Moonlight Nocturne

The other line is silent for a while before the voice answers, more somber then before. "I see. Any injured?"

 

"Two broken noses, one, um... other injury, and two boys threatened with a dagger."

 

"What other injury?" The voice is quick to react.

 

"... she kicked a boy in the crotch," he says, audibly embarrassed and irked.

 

Gabriel tries to hold back a chuckle, and almost succeeds. "Did uh, did she uh," he chortles , the coughs, clearing his throat and finally regaining his composure "Did she hit anyone with that knife?"

 

The principal sounds even more annoyed and embarrassed. "No. Though not for lack of trying. I..." He sighs heavily. "Since you're law-enforcement, maybe you can take charge of that piece of contraband. It's not street-legal."

 

"Certainly. I can come by official-like if'n you want, or you can just put it in a plastic bag and pass it to me through Nicholas. "

 

"... Plastic bag sounds... fine." He just wants all this out of his hair already. "Alright. Uh. Thanks. Sir."

 

"Certainly. Thank you Prin'pl, don't hesitate to call again if you need something."

 

"Of... of course. Have a good afternoon, sir," he says, and hangs up.

"... So. You two are... free to go, apparently. We'll... send the papers home, alright?"

He sighs and offers the knife to Nick, hilt-first, clearly awkward.

 

Elena clings to Nick, moving to take his hand. "Sorry," she mumbles.

 

Nick nods. "Uh. Do you. Need a current address? Uh. We know someone who can help her finish the year?" He pauses, then takes the knife, flips it blade down and tucks it into his belt.

 

"... her old address won't work?" He sighs heavily. "... Good. Then... Good. We'll send the paperwork."

 

"Uh. I mean. I can pick it up, but... My sister's probably going to handle stuff until her mom's out of the hospital."

 

"... alright. Uh... Why don't you call in on Monday, then?"

The principal really, really just wants this situation out of his hair.

 

"Oh. Yeah. Cool. Will do," he grins. "Uh. Thanks?"

 

The principal sighs heavily. "... You should... get her home, before the period ends."

This is not how his days usually go. He's in a little over his head.

 

Elena squeezes Nick's hand, going to follow him out. "... sorry," she says again.

 

"Yessir!" Nick chirps, then scoops Elena up into his arms in a bridal carry and heads quickly for the door.

 

She squeaks in surprise, and then just clings, arms around his neck. "Can we go home?"