by Bailey Hull
“Oh my god this is tragic!” Megan exclaims. “Did you have any idea? I mean your own brother…Oh your father will be so disappointed in his new son…”
She trails off clucking like a hen. She is so pleased with herself and her little trap she set for Brandon it makes me want to vomit. I have to get out of here. I’m just about to make an excuse for getting out of here when a security guard comes up to me.
“Jordan, your brother would like to speak with you before the police take him to the station.”
“Sure, I’ll talk to him.”
“Jordy honey, would you like me to come with? You know, for moral support?”
“Thanks Meg sweetie, but I’ll be fine. I’ll see you in class later.”
She gives me a fake hug and we part ways. I just about vomited on her back when she was hugging me. How does she not realize I’m faking my reactions and feelings here? As I follow the guard to the security office I take a deep breath and steel myself for seeing Brandon. The guard unlocks the office and lets me in, and then he steps out to give us some privacy.
“You got three minutes, Ms. Chouinard.”
“Thanks Eric.”
Soon as the door shuts Brandon flies into my arms.
“I’m finished!” He seethes. “They’ll take away my fights and I’ll lose my sponsor. I might not ever be able to fight in a UCC fight ever.”
“Okay hold on Brandon. You got busted with a tiny bit of pot. The only reason they didn’t just give you a ticket and been on their way is because it’s the school grounds so they take it more serious. I’m sure the UCC and StrikeForce will look at this like everyone else; so fucking what, it’s pot.”
“I don’t know…I’m pretty sure there’s a clause in my contract about drugs, especially since I’m still in high school. They’re not going to want to sponsor a possible high school drop out who’s on drugs.”
“But you have good grades right?”
“Yeah but they’re going to wonder how long that will last when I’m on drugs. I’m finished Jordy, finished!”
“Look I’ll call Dad and we’ll strai-”
“Oh no, you can’t call your dad, just like I can’t call my mom. I’m eighteen so they can’t tell them where I am or what happened without my permission. If there’s a bail will you loan me the money?”
“Of course I will but there won’t be bail. Well, not unless there’s an extra penalty for bringing drugs to school.”
“Well with my luck I’m sure there is.”
Just then the security guard sticks his head in the door. “Times up. Brandon they’re ready to take you to the station.”
I give Brandon a hug and wish him luck as he leaves. What a mess this is. Feeling lower than snail shit I return to class. It’s time for third period and I’m sure Melissa is going to be full of questions. I’m just not sure which ones I’ll be able to answer truthfully.
Chapter Sixteen
The Storm Begins
On my way back from seeing Brandon off I look around the halls. Eastside kids are striding down the halls boldly like they’ve got nothing to fear; and basically they don’t. On the other hand kids west of the river are scurrying around in groups of three or four for safety. Fortunately school officials are leaving the extra guards brought in for the locker search. If it wasn’t for their presence I’m pretty sure a riot would be taking place right now.
As usual I come a little early so don’t have to choose to sit next to Melissa to talk to her. She’s a social outcast and it wouldn’t do for the number three person in the Eastside Pride club to be sitting next to Melissa by choice. She understands it was to be this way for now. She also understands that we’re pretty good friends. It’s refreshing to be able to be so honest…well mostly honest. For example I can’t tell her I stood by while Brandon got busted. That she would not understand.
“So how’s your brother?” She whispers.
“He’s holding up.” I reply.
“Good. Tell him that there are some of us who believe his innocence.”
“I will.”
“Can I ask you something?”
Oh oh…I know what’s coming. “Sure.”
“Did you know about this locker check? And if you did, why didn’t you warn Brandon?”
“I didn’t know a thing about it, sorry.”
“But Megan did.”
“What?” I better be careful what I say next. “What makes you think she knew anything about it?”
“Oh come one Jordan, don’t tell me you didn’t see that smug look she wore plastered on her face all morning.”
“She did seem happy… but anything that is bad for Brandon or anyone from west of the river makes her happy these days.”
“So you really don’t think she had drugs planted in his locker?” Melissa asks, studying my face closely for a reaction.
“No I don’t. Believe me I would have known. Besides, she’s not into drugs and I seriously doubt she is chummy or even knows anyone that is into drugs except maybe E (ecstasy).”
The kids at Lincoln who are considered the party type are only into E and they pretty much keep it to raves and away from the campus.
