Althena Book 2

86. Fashion Crime

I get to Mrs. Crew's room and text the group. -Are you guys alright? The guards pushed me out. I didn't get to check you.-

Drogon: -What happened?-

Lila: -Akmae got jumped at lunch. It turned into a group fight. Security showed up. They had to call rescue squads. It wasn't good. There's blood everywhere. One guy couldn't get up.-

Conner: -We're fine, baby. Me and Akmae are going to come visit you after we get done here. I think I broke my hand. He's got a knot on his head, but we're ok.-

Mike: -Conner, we're sending our doctor. I want all the injuries documented on each of you before she heals you.-

-Fine.-

Cyrus: -Drogon is escorting him. They should be there in 15 minutes.-

Lila: -Why?-

Mike: -This sounds like a hate crime.-

Chris: -It's on the news. The press is there. Police are there. So far, 1 kid was walked out in cuffs.-

Mike: -We're on the way too.-

Cyrus: -Are any of you about to get arrested?-

Lila: -Josh might. He used our table to break someone's head.-

Akmae: -He also started it.-

Josh: -I didn't know they would attack you. I wouldn't have said anything. And I kept Matt off you.-

Akmae: -I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you like that.-

Josh: -I'm sorry too. It wasn't my place to tell them. It shocked me. And I didn't know it was a secret. Everyone else knew.-

Conner: -Where the hell are you, Akmae? The doctor is looking for you.-

-The room by Penn's office.-

Mrs. Crew comes in with school security. "We need you in the office, ma'am."

I follow them to the office. Conner is standing outside the door by Penn's office. "What are you doing?"

"He's in with the doctor. I'm the door guard."

I blow him a kiss and go to Penn's office. Drogon is with Penn, 4 advisors, and 2 police officers. I smile and wave at Armad. "Are you an advisor now?"

"I'm being trained for the position."

"You can advise me once. But only once. And not right now."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

Another advisor looks at him. "Do not use that until we all agree. She does not get advised from us. This is big."

Armad laughs. "This is progress."

Drogon gives me a hug. "Are you ok?"

"Yea, I'm fine. I think my guards were traumatized by how fast it happened. But they got me out of the way. They moved Katen and Lila too. We were right there."

Penn smiles. "What happened?"

"Akmae took today to tell people he's gay. Nobody really cared, and most people knew anyway. But Josh didn't know."

Penn nods. "They've been friends for years."

"Josh took it as a shock. He left our table and went to his old table. Where the basketball players sit."

The police officer asks, "Did he say anything before he left?"

"No. He got up and walked away."

"Then what happened?"

"We told Akmae not to worry. Josh will come around. He was just in shock. Out of nowhere, Akmae got pushed to the ground. Someone else jumped on him. One of them called him a name, and they said something about looking at their d***s in the shower. Conner was up before I could process anything. He went to get the guys off Akmae. Then my guards pulled me away."

"And Josh was not one of the guys who jumped on Akmae?"

"Correct. I don't know who the two guys were that did that. Then more jumped in and it was confusing."

"After that?"

"Mr. Penn was yelling and everyone scattered."

The officer changes papers. "Thank you for your statement. You're free to go."

I step out and Akmae's door is open. Conner is in there with him, so I go in. The doctor shuts the door behind me. "They're ready. I have everything documented."

"Why?..." A woman points at me and a man shakes his head.

I stare at them. "Who are they?"

The doctor smiles. "Those are Akmae's parents. They're fine."

"My hand, woman." Conner holds it out.

I take it in mine. "And your face, boy. You're not supposed to punch with your face."

"My hand hurts. I had to use something." We laugh and I touch his cheek. It was just a little pink.

"All better."

"Thank you."

I stand in front of Akmae, and he takes his shirt off. I guess he thought that was required. But his ribs are bruised. Someone kicked him. His head has a knot on it. He has a busted up hand too. I put my hands on the bruise and push magic in.

He hugs me and starts sobbing.

"You'll be alright." I hug him back and push magic in fast. I do it until the magic stops going in. He holds me and cries for another minute.

Then his mom steals him from me. "Son, we love you. We just want you to be happy."

His dad rubs his head. "Do not be afraid to come to us with anything. We'll help you work through it."

The doctor nods. "Is he healed?"

"Yes. I've done all I can do."

"Thank you." His mom hugs me.

"You're welcome." I'm not sure what else to say. She's a very huggy person.

Conner pulls me out. "Let them have some privacy."

The office is packed with people. Mike and Cyrus showed up with more advisors. Penn's staring into space. I look where he is, and my mouth hits the floor. "THAT IS A HATE CRIME. THAT IS A CRIME AGAINST FASHION. CHRIS, WHAT THE f**k ARE YOU DOING?"

