The two in question are white as sheets, and one of them stammers. “Does this mean I’ll have a criminal history?”
When Austin doesn’t answer, I decide to. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“B-But,” he’s shaking now. “My college…Austin, won’t this affect my college admission?”
I feel a stab of guilt when I glance at him. He looks like a young kid right now, frightened. “I didn’t even start the fight. We were just hanging out, and their group attacked the younger kids. We had to defend them!”
“But shifting in public, Jerry?” Austin frowns, displeased. “Do you know how damaging that could be?”
“They shifted first!” Jerry points a finger at the sneering group of boys. “They called your mate really bad names and insulted you as well!”
“What?” I stammer. Which mate?
“You!” Jerry scowls. “They
