Page 26 of Betraying Bexley

“That’s not what your mom said last night while screaming my name.” Eito reared back, ready to end it all.

“Mr. Wantanabe don’t do it,” Mr. Aquino yelled. “It’s not worth it.”

“Took you long enough.” Eito kept his gaze on the boy trembling in front of him.

“Sorry, I was detained.” Mr. Aquino joined him. “Please step outside with Miss Lewis and Miss Iniguez.”

"Sure thing. We were done with this conversation anyway. I think he got the point." Eito shoved his hands into his pockets and strode from the cafeteria. There were several questions he needed answered and he knew he wouldn't get them there. It always seemed like Mateo was held up whenever a situation happened. He didn't believe the teacher did it on purpose, on the contrary, Eito believed one or more of the staff had a hand in it. There was no way a school like Princess Anne didn't have security cameras all over the place. The minute Kenner started harassing Bexley had been the minute one or more of the teachers or support staff should have stepped in and knocked it off.

He pushed through the door and found Bex huddled against Alé and Bronx. She trembled in both of their arms and Eito felt like a dick for the little display. Again, jealousy and rage filled him. “You should have stopped him.” No, that wasn’t what he meant to say to Bexley. He meant to apologize.

“Don’t,” Alé chided. “Not now.”

He tsked. "Why didn't you step in?" Of all of them, Alé had more of a level head. He could have defused the situation a whole hell of a lot easier than Eito could.

“Kind of got stuck in the crowd. The minute Kenner started, the students closed ranks.” Alé stared at him. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

Eito shrugged. “A little.”

“You could have put him down a helluva lot sooner, why didn’t you?” Bronx’s gaze bore into Eito. The disappointment he saw there allowed his shame to bubble up within him.

“I thought the teachers would show up and break it up.” He lifted his hands. “My bad. Next time, I’ll beat the shit out of them.”

“N-Next time?” Bex peered at him. “W-Why?”

Eito rolled his shoulders and started down the hall. “Tell the teach I went to the office. I know it’s where he wants me, anyway.”

He didn’t look back. It’d been the one thing his father taught him. Keep his head up and his eyes forward. The past only held regrets and he, as the next in line—though not anymore—to take over the Wantanabe syndicate, couldn’t acknowledge any doubts he may have. He stepped into the office and waited. The knuckles on his right hand began to sting and he tsked again. Bronx was right, he should have finished it. Probably could have stayed and ate lunch.

“What are yo—”

“Don’t worry, he’s with me.” Mr. Aquino dropped Kenner in the chair across from Eito. “Mr. Wantanabe, come with me.”

Eito sighed and followed after Mateo. He figured the guy would call Noah and Noah would come down and rip his ass a new one. He might deserve it too, but before he could get that far, Mateo closed the door to the empty office and locked it, surprising Eito.

“Are you okay?” Mateo searched Eito’s gaze, for what he didn’t know.

“I’m fine. I have questions.”

“So do I,” Mateo replied.

“What took you so long? Is your typical response time ten minutes? What if it had been Bexley? What if it was Bronx?” He fought to keep his voice level. “Where were the other teachers who should have been paying attention?”

“You’ve noticed too, huh?” Mateo gave a sardonic laugh. “I can never get there in time. It’s one of the things I hate about this school and the money flowing into it.”

“Who holds you up?” Eito crossed his arms. “Is it another teacher?”

“If you’re asking if it is the same teacher all the time, the answer is no. It’s never the same person every time. But yes.”

“Give me the names. I’ll check into them.”

“You’re making it seem like a conspiracy theory is going on at this school.” Mateo scrubbed his forehead.

“Well, even if it isn’t related to our case, at least the school will know which teachers are on the take.” He shrugged.

“Fine,” Mateo agreed. “You might be on to something. Now, tell me what happened.”

Eito started from the beginning. He explained everything that happened before the fight started and how many times he tried to dodge and juke the kid before participating in the fight. It wasn’t Eito’s intention to go as far as he’d gone, but the kid needed to learn a lesson. Kenner needed to realize smaller people weren’t always weaker.

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