Open Case File [COMPLETED]

Getting In Trouble

The teacher deposited both boys in the principal's office. Principal Warren was a woman in her late fifties with a soft voice and an unyielding will. As both Donovan and Kyle took seats before the desk, Principal Warren thanked the teacher and looked to the two students.

"Which one of you wants to tell me what happened?" she asked.

Kyle crossed his arms and slouched in his chair, clearly not planning to speak. Donovan knew that in most instances neither boy would talk and the principal would be forced to give them equal punishments. But Donovan didn't plan on following that unspoken rule.

"After hearing a rumor that I kissed his ex-girlfriend behind the gym Kyle shoved me into my locker telling me to stay away from her. If he'd asked around at all he would have found out I don't date and barely talk to girls. But since he acted without thought it shows a sense of insecurity. As for the aggression he displayed instead of asking me about it, I have a feeling he also struggles with anger issues."

As Principal Warren stared at Donovan in shock, Kyle turned on Donovan, growling with anger, fist curling.

"Go ahead," Donovan said to Kyle. "Do something violent. It will only prove my point."

Kyle froze, caught between wanting to make Donovan bleed and proving his words correct.

"Donovan, why don't you wait outside while I talk with Kyle here," Principal Warren said.

Donovan left, slumping into a chair in the main office. The bell rang, emptying the hallways of students. Leaning over his knees, Donovan dropped his head into his hands. He struggled with the monster inside him, giddy at having acted out. He hated how good it felt to break from the constraint around him. Years of growing up on a Marine base surrounded by a million opportunities to get into trouble and be wild hadn't prepared him for this dull job.

Even during his homeschooling when Donovan would get antsy, his mother would send him outside to run two miles before coming back. She understood he'd been born a very physical boy who needed to move or he'd get in trouble. Donovan shook his head, he hadn't changed at all.

The office door opened and Donovan glanced up. Link stepped inside, hands buried in his pockets. At least the dullness of this life had meant even if Donovan left Link for a minute nothing was likely to happen. Link slid into the chair beside Donovan, looking at everything but him.

"What happened?" he asked.

Donovan stared at his laced fingers, the lines of his palms.

"Kyle thought I made out with Lauren."

Link snorted, then tried to cover up the sound.

"Sorry, it's just...you never talk to girls, why would he think you'd do anything with one."

Donovan almost smiled. "Because he's insecure."

Link laughed and scuffed his shoe against the floor.

"How'd you get out of class?" Donovan asked.

"Faked a stomachache."

Donovan nodded. As the office door opened again, both boys looked over. Donovan's stomach dropped as Brock strode in, grinning.

"What are you doing here?" Donovan asked, standing.

"You seriously got in a fight?" Brock asked, not at all masking his amusement.

"What are you doing here?"

The grin widened and Donovan felt the urge to start another fight right there in the office.