Miss Collins lets out a long, exasperated breath before delving into her bag and producing a whistle. With a sharp blow, she halts Jett and Carlos in their tracks and fixes them with a stern gaze.
"Jett, my disappointment in you is immeasurable. What possessed you to pilfer Carlos' lunch and then proceed to torment him, even after he came to your aid? This behavior is simply unacceptable. Have you ever stopped to think how you would feel if the tables were turned? You're in for a world of trouble. Prepare for a month's worth of detention, extra assignments, and a chat with your manager. I'm also considering enrolling you in a community service program meant for wayward youths like yourself, in hopes of instilling some much-needed discipline and respect toward your peers."
"Why is it just me you're mad at? He was the one chasing me! You should punish him too!" Jett exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.
"I will not do that," Miss Collins replied sternly. "You took his lunch out of spite and enjoyed making him feel bad. Bullying is not something I condone in this classroom, and you know that."
Just then, Carlos's stomach let out a loud growl. "Ugh, I'm still starving," he said, shooting a glare at Jett. "This is all your fault!"
Miss Collins turned to Carlos, "What do you think should be done to fix this?"
Carlos replied, "I want him to buy me a new lunch. He refuses because he thinks he owes me nothing. What an egotistical jerk."
Miss Collins nodded, "That's a fair request. Jett, you will do it."
Jett threw his hands up in exasperation, "Oh come on, Miss Collins! That's not fair!"
"Stop complaining and buy him a new lunch," Miss Collins asserts, her voice firm. "That is not my responsibility!"
Jett retorts, crossing his arms defiantly.
"Yes, it is! You stole my lunch! You need to replace it!" Carlos interjects, frustration evident in his tone.
"No, I refuse!" Jett snaps back, unwilling to budge.
Logan, trying to mediate, pleads, "Will you please stop acting like a little kid and be mature enough to buy him his lunch?!"
Jett shoots back, "He's your friend! You buy him the lunch!"
"Leave Logan out of this! This is between you and me!" Carlos insists, his voice rising. Their argument escalates, each boy too caught up in their own indignation to notice Officer Garcia approaching. "Hello, Miss Collins. What seems to be the problem here? Why are the boys arguing?" he inquires, his tone calm yet authoritative.
"Jett caused a major problem for Carlos. I was out getting my lunch when the incident happened and have mildly resolved it, but they're still mad at each other," Miss Collins explains, her eyes darting between the boys.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance," Officer Garcia offers, clearing his throat to regain their attention. "Boys, may I have your attention, please?"
Carlos, breaking the tension momentarily, quips, "Hey Papi. What are you doing here?"
Officer Garcia expresses his concern, "I had hoped to share lunch with you today, but your teacher informed me that something went awry while she was out for her own meal. Can you shed some light on what happened?"
"It's all Jett's doing! He snatched my sandwich right from my hands! I warned him about the super spicy peppers, but he just dove in anyway. He couldn't handle the heat and started running around Palm Woods Park, screaming like a chicken with its head cut off. I figured I should step in. He was adamant about drinking water to cool the burn, but I told him that would only make it worse. He went ahead and drank it anyway, and the pain just intensified. After telling him a million times that milk would help, he finally gave in, but he didn't even thank me for my trouble. Then he started whining about how fiery the sandwich was and claimed it was a health risk because you made it for me. He even said you should be locked up for creating such a spicy dish and that we both ought to be deported!" Carlos exclaims.
Officer Garcia casts a disapproving glance at Jett, letting out a heavy sigh. "Jett, it seems you've earned quite the reputation as a troublemaker among your peers. Carlos has shared numerous tales of your bullying, not just towards him and his friends, but even towards younger kids like Katie and Tyler. You should really reflect on how shameful it is that your idea of fun involves making others miserable. It's disturbing to see how much pleasure you derive from their distress. This behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Are you planning to replace Carlos' lunch?"
"He insists he won't. That's what we were arguing about when you got here," Carlos replies.
"Well, I don't have the ingredients to whip up a new sandwich for you. How about you take mine instead?" Officer Garcia offers.
"No way, Papi. I can't take your lunch. You'll be left with nothing. I just want a new meal. I'd settle for a regular cheeseburger at this point. Please, keep your food," Carlos insists.
