs. Turnshell turns and nods at me, “I apologize for the ruckus,” she turns and walks away. Dr. Spence starts to grumble. It takes everything I have not to scream or take him down. Before I could, Brayden hooks my arm and walks me in the other direction.
I fall into step with him, the lightest steps making the smallest sound. The group separates before the school bell lets out, and I know that I am needed somewhere else.
“You have ten minutes in my office to decompress before your blood pressure rises.” Brayden whirls me into the counseling office, heading straight to the back.
“No, you just don’t want me to ruin my fist from Spence’s face.”
“Is the violence necessary? What is with social workers and violence? Thought you were to be peacemakers?” He plops onto his office couch, I took his office chair.
