It's a truth universilly aknowledged that when your older sister (and only proper carer) has a huge test in college, you don't get into a fist fight. At least, Isabela Bernardez thought it should be so. Clearly though, her baby sister Lucia did not.
As she ran throught her old prep school halls, Isabela's thoughts went from worrying about Lucia to desiring her murder and back. "It shouldn't be so hard not get in trouble for one day. One day! That's not much to ask for", she mumbled. As she got to the principal's officer, her secretary told her:
"They're inside, waiting for you, Isa. Do try to get here faster next time."
"Thanks, Patty! I'm sorry I'm late, but I was in the middle of a test at college." she answered, opening the principal's door.
The officer was a small room with a big back window behind a mahogany desk. On the right of the desk, there was a big bookcase covering the whole wall. It was full of books on how to parent and school teenagers. Sitting on her desk, there was Principal Claire. In front of the desk, there were two empty confortable-looking chairs. By the window, there was a man Isabela didn't recognize. He should be about his mid-twenties, was white, tall, a bit muscular, with dark hair and thundering blue eyes. He wore a well tailored gray suit with a pinstraped tie. All in all, should Isabela have met him in college, she would have thought him hot. As it was, she had eyes only for the three girls sitting by the door on the school chairs.
On the two chairs closest to the door, there were two equally disheveled twelve year old girls. The first one had blond hair and very pale skin. Her hair was all over her face, which was very red, her shirt was out from the school's skirt uniform and she seemed unable to look up from the floor. There even seemed to be a few bruises on her face. Isa was pretty sure she had never met the girl before. The second twelve year old, however, Isabela knew well. She had dark brown very curly hair, dark brown eyes and light brown colored skin, just as Isa did herself. Indeed, she knew Lucia and herself looked quite alike. On that moment, the differences were that she looked like a twentish latino version of a college student, while Lucia looked like the twelve year old latino version of a hurricane. Her hair was half pulled from her ponytale, her face was bruised and her clothes were a mess. By Lucia's side, there was Maria, Lucia and Isabela's fifteen year old sister. Isa could not stop her first reaction.
"Maria! What are you doing here? How many times have I told you you shouldn't wait with Lucia when she gets in trouble? You're missing class!"
"It's checking homework day! Honestly, I'm not missing anything, everyone is just showing their homework to Takatsu. It's no big deal, I asked Bee if she could not give him mine when he calls my name and everything."
"Alright, off with you now, Maria. You shoudn't even be here, bye-bye, see you later!" said Isabela as she shooed her sister out of the officer. When Maria was properly out, she asked:
"Very well, what happened here?"
Principal Claire, straight and direct as always, answered:
"Georgiana and Lucia got into a fight. It seems that Georgiana did indeed provoke her, but you know we have a no-fight policy, Isa."
"Excuse me, she attacked my sister! There should not be a discussion about who is in the wrong here!" for the first time since she entered, the stranger by the window seemed to awake and react to something.
"She said that everyone who lives on eastie are thieves and whores! That we're all illegal immigrants and shouldn't even be on the States anyway! And she knows I live there." as in cue, Lucia exploded
"Lucia, calm down. Yes, take big breaths, you know you can do it." said Isa to Lucia. To the man, she replied "Really, I doubt my sister would have attacked yours with no provocation whatsoever"
"Now, before we start a court in here for who is to blame, let me make some introductions" said Principal Claire "Mr. Darcy, this is Isabela Bernardez. She is our very own alumna, graduated with honours from the class of 2015. She's also Lucia Bernardez's older sister. Isa, these are Georgiana Darcy and her brother. Georgiana is in Lucia's class, she has just been transfered from a boarding school in Hartford two weeks ago"
"If I may, Ms. Bernardez, I would prefer to have this... conversation with Ms. Lucia's actual parents. Do you even have their endorsement to decide anything?" Isabela could hardly believe Darcy's words. The guy could not be that much older than her anyway, who was him to doubt her position as Lucia's guardian?
"Actually, Mr. Darcy, I think you'll have quite some trouble trying to talk to them. They're dead. I'm my sisters' legal guardian" Isa said those words looking him in the eye, wanting to see his reaction. At least, he had the decency to look away.
She usually tried to break the news about her orphan status (and being her sisters' keeper) gently to new people, if she told them at all. Still, Darcy had been condensending and presumptious, just plain out rude.
Had Isabela been more certain on her good work as her sisters' carer, she would not have been so mad about Darcy's question. As it was, she felt hurt and insecure by the stranger's doubts, having herself an excessive reaction to such words.
