CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: LEO

"So what's it going to be Ma, because I know you don't want to make this issue bigger than it already is" Athena said as she held on to Shane's hand while Austin stood beside him and I was being while we watched her waiting for her reply

"Okay then let's go to my office, since Shane is so keen on having you here,'' The principal said, as she took us into the school and guided us to her office. When we got there, Austin, Athena and Shane took a seat on the only couch while Mr Sanders and I took a seat on the twin chairs in front of the principal's table.

Zack thought it was a good idea to sit beside Shane and the guys but Austin didn't even give him a chance to get close because the look he gave Zack made him back away from Shane looking scared before he took the seat behind his father.

"So Mr Smith before you arrived Zack was telling us what really happened that day, he said Shane was the one who started the fight and he and his friends were just protecting himself" the principal explained and I swear I've never wanted to hit someone so bad as I wanted to hit this woman sitting in front of me, I would never hit a woman but she was treading on dangerous waters right now.

"You gotta be shitting me, Seriously that is what you're going to go with self defence" I heard Austin say behind me irritation evident in his tone

"So wait you're meaning to tell me that Zack and his friends were protecting themselves when they gave my brother multiple bruises and a mild concussion ma" I said every word slowly holding back my anger, this woman has a screw loose upstairs if she was expecting me to believe that even if I didn't see that video.

"Yes Mr Smith, I believe that was what I said" the principal said in an annoyed tone,

"Ma i mean no disrespect but what you just said is complete bullshit, because I'm young doesn't mean I'm so stupid to believe that lie, how can a boy Shane's size threaten four boys bigger than him?" I said and I could see the irritation in her eyes grow because I didn't believe her crappy lie.

"Mr Smith, Zack would never lie to his father, and Mr Sanders was the one that relayed this confession, so Shane must be the one lying" the principal said in a matter of fact tone.

"So wait because Shane doesn't have a parent here to tell you that he wasn't the one so you assumed he is the one not telling the truth" Athena said behind him and I didn't even know when she walked up to us because I was so preoccupied with controlling my emotions

"You are twisting my words young lady please take your seat, this matter doesn't concern you" the principal said glaring at Athena.

"Like hell it doesn't, you see that boy sitting on that couch, whatever concerns him, concerns the three of us" Austin said in a shaky voice like he was trying to hold himself back and i don't blame him one bit because they were making it really hard to stay civil, but the fact my friends were protecting Shane made me so fucking happy.

"Mr Smith control your friends, or else" the principal said,

"Or else what Ma, that sounds like a threat, Austin don't you think Mrs Principal here just threatened us" I said as I turned to face not missing the glare she threw my way.

"Yeah she just did, how scandalous, Mrs Principal you just threatened teenagers that doesn't look too promising from an educator such as yourself" Austin gasped with an evil grin on his face and I caught Shane trying to hold back his laughter

The brat's father finally spoke up after being silent since the meeting started, "my Son would never lie to me so listen boy, I would like you to stop tarnishing our name and spreading false rumours" Mr Sanders said in an annoyed tone like he had the right to be annoyed, i caught Zack from the corner of my eyes watching us with a smirk on his face, does he think he was actually going to get away with hurting Shane?

Then I looked over at Shane his smile was gone, he had this defeated look on his face and that made me even madder than I already was

"Hey little man, raise your head, we aren't done yet, this isn't going to be like last time, now we have evidence, this little sucker isn't going to get away hurting you" I said as I turned to look at the principal who had a confused and scared expression on her face

"What evidence?" she asked, I looked at Austin who had a smile on his face while Athena looked confused but she did her best to hide it. I didn't plan on keeping her in the dark but it was better only Austin and I knew about the video.

"I have a video of Zack and his friends beating up my brother Shane and it's going to the police, your son might go away for- how many years was it again Austin" I said with a wide grin,

"3-4 years Leo my dear friend give or take" Austin said in a sing-song voice, then I heard Shane and Athena giggle at his antics.

