Page 79 of Unbidden

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine,” I tell him.

“You two, in my office now!” Principal Harris demands.

I push Ingram farther into the locker before letting go. I take a step back and sweep my arm out in front of me. “After you,” I mock her with a bow.

Ingram shrieks and tries to latch on to Reed when walking towards the office.

“No,” he tells her while stepping out of her reach.

Ingram huffs in response.

I rub my face in exhaustion and start following her only to have Reed step out in front of me. He tips my chin up to inspect my face. “You okay, Sage?”

“I’ve been better,” I mutter.

“Come on. I bet Principal Harris has already managed to call at least your aunt by now,” he tells me while tucking me into his side.

Keaton, Victoria, and Tinsley all fall into step beside us.

“Well, one thing’s for sure. I won’t be pissing Sage off anytime soon,” Keaton announces, trying to break the tension and making us all laugh.

“No kidding, right? Who knew my girl had so much power behind a punch?” V teases.

“I took note of those around when she came up to us and at what time. That way they can roll the security tapes back and can examine for themselves that Sage wasn’t the aggressor,” Tinsley tells Reed.

“Good job, Tin Tin.”

“You all know it’s going to be me who gets blamed. It won’t matter that she assaulted me first. I’m not one of you.” I shrug.

“That's bullshit. You're a Covington. Your name is just as good as any of ours,” V vehemently proclaims as we reach the office.

“One thing’s for sure, you're not going in there without us. One for all and all for one and all that jazz. Agreed?” Tinsley asks Reed and Keaton.

“Agreed,” they murmur in unison.

∞∞∞

Since V, Tins, Keaton, and Reed all refused to leave, Principal Harris set us up in a conference room. Aunt Alice and Richard arrive first.

Alice gasps when she sees my face and reaches back to grab Richard’s arm.

“What the hell happened to your face?” Richard demands.

“It’s okay, Daddy. You should see the other girl.” V snickers from her seat, earning an elbow to the ribs.

“Ow,” she whines while rubbing her side, causing all of us to snicker.

“Seriously though. What the hell, Sage?” Richard asks right when Principal Harris walks in with Ingram and a gentleman behind him.

He looks genuinely confused when he sees Alice and Richard.

“Alice, Richard.” He nods in their direction. When he scans the room, his eyes slide over me but come right back. He goes ghostly white.

“Sage?” he murmurs.

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” I question as his eyes swing to Alice and Richard, seeming to have a silent conversation.

He looks at me. “I’m this one’s grandfather.” He points to Ingram, who’s openly glaring at me.

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