"Well, I have questioned the girls before both of you got here. Her colleagues were also consulted." before things got out of control, Principal Claire interfered "It seems to be true what Lucia has said about Georgiana accusing people from East Boston of having less than an upright conduct. And Georgiana seems to have been aware of Lucia's her living conditions. However, Lucia, at this point, started the fight, pushing Georgiana to the floor. Both of them were trying to hit each other when the staff got there. Mr Darcy, while Lucia was the first to break our anti-fighting policy, and will be punished for that, Georgiana was the one who broke our anti-bullying policy, which, I believe, was a point you were very concerned about when you enrolled in our school. I was under the impression that bullying being completaly unnaceptable was one of your conditions for her enrollment. Really, Netherfield Hall cannot tolerate any of Georgiana's or Lucia's actions to this matter"
"Georgiana, did you really say those about people who live in East Side?" asked Darcy to his sister. Her answer was a meek yes. "And did you mean to hurt Ms. Lucia with your words?" Georgiana didn't seem to be able to look away from her lap now, and answered with a nonintelligeble general sound.
"Georgiana?"
"I did" she said quietly
"And has Ms. Lucia ever given you reason for you to be mean to her? Has she ever been hurtful to you?"
"No" answered Georgiana, before Isa could interfere on her sister's behalf
Darcy stayed in silent for a moment, after which he said "This, indeed, is a very serious matter. I will have an equally serious conversation about it with Georgiana tonight"
"About bullying other young girls with no provocation? Or about her prejudice against people from East Boston? Against immigrants? Against non-white people? Or it will be just about her vocabulary?" asked Isa in row, not letting a second go by between questions for Darcy to answer.
"It will be about it all." said Darcy coldly
"Of course. I will also have a talk with Lucy about how fighting is not a good way to deal with her problems, even if she is being bullied." Isa spoke, staring at Darcy
"As much as this is appreciated, I'm afraid it won't be enough. Both girls must be punished." said Principal Claire "Georgiana will be suspended for three days, one for her hurtfull comment, and two for keep fighting instead of looking for help. Lucia will be suspended for a day longer because she started the fight."
"But she had no part in any bullying" confronted Isabela
"Any physical one. A lot of people do consider fighting to be a way of bullying people, Isa. And I do agree with them. I realize Lucia is still having some issues after... everything, but I cannot open any exception when related to fighting"
"Claire, really, I have no place to leave her during the week. I don't want to let her at home all by herself after this." spoke Isabela softly, after taking a few steps closer to the Principal. Actually, Isa did not like to leave her twelve year old sister home alone at all, their apartment did not have the best security and it was on a bit unsafe area. She didn't want to discuss this in front of Darcy and Georgiana, but if she kept quiet now, the matter would be considered finished and closed.
"Well, I suppose Lucia could attend an in-school suspension, starting tomorrow. She would be on an empty class, with a teacher who is on a free period. If there are none at any time, she could stay here with me. It would be expected she would finish her work from the classes she misses, as well as at least part of her homework. No phones, tablets or notebooks on her. She would not be able interact with her peers. Still, she would be punished and be safe during the school day." spoke Principal Claire. Seeing Darcy's questioning look, she added "This offer applies to Georgiana too, of course. As long as the girls do not talk or interact at all between themselves."
"Thank you, Claire. This fixes up my schedule problems. I'm in the middle of a test week, there was no way I could stay at home with her." Isa cried, relieved
"I think Georgiana will also be on in-school suspension these next days. I would prefer her to be accompanied, and I have much work to do" said Darcy
"There is also another matter about which you should be informed: their future work. It is the school's policy that whenever there's a fight between peers big enough to end up in this office, they will be group partners for any school project for the rest of the term. As well, since their fight interrupted Ms. Dilly's class, it will expected that they produce a group essay about the subject of today's lesson, together."
"Uhou, is that all really a must, Claire? That's quite a bit of togetherness for two girls who have just had a fight!"
"It is, Isa. It's the school policy, and we think it has helped the students to learn to resolve their differences between themselves, in a productive way."
"Do any of you have any questions? Girls? Well, that's solved, then. I have to say that I am quite disappointed with your attitude, girls, but I do believe this will all be solved eventually." with those words, Isabela, Lucia, Darcy and Georgiana were out of Principal's Claire officer.
XXX
I've just changed a few grammar and spelling mistakes I've realized there were when I reread the chapter this morning. Not have changed any structural story point. I'm surprised how many people have followed and favorited the story! Thanks so much guys :D If anyone sees any mistake (grammar, spelling, plot inconsistency, etc), please, point it to me. I do not have a beta yet, so all mistakes are my own fault, and I would like to retify them. English is not my first language, so my spelling and grammar are not always in point either. Special thanks to MerytonMiss, who let me a lovely review!