Joshua's P.O.V
Precious wouldn't tell me who did those horrible things to her, she always insists that we should leave this matter alone. Although Precious wouldn't tell me who was responsible for what she calls her own humiliation, I suspected that Samantha and her squad were involved in this. After fighting with Precious about this, I had to drive back home where there was even more drama.
I was having a way crazy day, an argument with my dad, I didn't know how my mom was going to react to that. I arrived at home and sat in my car for a while thinking about how crazy this day was, my family was somehow falling apart and that was the reality I was compelled to accept. I finally left the car and got into the house, this time I didn't find my mom in the kitchen like I always did.
"Mom," I called for her and the was no answer.
I check her in the bedroom and she was not there, I checked the whole house there was still no answer, I went to the garden which has always been her second favorite place, she wasn't there. I just assumed that maybe she went to one of her old friends, I pulled out my phone and found out that there were texts from Precious.
"Josh, please don't tell anyone that I'm the girl on those pictures and please don't report Samantha to the school management, I am begging you," I read the text.
"If you tell me that you have better solution for making Samantha pay for what she did to you, I will back off. But for now, the first thing I am doing when I get to school, I am to the office." I replied her text.
I threw my phone on bed and a few seconds later, there was a text alert and it was a reply from Precious.
"Fine that's how much you want to ruin my life, go ahead with it but just know that my blood will be on your hands," I read the text.
"Why are you protecting her?" I replied the text.
Precious didn't return the text, I kept on lying on my thinking about why she was really protecting Samantha, I mean if I reported Samantha, it would be for her own good and maybe for someone else's good too. I heard the kitchen door open so I jumped off my bed and rushed to see who it was and it was my mom, carrying plastic bags.
"Where do you come from?" I asked.
"I went shopping," she replied "I needed to clear my head."
"Okay," I said.
She sounded happier this time, I looked at her wondering what brought her mood back.
"I got a call from your grandma," she replied "and she was swearing at me saying that I didn't teach you any manners. What did you do?"
"I had an argument with dad," I said.
"Oh my gosh, Josh," she said "can you please not get involved in our fights? This is way bigger than you."
"But ma…"
"No, Joshua," she interrupted me "I don't want you to get involved in our fights. Yes, you've grown and you can see what's going on but all this drama does not need you to step in."
I just nodded in silence.
"I hope this is the last time you disrespect your dad like that," she said.
"Okay," I replied.
She came and gave me a very tight hug.
"I love you boy," she whispered in my ear.
"I love you too," I replied.
She released me then started packing the things that were in the plastic bags she was carrying. I thought of Precious' situation and thinking about how much useful my mom's advices are.
"Mom can I ask you something?" I asked.
"Shoot," she replied.
"What would you do if your friend was being bullied but didn't want to report the bully?" I asked.
"Do what is right," she replied "what would the consequences of not reporting this matter be? And would reporting it help?"
"That's what I also thought," I said.
"Do what you feel is right," she said "if reporting it will help her, even if the person gets angry at you. Go for it."
"Okay," I nodded.
"Who is being bullied?" she asked.
"No, one it's just a question I was asked by a friend at school," I lied.
Mom knew when I was lying so even this time, she did figure out that I was lying but she wouldn't force me to talk when I didn't want to. After helping her pack everything she bought, mom prepared dinner for the both of us and after eating I helped her put the dishes in the dishwasher. After helping her with everything I rushed upstairs to take a quick shower and immediately rushed to bed. Setting my alarm for 05:00 AM, then slowly closing my eyes then passed out. Early Tuesday morning I woke up before the alarm, being energetic and refreshed from the beautiful sleep I had. I screenshotted all the chats in the group chat that was created to spread Precious' pictures. I printed everything then I went to the take a shower, after taking the shower I grabbed each and every paper, put the in my bag then I went downstairs where I found my mom singing as she was preparing breakfast for me.
"Well, someone is in a good mood," I said.
Well, you woke up early today," she replied.
I giggled "it's just a good day I guess," I said.
"Eat so that you can get to school earlier than everyone today, I'm going to take a nap," she said as she gave me a bowl of porridge then headed upstairs.
After eating I jumped into my mustang and drove off to school, ready to go to the office and expose Samantha and her groupies. I parked the car, grabbed my papers for and headed for the management offices. Right before I could enter the office, I looked back and there was Precious standing still staring at me, we exchanged looks. I turned back and walked into the office.
"Hello," the pretty receptionist greeted me.
"Hi, uhm I am looking for Mr. Johnsons' office," I said.
"The first door on your right when you get through that hallway," she directed me.
"Okay, thanks," I replied.
I slowly walked through the hallway, I got to the door and it was written "Mr. Johnsons." I knocked.
"Come in," he said with his deep voice.
I slowly opened the door, as soon as I entered the office, he took off his glasses.
"Mr. Joshua Jacobs," he said "what brings you here sir?"
I pulled the chair and sat down then threw the copies I made on his table; he gave me his undivided attention.
"What is this?" he asked.
I kept quiet for a few seconds and then we exchanged looks.
"I know who did that," I replied.
He gave me a surprised look, and paused for a few minutes probably trying to process the information on his desk.
********
Precious' P.O.V
This morning I watched Josh walk into the office and he we just exchanged looks, there was no way I could stop him because he was determined about reporting Samantha to the school management. That was just going to make things hard for me, I couldn't believe that Josh didn't even take my threat about my blood being on his hands serious. My life was just falling apart. In times like I needed Angela the most but she wasn't returning my texts since last night, I thought that I would find her at the bus stop but she didn't bother to wait for me even though I came on time. I went to class then took out my journal and started writing anything that was in my mind.
"I am humiliated, shamed, I am a mess. This feels like a curse, it's not that someone can just pass. Maybe I could slit my wrist and watch their tears but death is part of my fears. I miss the days we used smile and genuinely shout cheers."
I glanced at the door and there was Joshua coming into the class then we exchanged look as he went to the backseat, which was his favorite spot in the class, although he sat next to me most of the time. Immediately after Josh entered the class, he was followed by Mr. Johnsons who looked annoyed.
"Samantha Smith and your friends follow me," he said then left the class.
I looked back at Joshua and wondered what he told Mr. Johnsons, why did he call only Samantha and her friends and not me?