14 14: The Day I Get Lillian Out of Trouble

JACKSON

Jade seriously didn't have to come with him.

They both knew she'd be punished too for skipping school. So why was she doing this to herself? Never mind. She brought this upon herself. She wanted to come and he did try to stop her but if she didn't want to listen, then it was her fault.

Currently they were at a bus heading to Lillian's school. His grip on the handlebar tightened once he remembered how the principal didn't allow him to go check on his sister nor did he allow him to be excused so Jackson walked out of there, teeth clenched and head throbbing in a meaningless headache. Lillian never did anything reckless like him; there was always a reason on why she'd do something. If she broke someone's nose, she had a good reason on why she did that.

"Oh there's the coffee shop I wanted to try."

Jackson blinked, snapping out of his thoughts as his eyes found Jade's excited side profile. Once she sensed his gaze, she turned to him with a wide grin.

"What?"

"Ahh you just missed it." She leaned further back on her seat. "We just passed by this coffee shop I wanted to visit. I heard from my friends their mocha is to die for."

He pursed his lips shut. Should he continue the conversation or let it die?

"Well..." darn it, why was he doing this? "what's stopping you from marching in there and ordering like the boss you are?"

Jade chuckled at the term and replied, "I just can't find the time. This isn't my way home and well, I've got work on certain days."

She didn't elaborate and he didn't ask. The ride was certainly okay. She wasn't bad company and she wasn't one to chatter endlessly, something which surprised Jackson. He thought she was one to talk incessantly about everything and nothing but maybe it was something she did with people she was close and comfortable with?

He didn't know.

Did he want to know the answer to that?

The bus reached its stop and he jerked his head to signify their stop, Jade springing to her feet and following behind him. They went off the bus and hurried forward, Jackson moving almost on autopilot as he'd been in Lillian's school countless times.

Lillian's middle school came into view and he heard the little gasp of awe behind him. Jackson turned back to see Jade marveling at the school. The corner of his lips twitched upwards in amusement.

"Stay focused, Alderson."

"I'm right behind you," she shot back, irate. "I'm not a kid."

"Yeah I know."

He ambled forward, Jade scuttling to keep up with him. Huh. What was their height difference again? No matter. Lillian was more important. He walked through the school gates after a nod to the guards but he heard conversations behind him and when he turned, the guards were blocking Jade, whose furrowed brows and large eyes showcased confusion and indignation. Jackson hurried back and waved a hand.

"No no she's with me." His fingers curled around Jade's wrist and he transferred her to his side, using his other arm to wave away the grabby and insistent hands of the older guards. "Thank you."

He went forward again, Jade in tow and still in his grasp. When he realized that, he dropped her wrist like he was burned and laughed awkwardly. Jade smiled stiffly and swallowed, avoiding his gaze.

"Their office is this way. Keep up."

Once they reached the school office, Jackson knocked twice to announce his presence and opened the door without waiting for a response, seeing Lillian seated huffily on a chair with her arms crossed. The principal, Mister Emitt, cleared his throat and wiped at his foggy glasses as Lillian jumped up from her seat, making a beeline toward Jackson.

"They want to suspend me simply because I broke a boy's fragile ego." Jackson couldn't help but snort. Mister Emitt only sniffed and interjected, "Girl."

Lillian shot him a sharp look which was enough to make the principal snap his jaw shut and lace his fingers together. Jackson couldn't help the little sprout of pride in his chest. To have a grown man cower at just a well-thrown look by a literal child? Well, it certainly was something only Lillian Arden could accomplish.

Mister Emitt cleared his throat and took great care not to look at Lillian who was still glaring and narrowing her eyes at him.

"I—in truth, she punched a boy about her age during recess after he said something. We're still investigating on what he said exactly which made her overreact."

"Oh no sir," Lillian quickly said in a louder voice, widening her eyes threateningly. "You're horribly mistaken. How dare you label my reaction as an 'overreaction'? All I did was defend my pride and it just so happened to be in the form of a good-thrown punch." She turned back to Jackson, an even deeper frown than what he was accustomed to on her lips. "That fool kept harassing me blowing raspberries and taunting me. When he passed by for the nth time, he flipped my skirt! I think punching him was a mild punishment. I could've pulled down his shorts in front of the whole school but I did not! Imagine the self-control I had."

Jackson had no doubt she'd do that. She had a strong sense of justice and it didn't take long to really irritate her. That young boy was honestly lucky to have gotten away with just a punch. He had personally seen her do worse.

Jackson laid a hand on her shoulder. She didn't shrug it off, which he took to be a good sign as Lillian wasn't one for physical touch. He regarded Mister Emitt.

"Sir, I'm willing to hear the boy's side on why he kept bugging Lillian. I'd also be willing to talk to the parents and maybe come to an agreement on this mishap." His expression tightened. "But I don't think this incident is severe enough for Lillian to be given a suspension or anything like it. This was clearly self-defense and no, I'm not just saying this because she's my sister but because that's what happened, most likely." He took a breath before continuing on. "I'd like you to reconsider on the consequence of her punching someone in school grounds but let's not forget she did it for a valid reason."

Mister Emitt lost the scared expression on his face, smacking his lips and blinking. He met Jackson's eye then Lillian's for a brief moment before focusing on Jackson again. He adjusted his large circular spectacles.

"Um... yes. We—we shall negotiate the proper terms and conditions. I shall call you both once again to discuss this."

The invisible grip in Jackson's heart loosened. He smiled in gratefulness and was about to usher Lillian out the office when his sister stomped over to the principal's desk, Mister Emitt protecting himself with his arms. Lillian pointed at him and tilted her head to the side.

"Not a word about this to our mother. Understand?"

Mister Emitt cleared his throat and nodded. He adjusted his glasses.

"Yes." His eyes flashed to Jackson. "Yes, we shall keep this under wraps from your mother." He took on a sympathetic look to Jackson. "Am I to believe when you turn eighteen, Jackson, you'll take legal custody of Lillian?"

Jackson flushed in embarrassment. Mister Emitt still remembered that? Wow.

"Yes sir. It's only a few months then I'll sort out the papers and everything."

Mister Emitt was perhaps one of the few people who knew his living standards and strained relationship with his mother. It was... nice to be seen as someone taking charge. Yes... he had a reason to do this. He won't let Lillian suffer neglect like he did.

"But that still doesn't excuse Lillian from her afternoon classes so she'll need to go back to class."

Lillian went out screaming, "Learning here I come!"

Jackson blinked before sharing a small laugh with Mister Emitt.

"Thank you for the reconsideration."

Mister Emitt only tipped his head forward, small smile on his face.

None of them noticed how the office door was open, a teenage girl listening in this whole time.