"Alright, son, if that's your choice. Jett, it looks like you're heading to McDonald's. It's just down the street, not far at all. Let's go," Officer Garcia says.
Jett groans in exasperation but begrudgingly follows his orders. They set off towards McDonald's.
As they shuffle forward in the bustling restaurant line, Carlos glances at the menu, his stomach growling in anticipation.
"What kind of cheeseburger would you like, Carlos?" Jett asks, his voice strained as he tries to mask his irritation.
"A regular double cheeseburger. Actually, I want two double cheeseburgers with ketchup for my fries, which I want in a large. Please and thank you," Carlos replies, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone. "Can you handle not messing that up?"
Jett's patience wears thin as he snaps back, "I'm going to shove those words down your throat!"
The tension escalates, and Officer Garcia, standing nearby, interjects with authority, "Keep your voice down and control that nasty attitude of yours! You wouldn't have to do this if you hadn't taken Carlos' sandwich."
The atmosphere thickens with unspoken rivalry as they inch closer to the counter, each moment amplifying the simmering conflict.
Upon acquiring their meal, Officer Garcia, Jett, and Carlos make their way back to the serene Palm Woods Park.
"Papi, how did your encounter with Lucas unfold yesterday at the precinct? Was he difficult, or did he heed your words?" Carlos inquires, savoring his fries.
"To my surprise, he was quite cooperative. I assigned him some constructive tasks, and he actually filed paperwork for me, organized binders by color, and even assisted in grooming the K9 officers in their enclosures. The last task was merely for enjoyment, and he seemed to relish it. He remained engaged throughout the day and displayed an unexpected level of respect," Officer Garcia replies.
"So, he's capable of kindness but chooses to play the tough guy to appear cool. He thrives on the reactions he provokes when he misbehaves. The attention he garners has been indulged by his father for so long that he's unaware of any alternative behavior," Carlos observes.
"That's a sound hypothesis, Carlos. Lucas is indeed a bully, and we all recognize this. Individuals like him often resort to such antics to draw attention, whether it be positive or negative. They crave the spotlight. Lucas will need to be guided away from that mentality," Logan asserts.
"How can that be achieved? He can't visit the police station daily; it's not a structured program or camp," James points out.
"True enough. He'll need to seek assistance elsewhere to amend his behavior," Carlos agrees. "But where could that be?"
"Once school concludes, we can explore options for him. Let's hope Mr. Mark is open-minded enough to consider our recommendations based on what we discover," Kendall suggests.
In the afternoon light filtering through the windows of Andy and Steven's room at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital, the atmosphere was heavy with concern.
"Man, I can't believe Jett would do something like that to you, Carlos. He's truly wicked, like a stormtrooper from those Star Wars movies," Andy exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief after hearing Carlos recount the troubling incident from their lunchtime at Palm Woods Park.
"Yeah, it's just terrible. He's such a horrible person. I'm really sorry for unloading all of that on you. I just had to get it off my chest; it's been gnawing at me all day," Carlos replied, his expression reflecting the weight of his thoughts.
"Carlos, my dear friend, your experience resonates deeply with a rather unforgettable incident that transpired between Steven and me at our esteemed school. It was a Friday, nestled in the heart of last month, during the lunch hour when the cafeteria staff unveiled their exquisite chocolate double-chip brownies, a true culinary delight. In a moment of sheer determination, Steven seized the very last brownie, just moments before an older student, Dylan, a rather imposing figure in the eighth grade, could claim it for himself.
Impatience overtook Dylan, who, rather than waiting for a fresh batch, demanded that Steven relinquish his prize. When Steven stood his ground and attempted to walk away, Dylan, a black belt in martial arts, swiftly subdued him in a headlock, his voice rising in a frenzied demand for the brownie, causing Steven to freeze in terror.
In a surge of courage, I charged at Dylan, delivering a decisive blow to his nose, which resulted in a satisfying crack. The cafeteria erupted into pandemonium, and soon enough, we found ourselves summoned to the principal's office. Both Steven and Dylan required ice packs for their injuries, and our principal was understandably displeased with the chaos that had unfolded.