“Oh come on, she knows Mark the artist. He’s really into 420 (marijuana). He could have scored some and slipped in into her locker. I heard they just found a few joints. You can easily slip a joint in through those little vents at the top of the door. He could have easily done it and no one would have been the wiser.”
“I’m sorry Mel, but something this major with the club doesn’t go down without the number three person knowing about it.”
“Yeah well maybe she didn’t tell you because it happened to your brother and she was afraid you might disagree or make a move to protect him like any sane person would have done whatever the consequences.”
“I’ve known Megan since we were in second grade. She doesn’t withhold stuff from me.”
“Oh you mean she wouldn’t keep secrets from her best friend just like you wouldn’t keep secrets from your best friend?”
“Hey, you know where my loyalties lie. I am no more Eastside Pride than you are Mel. You know my history with Brandon and that I would never do anything to hurt him.”
She looks around the classroom then focusses on me again. “If Mark wasn’t involved, then why isn’t he in class this morning?” She asks suddenly.
“Are you kidding? He got busted of course and that just proves my innocence right there. No way would he have set Brandon up and then left drugs in his own locker.”
“He didn’t get busted. My locker is five down from his and I watched them search his because I was sure he was getting busted. He was clean so there must be another reason he was here a half hour ago and is gone now.”
Okay now I’m worried. What would cause him to ditch class right now with all the guards around and teachers on high alert? No way can anyone get off campus today without being seen and stopped. There has to be an explanation here and I can only think of one but it seems highly unlikely. If he were to turn himself in he would get busted and Brandon would be released. If I see Brandon come walking through that door then I’d be in trouble. Thank god he’s gone.
“Well?” Melissa asks.
“What do you mean well? I have no idea why he’s not here. I’m sure there’s a plausible explanation.”
“Alright Jordy…keep your secrets for now. Something’s going on here though and it’s just a matter of time before we find out.”
I feel terrible for lying to Melissa. Somehow I have to tell her and make her see my point of view. I just need a little time to figure out what to say to her. For the remainder of the class I keep my head down and do my work. When I finally do look up there’s only five minutes left in class. Next period I won’t have to deal with Melissa’s questions. I will have to deal with Megan but that’s easy by comparison. The classroom door opening makes me look up again.
Brandon has just walked into the room and boy is he pissed! He has this dark e
xpression on his handsome face and his eyes are spitting fire. He walks over to the teacher and hands Mr. Baker a note. Without waiting for a response he goes to the only empty desk in the back of the room. I can’t look up. I keep my eyes glued to my text book even when Melissa whispers my name.
“Jordan…hey, Jordan!”
I can feel her eyes on one side of me and I can feel Brandon’s piercing eyes on the other side of my body. His are like branding irons boring into my soul. If his eyes were actually capable of shooting flames I’d be a crispy critter right now.
Melissa tries one more time to get my attention. “Jordan…why’s he back?” She hisses at me.
I know my silence looks bad but I just can’t make myself look up or respond. Quickly I start stuffing my books in my backpack so that when the bell rings I can bolt from the room. When it finally rings I literally jump out of my chair and sprint for the door like a jack rabbit. Behind me I hear Brandon shouting my name. I make a beeline for the closest bathroom. Melissa can follow me there but at least Brandon cannot. Right now it’ll be a hundred times easier dealing with her than Brandon. I burst into the bathroom with the intent of locking myself in a stall when I run head long into Megan!
“You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut could you?” She seethes. “Do you have any idea what’s going to happen when they find out that the plan failed and Brandon doesn’t lose his contract? How do you think Ms. Taylor is going to react when her fiancé is carted off to jail for securities fraud and insider trading?”
“But it wasn’t me!” I protest. “I swear I didn’t say a word.”
As if things couldn’t get any worse Melissa walks into the bathroom with Mary on her heels. One look at Mary and it’s clear why she’s here. My brain is going a hundred miles an hour here and I still can’t think of anything to say except to just protest my innocence. Suddenly I have no friends. Megan thinks I betrayed her. Brandon knows I betrayed him, and Melissa isn’t going to understand even though she’s the only one here who actually knows what’s going on.
“You know what?” Megan says. “I don’t have anything to say to you, but clearly these two do.” She says pointing to Melissa and Mary. “And that one.” She says, pointing at Mary. “I don’t think she’s going to do much talking.”
Then she just walks by me. Melissa and Mary step aside allowing her to pass and leave the bathroom. I don’t even try to leave. Mary cracks her knuckles and takes a step towards me.
“And to think, I was really beginning to like you Jordan.” Mary says.
THE END