Broken, Navaura Campbell [top young adult novels txt] 📗

didn’t want to pull you out of class, but however, considering the circumstances, I had no choice.” I stared across the desk at Ms. DevonPeele and said nothing. “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

I turned my face away from her toward the window. I’d been sitting in her office for a good fifteen minutes and she’d already gone over the text with me and spoke about how she condemned such inappropriate content being displayed on school grounds. She already knew who’d sent the message and would deal with the remaining pupils involved after she dealt with me. She also stated given my temper, she wanted to make sure that I wasn’t allowed on school grounds for a couple of days. This I found funny.

 

She only wanted to get the scoop beforehand and what perfect way to do it than to pretend to be looking out for my and everyone else’s best interest. Well, the joke was on her because not only was I not giving out blows. I also wasn’t giving out information. Glancing down at my watch, I said, “My mom’s outside, so, I’m just going to sign out and be on my way.”

 

“Your mother didn’t call the office yet.” She attempted to stop me.

 

I held up my phone. “She just sent me a text.” Just then, her phone rang on her desk and I watched as she answered, “Principal Devonpeele...Yes, she’s here...alright and thank you very much for picking her up...No, just for a couple of days, she can return on Wednesday, when things die down a bit...Yes...I assure you Mrs. Williams. None of this is her fault...Yes, she was just caught in the middle of it. Well, I have to make sure that the students remain safe, especially after what occurred in the library earlier.”

 

I raised a brow, What occurred in the library?

 

“Yes, ma’am, a couple of students got into a fight and they were sent home...Well, ma’am, it was over the text message sent...” I listened silently, but inside I was raging and my heart was racing.

 

Dread filled me as it dawned on me that come tomorrow, everyone who went to this school would know what conversation had taken place between me and Tamarah. The question was, who had over heard the information? I cursed myself for not checking the stalls. How much more embarrassing could this be? The school’s involvement, my parents involvement...” As it dawned on me how many kids had parents, I shook my head in disgust. I’d be the talk of the town by the end of the week. Everyone from here to tim buk tu would know that my boyfriend had gotten my bestfriend pregnant. As I put my face in my hand, I tried not to allow tears to fall from my eyes.

~ ~

Denise was still talking to the principal when Vanessa entered the vehicle. The solemn expression on her face spoke of the suffering she’d had undergone this after noon.

 

“Thank you, Ms. Devonpeele. Have a nice day.” After discharging the conversation, Denise hung up the phone. She put her foot on the break and pulled the gear shift to Drive. Vanessa cleared her throat. “I don’t want to talk about it mom.” Denise nodded her head, “I know. I wouldn’t want to either.” Vanessa crossed her arms over one another, staring straight ahead. The car was silent as they made their way home. Once there, Vanessa opened the door, got out and shut it behind her. Denise, who'’d been getting groceries at the grocery store when Ms. Devonpeele called, popped the trunk and grabbed the few paper bags inside. She closed the trunk and pressed the button on her key ring to ensure all doors were locked.

 

Denise was in the kitchen putting away groceries, thinking about what the principal had told her. Apparently one of the students was pregnant in the school and ironically enough, it had been spread throughout the school and unfortunately, it had something to do with Vanessa. Denise furrowed her brows, Vanessa wasn’t pregnant was she? As this thought entered and she was about to call Vanessa down for a chat, the doorbell rang. She closed the fridge and went to the door.

 

Tamarah stood there staring at her with tears streaking her face. Denise put her hand out and ran it across her face. “Are you alright?” She asked. Tamarah shook her head no. “My life is ruined.” She whispered. Denise placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and allowed her entrance into the house, moving to the side. Closing the door, she asked, “What’s a matter?” Tamarah sniffled, “I...”

 

“Get out.” This caused Denise to glance up at Vanessa who was coming down the stair landing, her face looking as if she wanted to murder Tamarah. Tamarah glanced up, tears streaking her cheek. “I’m sorry Vanessa.”

“I don’t want you around my family, get out.” Vanessa stated, her voice getting louder. Denise raised a brow finally understanding what was going on. “Vanessa, she’s your bestfriend.”

 

Vanessa who’d came from the stairs, stopped in front of them. “Not anymore. She needs to get the hell out of here before I throw her out. Get out!” She yelled. “Vanessa...” Her mother started, her heart dropping at the dark storm growing in her daughter’s gaze, causing her pupils to turn a light grey. Denise knew that look all to well. It would continue to darken to a dark charcoal black if her request wasn’t heeded and after that, there was no telling what would happen. Glancing over at Tamarah, she stated, “You know, perhaps it’s best for you to leave.” Tamarah glanced at Vanessa, her gaze bearing a brokenheart . Turning toward the door, she left. When the door closed, Denise glanced at Vanessa who just stood there, her expression dark. “Vanessa, what’s going on?”