Dylan's parents, upon hearing his account, sought to have both Steven and me suspended, believing we were the instigators. However, the principal's revelation of surveillance footage turned the tide, revealing the truth of the matter. Their expressions shifted from anger to embarrassment as they apologized profusely to us and our parents for their misguided assumptions.
In a moment of poetic justice, Dylan was compelled to apologize publicly, his humiliation palpable as he faced the entire school. Since that fateful day, he has refrained from troubling either Steven or me, and as an additional consequence, he has been barred from indulging in those delectable brownies on Fridays. Instead, he has been assigned the task of cleaning the cafeteria after school for three months, a punishment that I find most gratifying." Andy elucidates.
"That's terrible that Dylan is such a bully, but I'm glad he faced consequences for his behavior," Carlos remarks. "I'm really amazed you managed to break his nose."
"I didn't mean to, but I couldn't just stand by while he tormented Steven. Unfortunately, no one else intervened. I had to take a stand against that jerk. Now, when we cross paths in the school hallways, he shoots me a threatening look, but I remind him that I'm the one who took him down, and I'm just a 6th grader. I'm new to middle school, while he's an 8th grader, on the brink of high school. I may be smaller than him, but I still managed to hurt him. He just walks away grumbling about how he could have taken me down too, and I tell him that talking like that will only get him in trouble with his parents, teachers, and the principal, because clearly, cleaning the cafeteria every day after school isn't enough to teach him a lesson." Andy replies.
"Why didn't Tyson step in to help Steven when Dylan got too rough?" James inquires.
"Service dogs are trained to remain calm and composed in any situation. Tyson can't just leap at Dylan, even if that guy was being a total bully to Steven. If Tyson had bitten Dylan and he ended up needing stitches, it would have been a disaster, and I doubt Tyson would be allowed to accompany Steven to school again," Andy explains.
"That's a valid point. Still, it would have been something to see if Tyson had given Dylan a good scare," James replies.
"Now that would have been quite the spectacle," Andy chuckles. "Is there any chance Jett at your school could be taught to behave better?"
"No, it's pretty much impossible. But we do believe Lucas has the potential to improve," Logan responds.
"Didn't he spend the entire day at the police station with Officer Garcia yesterday to learn how to behave? How did that go? Was he misbehaving?" Andy asks.
"My Papi mentioned that Lucas actually behaved surprisingly well," Carlos shares. "We're looking for more ways to keep him on the right track."
"Why not consider Camp Unplug? My parents just signed Hannah up for it, and she's not thrilled. She hates the idea of being outside doing activities that don't involve screens," Andy suggests.
"She doesn't really strike me as the outdoorsy type anyway," Kendall adds.
"Indeed, you are correct. She detests the outdoors to such an extent that she will concoct any excuse imaginable to avoid basking in the sun. Last summer, she refused to join us at the beach, claiming that "sand is detrimental to her exquisite physique." He rolls his eyes at her peculiar teenage logic. However, her perspective shifted dramatically upon spotting a lifeguard sprinting by. He was a college-aged gentleman, yet that did not deter her from her pursuit. She orchestrated a dramatic rescue, tossing me into the deeper waters and obstructing my escape. With feigned concern, she called for that particular lifeguard to come to my aid. Once he confirmed I was unharmed, he commended Hannah for her vigilance. Unable to contain my frustration, I informed the lifeguard that Hannah had deliberately endangered me to capture his attention. His reaction was one of fury; he expressed his dedication to his role and his disdain for teenage antics that jeopardize safety. He warned her never to repeat such behavior or face a ban from that beach." Andy explains.
"How severe was the reprimand from your parents?" Carlos inquires.
"Catastrophically severe. By the time we reached the parking lot, our father was already berating her. Our mother matched his anger but chose to wait until we were in the car to express her fury," Andy replies.
"What was Steven doing while Hannah was tormenting you in the ocean?" Logan asks.
"He dashed off to fetch our parents. I was concerned he might become her next target," Andy responds.
Logan exclaims, "It's really disturbing to think about the lengths Hannah might go to just to catch a boy's eye."
"Absolutely, it is. What do you think about the Camp Unlug idea for Lucas? Jett could benefit from it too. Check out the website to see what they offer," Andy replies.