He glares at me. "I WANTED TO WEAR A DRESS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?"

Akmae and his parents run out to see what the yelling is about. Akmae stands there with his mouth open. Nobody knows what to think.

"NOTHING, CHRIS. BUT YOU CAN'T WEAR THAT NECKLINE WITHOUT A NECKLACE. YOU KNOW THIS. IT IS A FASHION CRIME. CRIME AGAINST ALL LIVING THINGS."

"I DIDN'T WANT TO GO THROUGH YOUR JEWELRY."

"BUT YOU WENT THROUGH MY CLOTHES?"

"I NEEDED A DRESS."

"IT NEEDS A NECKLACE."

"I WAS IN A HURRY."

I point at him.

He rolls his eyes. "Fine. Let's go get a damn necklace."

"Finally. We'll go to the jewelry store. I want to look at wedding bands anyway."

We get out of the office and go for the exit. "Ok. I think I want a bracelet too. Seriously though, is the dress too much?"

"No. It looks better on you than it did on me."

"Doubt that and the heels are killing my feet."

"You walk well in them. You probably just need a different size."

"I have some in Crystal Falls. They fit me. I always practice when my parents aren't home. But I think they know anyway. My mom put them away a few times."

"I'm not surprised. You leave shoes everywhere."

We get outside, and the camera flashes go off in our faces.

I shake my head. "You had to forget a necklace."

"My bad."

"Were you involved in what happened today, Thena?"

"How do you feel about hate crimes, ma'am?"

"How do you feel about the assault on the young gay man?"

I smile at the cameras. "I'll let my best friend Chris answer that for you."

Chris smiles and waves. I look pretty while he talks.

"Hate crimes of any kind should not be tolerated. We need to stand together to combat hate. There is no reason to hate someone based on which s*x they are attracted to or which church they go to or what gender their clothes are. This is ridiculous. How can a piece of fabric even have a gender? People need to grow up and realize not everyone thinks like them. Get off your high horses and realize you're not better than someone else because you wear pants or makeup or frequent a different church or have a different skin color or like girls or boys. Grow the f**k up."

I put my sunglasses on. "Well said."

"Thank you."

We get in the helicopter and off to Central we go.

We walk into a jewelry store and all other life ceases to exist. This place is so sparkly. I don't know how long I stand and stare. Chris eventually grabs my arm. "I see it too. It's real."

"Can I help you find something?"

I glance at the girl and back at the sparkle. "I think..."

Chris screams, "I NEED JEWELRY."

"Follow me, and we'll start at the beginning."

"I want to start there too."

I try to follow and Chris pushes me back. "You need a wedding band first."

A man in a suit smiles. "I can help you with wedding bands. Right this way."

I look at a bunch of rings. It takes forever to get it narrowed down. Then I look at the plain gold bands in front of me. I pick a nice one. I think it's a good width. Then I pick one for each of the boys. I only buy one for Cyrus though.

"Would you like it engraved on the inside?"

I nod. "My forever."

"That's beautiful. Feel free to look around while we get it ready for you."

I run to the beginning and start where Chris did. They are organized by stones. Emeralds are first. And they are perfect.

A girl pops up in front of me. "Anything you would like pulled out, let me know."

Chris yells, "WEDDING JEWELRY IS OVER HERE."

The girl follows me over. It's all silver and white gold with diamonds. I could hug it and buy it all. But the girl helps me, and we get it narrowed down to a set. It's a necklace with a lot of diamonds. Then it has a drop piece in the front. I get the matching bracelet and earrings. Then I try to go back to the emeralds but Drogon and Mike come in the door.

Mike rubs his face. "They've each got their own team."

"Yea, this is bad." Drogon puts his arm around me. "How are we doing, baby?"

I point at the emeralds. "I want to start here."

"You've been here for 2 hours."

"I haven't started yet."

"DAMN IT, MIKE. I'M ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH. GO WAIT BY THE DOOR."

Drogon rubs my back. "Are you getting hungry?"

"No. I just ate lunch. Can I see that ring please?"

"Of course." She pulls a gold emerald ring out of the case. It fits my finger perfectly.

"I want this too."

"I'll put it with your other things."

"Babygirl, why don't you come with me to the office for a minute? Then I'll give you a bath while we're there."

I giggle and snuggle him. "I do like taking a bath with you."

He pulls me closer and whispers in my ear. "I'll wear that little p***y out."

I shiver and nibble his jaw.

"Let's pay for your stuff, baby." Then he says, "Chris, Akmae is coming over. If you want to see him, you have to pay now."

Chris nods. "I can always come back here."