The next morning at school, Maya found him before first period, pulling him aside near the band room where few students gathered. "I saw what happened yesterday," she said without preamble. "With that cop?" Jallen's expression remained neutral. So, so it was messed up the way he talked to you.
She hesitated, then added, "I recorded some of it." Jallen's eyes widened slightly. The only indication of his surprise. "Why would you do that?" "Because it wasn't right," Maya said, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"My dad's a civil rights attorney. He says always document." Jallen nodded slowly, processing this information. What are you going to do with it? Nothing, unless you want me to.
But was it true about your dad? The question hung between them. Jallen considered brushing it off, denying it or changing the subject. Instead, he simply said, "Yes." Ma studied his face for a moment, then nodded.
"Cool. Just wanted to know." The conversation ended as the warning bell rang. But as Jallen headed to first period, he felt Mia's question lingering. Was it true about his dad?
Yes. But even Jallen didn't know the full extent of what that meant. Word spread fast at Oakidge High. By lunchtime, somehow people knew about Jallen's confrontation with Officer Grayson. As he sat alone at his usual table, Tyler Wilson and his friends approached.
Hey, King. Tyler called loud enough for nearby tables to hear. Heard you told Grayson your dad's like Rambo or something. Jaylen kept eating his sandwich, not looking up. My dad says your dad works at Burger Force, not special forces, Tyler continued, encouraged by his friend's snickering.
Your dad talks about my family at dinner. Weird, Jaylen replied coolly, still not looking up. Tyler's face reened. Whatever, man. Everyone knows you're lying.
Your dad probably ran off years ago. Jallen finally looked up, his dark eyes meeting. Tyler's. He said nothing, but something in his steady gaze made Tyler shift uncomfortably. Come on, guys.
Tyler muttered, retreating with his friends to their regular table. Maya slid into the seat across from Jallen a moment later. Ignore them, she said. Tyler's dad is that real estate agent who got caught posting racist stuff online last year. Jaylen's mouth twitched in what might have been a smile.
You know a lot about everyone's parents. Mia shrugged. My mom works at the courthouse. I hear things. They ate in companionable silence for a while before Mia spoke again.
So special forces. That's intense. I don't want to talk about it. Jaylen said quietly. Mia nodded.