Trembling(21)

I started, staring up at her wildly. Had she asked a question? What were we even reading in English class?



"They just called you to the office," she said gently.



"Oh," I said.



"Are you sure you're feeling well?" she asked me. "Your admit slip said you were sick this morning."



I shrugged. "I'm fine," I said.



Ms. Call made a sympathetic face. "You're a good student, Azazel," she said. "I know you don't like to miss school, but your health is important."



I nodded. She was concerned for me. Cool. I wasn't paying attention in class, and I didn't even get in trouble. I excused myself and went to the office, convinced that I was in trouble for skipping Chemistry. But when I got there, they directed me to Mr. Dingle's office, where both Mr. Dingle and Hallam were waiting for me.



Great. What was going on, now? Was this about skipping Chemistry? Why was Hallam here?



"Sit down, Azazel," said Mr. Dingle, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk.



Sullenly, I did. I stole a look at Hallam. He didn't look happy.



"We're just waiting for Jason," said Mr. Dingle.



Jason? What was this about?



Right then, Jason came into the office. I looked up at him, feeling a swell of happiness at seeing him. I smiled at him. Jason didn't look at me. Great. He was still pissed about the conversation we'd had earlier. Come to think of it, so was I. I turned away, the smile dying on my lips.



Mr. Dingle directed Jason to sit down next to me. "When I discovered your living situation," said Mr. Dingle, "I decided I wanted to have a conference with your guardian."



Great. Perfect. Hallam was probably pissed at having his schedule interrupted.



"Azazel, Mr. Wakefield tells me that your parents were killed in November and that he is legally responsible for both you and your boyfriend Jason," said Mr. Dingle.



I nodded. Did he want a prize for correctly describing my living situation? I hated Mr. Dingle. I wished I had stolen his bell. I tried to catch Jason's eye and roll my eyes, but he wasn't looking at me.



"So," said Mr. Dingle, "you've had a lot of upheaval in your life recently. My concern is that you're acting out in order to garner some attention. Certainly, living in a house with a young guardian must be different than living with your parents."



Hallam surprised me by saying, "Azazel's not the problem."



What? What did he say? Hallam hated me. He'd never liked me.



Jason turned to Hallam. "What's that supposed to mean?"



Hallam folded his arms over his chest. "Honestly, Mr. Dingle," he said, "I'm surprised you've called me in about Azazel. Hasn't Jason been in at least two fights since the two of them started attending school here?"



Jason shook his head. "Hallam, this is low. If you've got an issue with me, you should talk to me about it yourself, not with the principal."



Hallam ignored him.



"Well," said Mr. Dingle, "yes, he has. But Azazel stole my bell and continues to lie about it. I know that you aren't a parent, Mr. Wakefield, but you have to see that this kind of behavior is inappropriate."



The bell was sitting on Mr. Dingle's desk.



Hallam picked it up. "Is this it?" he asked.



Mr. Dingle didn't look happy about the fact that Hallam was holding his bell. He nodded.



Hallam turned the bell over in his hands, looking at the engraving on the side. He raised his eyebrows. "Where did you get this bell?" he asked.



"I bought it at a rummage sale," said Mr. Dingle. "I liked the picture of the water. As you can see, I like to surf." He gestured to the myriad of pictures that decorated his office.



Hallam set it back down. "Interesting," he said.



"Stealing my bell was clearly an act of defiance," said Mr. Dingle. "And it has to be punished."



"So, you gave her detention, right?" asked Hallam.



"Well, yes."



"So, then what did you want to see me for?"



"I was hoping," said Mr. Dingle, "that you would support my disciplinary efforts at home."



Hallam shook his head. "Discipline?" he repeated. "We're talking about two very mature seventeen-year-olds, here. Before they became my legal charges, they were living on their own. I don't discipline them. I do my best to point them in the right direction, but that's all I can do."



"They aren't adults yet, Mr. Wakefield."



Hallam smiled tightly. "Sometimes I think they're more adult than most of the adults I interact with." He sighed. "Listen, Mr. Dingle, I'm as concerned about Jason's behavior as you are. But I don't think Azazel's as much of a problem as you think she is."