Mr Sanders' calm expression from before was gone and was replaced with an irritated one. "Where is this supposed video?" Mr Sanders asked, Zack who was all smiles before now had a scared expression on his face, yeah you little brat wipe that smile off your face. "That's for us to know and you to find out Mr Sanders" I answered

"How did you get the video? It was on school grounds so you guys committed a crime by stealing that video, Shane will be expelled and you will be sent to jail" the principal explained and I actually felt sorry for her, she picked the wrong side and was going to go down with them

"Oh we knew you were going to say that, Shane, where did this brat and his friends hurt you?" I asked Shane,

"On the playing ground, why do you ask?" Shane answered and saw the fear in the Principal's eyes which made me really fucking satisfied to see her scared.

"Shane I asked because the playing ground isn't on school property, so no crime was committed and the video can be used as evidence if we ever want to go to court" I explained and a smile formed on Shane's face, yes he should be smile because this fuckers are going to pay.

"How much do you want to make this all go away, name your price and it's yours" Mr Sander said and I wanted to straight up punch him in the face for suggesting such a solution, I don't need his ficking money.

"How predictable of you Mr Sanders, you really think money will make everything go away but not in this situation Mr Sanders, your little criminal will have to take responsibility for his actions" Athena said, glaring at the man.

"Shut up girl, grow ups are talking" Mr Sanders said to Athena causing Austin and I to face him ready to defend her

"I wouldn't talk to her like that Mr Sanders, we have your son by the neck and he will pay but not now" I said,

"What do you mean?" Mr Sanders asked.

"The video is going to be used as leverage, if your son, his friends or anyone else associated with you ever lays a finger on Shane or he tells anyone to hurt him in any way we will send the video to the police and not the ones here, because we know you own them" I said.

"That's blackmail, how do you expect me to control what this moron does, he is just as stupid as his mother, how do I even know the video is real? You may be bluffing" Mr Sanders said,

I kinda felt bad for the kid, he had a shitty father but that doesn't justify him assaulting Shane because it isn't his fault is father his a dick.

"Not my business and do I look like a person that bluffs Mr Sanders? You don't want to cross me, I will do anything to protect my family, so do we have a deal Sir" I said my voice calm and collected as I stared at a very agitated Mr Sanders.

"Mr Smith, that's not the way things work around here, you have to hand over the video so we can do a formal investigation," the principal said, getting a glare from me and Mr Sanders. "I may be young ma but I'm not stupid, so stop trying to manipulate me, you either take my deal or little Zack over there is going to juvie"

"How do I know you will keep your word boy?" Mr Sanders asked anger evident in his tone

"When Shane graduates you will get the video, so Zack will never come in contact with him, if you want things to go smoothly, Mr Sanders, so make sure your son keeps his end of the bargain," I said as I watched Mr Sanders turn to face his son.

"Do you hear what he just said Idiot?" Mr Sanders said his voice slightly raised as he glared at his son who looked beyond scared

"Yes Sir" Zack answered

I then brought out the document from my bag and placed it on the table, "This document contains all our do's and don't on this agreement, we need the two of you to sign it for future purposes, you can go through it if you like, I really don't care, what I need is for you to sign it" I explained and they both grabbed the documents in an instant.

They both went through it and it took like a few minutes before they both picked up their pens and signed the document, "thank you for your cooperation, it was lovely doing business with the two of you", I said as I placed the document back into my bag

"Excuse me Ma, when can Shane resume school?" Austin asked, a huge grin on his face, he was seriously enjoying this. I was glad I followed his instructions and kept the video a secret.

"He can resume tomorrow if he is all better," she said looking quite embarrassed. Which was the best emotion she should be feeling right now because she made a total fool of herself and should be fired because she is a disgrace to other Principals around the world.

"Thank you Ma, you will see him tomorrow, have a nice day,'' I said before the four of us walked out of her office and headed for the truck.

When we got to the car Shane engulfed all of us in a hug before he pulled away and signed.

"You were all so awesome, the look on their faces was so priceless"

Austin gave him a high five laughing at his comment, and Athena went on her knees in front of him and said "I told you we will do anything to keep you safe",

Shane hugged her while she placed a kiss on his cheek causing him to blush and her to laugh.

"This calls for a celebration, let's go to Rudy's and stuff our faces with junk food" Austin commented with a huge grin on his face, "last one to the car is a rotten egg"

Then, Athena, Shane and Austin started running towards the cars laughing and making jokes and I knew these guys were already my family and nothing in this world was going to change that.