Kendall chimes in, "The website mentions that Camp Unlug is an excellent program designed to instill respect and discipline in troubled teens. They have activities like gardening, self-defense, litter clean-up in parks and highways, caring for animals, and journaling their experiences, which are then reviewed by a certified behavioral specialist. There are so many other engaging activities listed here. This could be just what Lucas and Jett need! Plus, it's a digital detox camp, encouraging campers to find entertainment beyond screens. Without their devices, they won't be able to access social media or chat with friends." He adds, "I can definitely see how beneficial this would be for Hannah."
"I'm glad you're on board with the idea, but do you think Mr. Mark will actually agree?" Andy inquires with a hint of uncertainty. "I can't say for sure, but he really ought to think about it, especially considering how important his relationship with Lucas is," Kendall replies thoughtfully.
"By the way, where's Angel?" Carlos interjects, looking around.
"My dad took her home; she was starving. Just to confirm, her cage and nail clippers are still at your place, right?" Andy asks, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Yeah, he swung by earlier to pick those up," Logan assures him.
"That's a relief. I'm so eager to leave this place. Steven feels the same way; he's been plagued by nightmares about those terrible cops. It's really taking a toll on him," Andy continues, his expression serious. "His mental health seems to be slipping the longer we stay here. He hasn't said a word and is relying on sign language. I understand it's his way of coping, but I just want us to get out of here. We both deserve to be in the comfort of our own home, in our own beds."
Logan inquired, "What did the doctor say about you and Steven getting discharged?"
"Nothing specific yet. He's been out in the hallway chatting with our mom for at least ten minutes about our situation. I really hope it's not anything serious," Andy replied, a hint of worry in his voice.
"Don't worry, Andy. You shouldn't let this stress you out. You need to find a way to take your mind off being in the hospital," Logan encouraged.
"I'm not sure how to do that. I usually unwind with video games or building with Legos, but I don't have any of that here. What can Steven and I do?" Andy asked, looking for suggestions.
"When I'm feeling anxious, I like to tackle a sudoku puzzle. It helps keep my mind engaged," Logan suggested.
"Numbers aren't our thing, though. Steven and I are terrible at math. Our grades would probably make a math genius like you cringe," Andy admitted with a chuckle.
"Oh, come on, Andy. Your math scores won't change how I feel about being your friend," Logan reassured him.
"Really?" Andy asked, his surprise evident.
"Absolutely! Now, let me show you and Steven how to solve a sudoku puzzle," Logan said, pulling out two puzzles from his backpack.
"Logan, I'm really not sure I can handle this. Steven is going to outshine me when it comes to learning sudoku. His problem-solving abilities are on another level compared to mine. I think his autism gives him a unique edge, allowing him to focus intensely on tasks. He's always so meticulous and follows a strict routine. Honestly, he's way smarter than I am," Andy admits.
"Both of you have your own strengths. You're right that many autistic individuals excel in problem-solving, and they often thrive in organized environments with set routines," Logan replies. "Now, let me break down how to tackle a sudoku puzzle." He carefully explains the rules, ensuring they both grasp the concept. "That's all there is to it. Are you ready to give it a shot?"
"I'm just going to mess it up," Andy responds, feeling defeated.
Steven glances at him, shaking his head, then signs, "You've got this, Andy."
"Thanks, Stevie," Andy signs back, feeling a surge of happiness and confidence from his brother's encouragement.
"It's amazing to see you two communicate in sign language. It brings me so much joy every time," Logan says.
"Logan, I really appreciate your help," Andy says gratefully before diving into the sudoku puzzle. He peers up hopefully and asks, "Did I crack this one?"
Logan glances at Andy's completed puzzle and offers a nod of approval. "Fantastic job, Andy. Let's see how Steven fared," he declares, moving over to the other side of the room. "Steven, incredible work as well!" Logan high-fives his buddy energetically.
Kendall, checking the time on his phone, announces, "Looks like it's time to wrap up our visit."
"Goodbye, my friends," bids Andy.
"See you later, pals," Steven chimes in.
Andy's eyes widen in excitement. "Did you hear that? He spoke! It's so great to hear your voice again, Stevie."
"We're thrilled too," Kendall says, leading the way as they all make their exit.
