I continued to sit with Layla and her friends at lunch and drive home with Cara, Cassie and Mike. I didn't mention either group to the other again, for obvious reasons, and I didn't give much more thought to Cara's warning either.
A week or so later, I was hanging with them at lunch and they got started about some rumours that had been floating around.
"Do'ya reckon it's true?" Dee asked Oliver suddenly after a lull, "You know, the rumours of a meta school?"
"Dunno," Oliver said, "To be honest it makes me nervous; separating all those meta teens from everyone else. It'd make them a bit of a target unnecessarily. Meta teens don't always need help – they can fit in perfectly well with everyone else."
"Could be good," Jinn argued, "It might get rid of some of the stigma associated with having powers if people could see that they're good people, not like the monsters you see on tv."
"Layla? What'd you reckon?" Dee asked, glancing at their curiously quiet leader.
"Hmm, could just be a ploy so the government can register all the powered teens before they become problems. Oliver's probably right, but Jinn isn't wrong." Layla considered. "To be perfectly honest, I wish they were spending money on helping people like that Brynn kid."
"Who?" Oliver asked, looking up from his drawing book.
"That kid from the year below who shot the meta girl last year. Apparently, he was only trying to rob Klark's because he needed money to pay his brother's bail. His family wasn't doing anything, and he felt pushed into a corner. I know there was something involving a gang as well – his brother got in deep before he was caught or something like that." Layla explained patiently, drumming her fingers on her black running tights.
I didn't know what to think.
Brynn was only trying to protect his brother. Because his family didn't even care enough to pay the bail?
"Wait," I said, speaking directly to Layla, "So he wasn't just a 'young thug'? I know some of the media portrayed him like that"
"Yeah," She snorted derisively, "Useless journalists. He was just a desperate kid with no one to turn to. He may not have done the right thing, but his motives weren't all bad. Helping family is admirable, not despicable."
I wouldn't call journalists useless; without Iris' article, I would've been expelled for sure, not to mention the mark on my record would've guaranteed a refusal from most other schools I'd have tried to attend.
But I couldn't deny that Layla had a point.
The wooden slats dug into my back and my bottom was numb from sitting on the asphalt. I shuffled around.
"So, his family didn't care?" I confirmed, almost feeling like maybe I should've just let Brynn rob the convenience store. At least I wouldn't have been shot.
"Nope, his Mum's a drunk, Dad's a night-shift worker and neither seemed to pay much attention to either of their two sons." Layla said nonchalantly, glancing at me curiously – I hadn't contributed to discussions much before and I could tell she was surprised at my interest. I wondered how she knew so much about Brynn's situation.
"Not an uncommon story." I muttered, deciding to ignore her curiosity.
"You can relate?" Jinn asked softly.
I hesitated, before confirming with a shrug. I wasn't sure how much to tell them; "My Da wasn't exactly the attentive type." Letting out a small breath, looking away.
Idiot, it's not your fault! Stop feeling embarrassed for his choices!
"Stupid adults with their stupid systems. I'd punch some sense into them right now if I could." Dee growled. I looked up in surprise, but all I found was sympathy and solidarity.
I felt strangely relieved at their support and acceptance. No more was said on the topic that day, but for the first time in a long time I really felt like I belonged in a group.
Author's Note:
OOooooh social justice teens! They don't just talk about make-up you know...wait you probably do know :) Anyway, what do you guys think about Brynn? Motivations are interesting to explore, but does good intentions make up for horrible actions? How are our perceptions influenced by how people tell a story?
Ugh. Sorry guys, just slipped into English Analysis mode XD
Anyway, have a nice week :) and PLEASE review! Feedback is so valuable!
Trix