CHAPTER TWELVE

LEAH'S POV

Preparing to drop Jessica at school this morning was not the way I wanted to start my day, but I needed to ensure that everything concerning her suspension has been rectified.

No one knows about my sleepless nights filled with constant worry and tears, doubting my capability as the legal guardian of my brother and my sister. I need to prove to the court that I'm capable and Jess's suspension, which will be, not only on the school record, but the court's record, against me as well.

I can't be proven incompetent and lose Jessy. Jer will soon be eighteen but Jess is still only sixteen.

I should have explained this to Logan but exposing my family's problems or my problem to anyone is not something I'm accustom to.

I need to apologize and be thankful for his assistance yesterday and also Diana Stanley for her recommendations to the Daniels.

My day is filled with apologies and thankfulness.

"Jamie are you ready?" Jess knocks on my door once, before opening it, all excited.

Smiling at her enthusiasm, to be with her best friend once again.

Observing her, knowing that I've kept her in the dark about the court matters concerning them.

Jerome found out about it after he found me in the garden praying and crying and since then, he has been determined to help me keep our small family unit together.

Last night, he was not fully receptive of Logan's visit because he is a stranger, but he started coming around at the dinner table because he remember grams words, 'guest's are angel in disguise'.

As I pondered, Is Logan an Angel? I'm getting a contract with his family's company. He came through for Jess at school and he still wants to be there for me.

"Earth to Jamie" Jess chimes, pecking me on my cheek. Coming out of my daze, "oh, you are day dreaming about Mr. Daniels" she coos, as if it was the most obvious thing.

Shaking my head in denial, I walked away, picking up the unsigned contract that Logan left with me, plus my handbag and keys.

We walked down the stairs together. to see Jer tapping his watch, indicating that we are late.

"It's Jamie's fault, she was daydreaming about Mr. Daniels" Jess quickly inform him, giggling as I see a small smile at the corner of his mouth.

Shrugging them off, I went into the kitchen. handing Jessy her lunch. "I got mines," Jer informed me.

Chuckling, pecking him on his cheek, "I hope the girl who gets you one day knows that you are a gem." I tell him as Jess and I giggle, walking out the front door.

Jer parked in the students parking lot, escorting Jess and I to be administration building, before he left to join his friends.

We walked to the office to see Mrs. Hills, whose eyes brighten as she saw Jess.

"Jessica, it's good to have you back" she greeted Jess before turning to me. "she is back, right?" she questions me with concerned.

Smiling, "yes, unfortunately" I responded hoping that I made the right call, yet again.

Putting an arm around me, "it's fine Jamie. I'm fine, don't worry" she says.

If only she knew, I thought.

"Mr. Antoine is waiting in his office for you all" Mrs. Hills informed us.

"Thank you, Jess and I told her at the same time as she give us a big happy smile.

Jess knock the door and opened it when we heard Mr Antoine, invite us in.

Adjusting my dark moss green sweater , pulling it self consciously over my light blue jeans.

Stepping into the office wishing I was already leaving, holding my head high ready to face Michaels dragon.

"Good morning" I say to the man behind the wide dark brown, desk, messed up with files and stationeries.

"Good morning Mr. Antoine" Jess says timidly.

Turning to look at her with concern realizing that she is fearful of him. I hope to change all of that today, because I was determined that Jess will never be held accountable for something she never did, again.

With a stoned expression, I held Jess hand and walked from behind the plant near the doorway towards Mr. Antoine's desk. I stopped short when I heard Jess,

"Logan" Jess says excitedly, letting go of my hands. walking across to where Logan sat at the far end of Mr. Antoine's desk.

Logan wraps his arms around her as she hugs him, with his eyes in me.

Blinking away tears that welded up in my eyes, seeing my sister accept a stranger in her life so quickly

I heard Logan say "You're welcome" so I guess that Jessy must have thanked him, yet again.

Looking away I turned to see Mr. Antoine standing staring at Logan, who now stood in front of him with an arm around Jess shoulders, no doubt to intimidate Mr. Antoine more and by the looks of it, it seems to be working.

Forcing my lips not too twitch, I glared at Mr. Antoine, "Mr. Antoine" I address him.

He looks away from Logan and Jessy, before looking at me, gesturing with his hands, "please have a seat" he invites me.

I stretched a hand out to Jess, as she came closer to me, to sit in the middle chair, while I take the chair to her right with Logan returning to the seat he just vacated on her left.

I continued glaring at Mr. Antoine, upset because his biasness could create problems for me with the Family Courts.

Sensing that I am still angry, Mr. Antione, spoke to me first, "Ms. Scott, I again apologize for the inconvenience with this situation" he says tilting his head to Jess, my sister.

I straightened my neck, staring him down angry now. "Inconvenience? Situation"?" I repeated mockingly.

Nervously, looking at Logan, quickly averting his eyes back to mines, "yes, the way I mishandle the bulling report" he explained, causing me to wonder if he is afraid that Logan would sue him.

Mr. Antoine turned to Jess, "Miss Scott, I want to apologize, on behalf of the school for not paying attention to your situation and the way I handled it" he apologized.

Staring at him mockingly, "but the school didn't do anything to me," she said, "you did" she snickered.

"Mr. Antoine, I will like you to revise the other reports you already submitted to the Family Court concerning Jessica Scott's behavior and any reports tarnishing Jessica reputation giving the Court the impression that I am a delinquent guardian" I said angrily, as I continued to glare at him.

Mr. Antoine immediately turned to Logan, before turning to me again.

"I will do the necessary paper work, rectifying my errors Mr. Antoine stammers.

Leaning forward, shifting files on the desk making space, before stretching his hands forward, clasping the palm of his hand.

"I have one better," Logan started "I'll petition the family court today and you will go in tomorrow and testify that all the reports you submitted thus far were wrong. I will put you on the stand and cross examine you concerning the bullying." Logan said smiling as Mr. Antoine squirms.

Nodding in agreement, without saying anything.