Chapter 11 - Jayden ReturnsJayden’s first day back was terrible.
A sixth grader whispered:
“That’s the kid who slapped a teacher.”
A boy in gym gave him a thumbs-up.
“Legend.”
Jayden stopped.
“No.”
The boy frowned.
“What?”
“Don’t call me that.”
“You slapped Harper.”
“I lost control.”
The boy laughed.
“Same thing.”
“No.”
Jayden walked away.
At lunch, Mia sat beside him.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He looked at her.
She shrugged.
“If you thought all of this was awesome, I’d worry.”
Jayden smiled.
Then Principal Kline called him to the office.
Officer Grant was waiting.
Jayden’s shoulders tightened.
Grant noticed.
“I’m not here to discipline you.”
“Okay.”
“I wanted to tell you myself.”
Mrs. Harper’s administrative leave had been extended pending formal investigation.
The district would also amend Jayden’s disciplinary record.
His suspension remained.
He did slap a teacher.
But the record would include documented provocation and substantiated concerns about Mrs. Harper’s conduct.
Jayden looked at Grant.
“Fair?”
Grant asked.
Jayden thought.
“Yes.”
Then Grant gave him something else.
A copy of the hallway audio transcript.
Parents.
Fish sellers.
Smell like fish.
Printed words.
Proof.
Jayden stared.
“Keep it.”
“Why?”
May you like
“Because people sometimes need proof they remembered correctly.”
Jayden understood that more than he wanted to.
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