“She’s pregnant by Tommy, that’s what.”

 

Denise blinked, her eyes round and wide, “Come again?”

 

“You heard me.” Vanessa stated, turning toward the stair case.

 

Denise stared at her daughter's retreating figure, "What..." Vanessa shrugged her shoulders as she walked back up to her room.

Denise was so flabbergasted that she didn’t even know how to address the situation. Her mind tried to process the fact that a pregnant fifteen year old just left the house. Her daughter’s best friend was pregnant by her daughter’s boyfriend?

This was unsettling to her, that not only was she pregnant but a young teenager was going to be a mother too, what the hell....

~ ~

 

Chapter Twelve:

 

“Here’s what we have Mr. Marks, just to be clear...You say that on Thursday, March 15, 2019, you got into an argument with your supervising manager Mr. Chad Estalle and he punched you in the nose, correct?” Jordan inquired, already knowing that this was a case that would not be going to far, therefore, he would not give it any attention.

“Yeah, he punched me in the nose after I told him that he could take his job and shove it up his arse.” Jordan nodded. “Any you want to sue him for assault?”

“I do because it’s unconstitutional for a surpervising manager to punch an employee.”Jordan lifted a brow. “Unconstitutional?”

“Yes. I believe he should get what’s coming to him.”“Mr. Marks, everyone within eye witness view stated that you punched him first, that you drew the first lick.”

“I did not. He the one who did me wrong, telling me I’m terminated without cause.”Jordan sighed, “Mr. Marks, at the beginning of your employment you signed a document stating that he could fire you without cause.”

“Mr. Williams, you don’t sound like you want to help me.”Jordan stared at the younger man, shaking his head, “I refuse to prosecute a case where you the instigator.”

“I didn’t instigate anything. You know what, I know what this is about, you don’t want to take me on because...” Jordan held up his hand, interrupting him, “Wait a minute, Marks, color has nothing to do with this. You simply don’t have a case. Any judge would throw this out. In front of ten witnesses, which can all be verifiied, you threw the first punch and therefore the other party had a right to defend himself.”

“Those witnesses are lying.”

Jordan exhaled, “I see. Mr. Marks, I’d appreciate it if you could take your case else where, I refuse to participate.”

Mr. Marks shrugged his shoulder, “You’re not even the best, I just came to you because you were more reasonably priced. I need the best on my behalf and apparently you’re not.”

“Have a nice day Mr. Marks. Thank you for stopping in.” Jordan ignored his statement. While he wasn’t the best yet, he was surely working his way there, making a name for himself. He’d actually had his own firm for seven years now and there was nothing better than setting your own terms. Those terms meant not having to take on any case he didn’t want too and this particular case, he definitely didn’t want. They guy had actually swung on his boss, so as a method of protection had been punched in the eye and told to get out of the building before he’d be escorted out by the company.

 

As a sense of his own precaution, Jordan dialed Bridgett his secretary number and asked her if Mr. Marks had made it her way. She informed him that he had, but also said that his one oclock appointment, Gina Harrelson was here. He told her to send her back. He’d gone over Gina Harrelson’s file and and saw that she wanted to pursue a sexual harrassment case. He’d gotten her initial form and asked her to come into the office, so that he could get more information on what had been happening since she started working at INK Palace, a company that offered services for up and coming writers.

 

Although the establishment was in Richmond, she said that she’d wanted to go outside the Richmond area to find a legal firm that wasn’t in INK Palace’s pocket. What made Jordan curious was the fact that of all the law firms more reputable, she’d actually chosen one that had been open for a short amount of time. He was sure there had been other firms in the area, but had chosen, Eye Corp as her choice. Jordan pushed the intercom button on his desk, speaking to Bridgett, “Will you please send Gina Harrelson back, please?”

 

“She’s on her way now, Mr. Williams.” She stated. Jordan glanced down at his notes, going over them once again and waited for her entry. When he heard a knock at the door way, he stood up, placed his pen on the desk and prepared to greet the woman in the door. He paused in his steps, his heart doing a little dip and suddenly little electrons coursed through his body. His eyes stared in awe at the young lady before him. Hair as red as fire, deep crystal like blue eyes and full cherry colored red lips. His gaze scanned over her perfectly formed face, high cheekbones, long slender neck, and a sleek form to match. As his eyes roamed further, they caressed beautifully built sleek shoulders that were accented by the short sleeve tunic she wore. His pulse sped up as his eyes roamed further.

 

A clearing of her throat, brought his head back to her face. His eyes met hers with a deep