Hurt Me Like You Mean It [BL]-Chapter 40: Responding with physical aggression is unacceptable

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Responding with physical aggression is unacceptable

Madison and Tiffany hadn’t walked far before Lacey’s patience snapped.

"Hey!" Lacey called out, voice sharp and carrying across the hall. "You think you can just talk about my life and walk away?"

Madison spun around, smirking. "Oh, look who’s all fired up. Gonna cry now, little Lacey?"

Lacey’s fists clenched. "Cry? No. But I’m definitely going to make sure you regret talking about my parents like that."

The words drew attention from nearby students. Tiffany’s face reddened with anger. "You little—"

The scuffle hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Within minutes, Lacey, Madison, and Tiffany were escorted to the disciplinary office.

Lacey’s arms were crossed, her jaw tight, eyes blazing, she wasn’t scared, just furious.

Ashley trailed close behind, trying to be a buffer without drawing attention.

The disciplinary lady, Ms. Carmichael, sighed as soon as she saw the three girls.

"Really, this is the second fight this month? Sit down. Now."

Lacey planted herself firmly in the chair, refusing to sit meekly. Madison and Tiffany slumped in their seats, clearly wary of the older woman’s stern gaze.

"Lacey," Ms. Carmichael began, her voice firm but measured, "I understand you’re upset, but physical fights are unacceptable."

"I didn’t start it," Lacey shot back sharply, her eyes flicking to Madison and Tiffany.

"They tried to humiliate me because my parents are divorced. I wasn’t going to let them get away with it."

Ms. Carmichael raised an eyebrow. "I’m aware of that. But hitting is still against the rules and Madison, Tiffany. It’s highly insensitive for you to mock Lacey because her parents got divorced. You’re all going to call your parents immediately. And yes, this includes you, Lacey. After that we’ll discuss your punishment.."

Lacey groaned softly under her breath.

She didn’t want to call her parents right now, she wasn’t ready to face them after the tension from the divorce.

But there was no getting around it.

Ashley leaned in slightly, whispering, "You don’t have to say much. Just let Lance handle it if you want."

Lacey gave her a small nod, grateful for the support. She picked up the phone first, hands trembling slightly not from fear, but from the anger still simmering inside her.

And because she knew Lance was going to scold her.

It didn’t take long before Lance answered. "Hey Lace, what happened?"

His voice was sharp, immediately cutting through the tension.

"They...Madison and Tiffany..they were trying to humiliate me.." Lacey said, her voice tight. "I didn’t start it, but it... it got physical. Ms. Carmichael said I had to call someone, so..."

"I’m on my way..." Lance said immediately. "Stay put. Don’t let them scare you, alright? I’ll be there in 40 to an hour okay?"

"Yes... okay..." Lacey muttered, letting herself slump back slightly into the chair.

Ashley gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and for a moment, Lacey felt a little safer.

Once all the parents had been notified and the calls concluded, Ms. Carmichael cleared her throat, drawing the students’ attention.

"Now that everyone has spoken to their guardians," she began, her tone leaving no room for argument, "we will discuss consequences for today’s behavior."

Madison and Tiffany shifted uneasily in their seats. Ms. Carmichael’s gaze swept over them, sharp and unwavering.

"Because you two were deliberately mocking a fellow student about a very personal matter," she said, her voice low and firm, "your actions were not only cruel, but calculated. Therefore, your punishment will be more severe."

Madison’s lips pressed into a thin line, while Tiffany’s eyes widened, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"You will each write a formal apology to Lacey, explaining why your behavior was unacceptable," Ms. Carmichael continued. "Additionally, you will spend three days after school assisting with administrative duties in the student office. This is not optional. You will also attend sensitivity training sessions next week."

The girls groaned audibly, but Ms. Carmichael didn’t flinch.

"And as for you, Lacey..." she said, turning her gaze to the younger girl, "I recognize that you were provoked. However, responding with physical aggression is also unacceptable."

Lacey stiffened but didn’t look away. She was ready for this, having known there would be consequences.

"You will serve detention for two days," Ms. Carmichael said, "and write a reflection on alternative ways to handle conflicts."

Lacey exhaled slowly, her jaw still tight.

Two days of detention was nothing compared to the humiliation she had endured and besides, she’d rather face the punishment than let Madison and Tiffany’s taunts go unanswered.

Ashley leaned closer, whispering, "You’ll get through this, Lacey. You handled yourself."

Lacey gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Yeah... I just wish it didn’t have to be this messy."

Ms. Carmichael stood, signaling the end of the session. "I expect these tasks completed by Friday, and I want this behavior to stop immediately. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma’am," the three girls said in varying tones, though Lacey’s carried a simmering edge.

As they left the office, Madison muttered under her breath, and Tiffany shot Lacey a glare, but Lacey didn’t respond.

Ms. Carmichael leaned back slightly in her chair, exhaling as if the tension in the room had worn her out.

"When your guardians arrive," she said, her voice calm but firm, "I will be speaking with each of them individually. I expect everyone to behave during that conversation. Hopefully, we can all leave here with a sense of understanding and, ideally, everyone will get along."

Lacey’s eyes flicked toward the clock on the wall, counting down the minutes until someone would show up.

She still hadn’t wanted to involve her brother today, but with Madison and Tiffany’s guardians also expected, there wasn’t much choice.

Ashley gave her a small squeeze. "At least Lance will be here.." she whispered, offering reassurance.

Lacey nodded, though her hands still fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve.

She hated the thought of facing her parents so soon after everything that had happened with the divorce, but at least Lance’s presence made it bearable.

The door opened a few minutes later, and the first guardians began trickling in.

Madison’s mother stepped in first, her expression sharp, eyebrows raised in mild disapproval as she glanced at the three girls.

Tiffany’s mother followed closely, muttering under her breath but keeping her hands firmly on her daughter’s shoulders. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Tiffany mother sighed, the irritation was obvious on her face. "Tiffany I’ve told you many times to stay away from the Dixons.."