The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 71: Chapter 71

Cassie POV
When we walked into the school, Antonia immediately put on her fake work smile.  It was almost horrifying how she did it.  She walked straight up to the counter as I went over to Jessika.  She was standing beside Jakob, ready to attack any threat, "Mom and I want you two to sit out here with Jaelynn.  I'll come get you when we need you, okay?"
Jessika just nodded, but Jakob spoke up, "You know it's not Jessika's fault, right?  Jessika never did anything to make those girls bully her."
"Even if Jessika did something to provoke those girls, those girls don't have any right threatening or treating Jessika like this," I said, seeing him relax a little.  I have them each a kiss on the head and moved over to Jaelynn, "Try to get her to relax.  I could tell she's terrified."
"Okay mama," she said and I kissed her cheek before heading back to Antonia.
"Mrs. Meryl, the principle is busy right now.  You'll have to come back later," the attendant said.
"Mrs.... Carson, is it?  Allow me to ask, is the principal so busy that he is okay with my family taking legal action against the school for negligence in preventing bullying?" Antonia asked, all with a smile.  Even I shuddered a bit. The woman shook her head, "Then please do tell the principal that my wife and I would love to have a conversation with him.  We'll be waiting right here, with you."
The woman got on the phone while Antonia and I turned our backs to her, watching the kids.  "Do you have to speak like that with her?" I asked.
"With who?" Antonia replied.
"The woman behind us," I said.
"Schools won't take action until they are forced to.  Teachers won't help until it hurts them, staff won't do their jobs until they are put into a position that is either uncomfortable or will hurt them, and principles won't do shit until something ruins their position or reputation.  I dealt with these kind of people for four years... if you want to get shit done, you have to be that bitch," she said, rubbing her neck a little.
Back in high school, ASB was the strongest club and that was because of Antonia.  The years before she joined ASB was just another popularity contest, but when she joined everything changed.  People realized that whatever the club wanted they got.  At first no one could tell why but once Antonia's name got around everyone realized that she was the club's secret weapon.  They sent her to do their bidding and they always got what they wanted.  Antonia was always like that.  Whatever she wanted, she got.  She wasn't afraid to get dirty to make her dreams become reality.
Something I always admired.
"Ma'am's?" We turned around to face the woman, "The principal is heading up.  You can wait in his office."
Antonia smiled, "See, that wasn't too hard." Then she grabbed my hand and we moved into the office. Once inside, I took the seat I did last time when Jessika beat up the disrespectful twerp. Antonia on the other hand was looking through the shelves, walking around.
"How is your arm?" I asked. She was mumbling to herself so she didn't hear me. I was just going to give up asking but something told me to ask again, "Antonia, how is your arm?"
She heard me this time, "Oh sorry, my arm is okay. Sore. The doctor says it'll probably feel that way for a while and sometimes I'll get sharp pains in the future, but that's nothing."
She went back to mumbling, "What are you doing Antonia?"
"Trying to see what kind of man Mr. Cruz is," she said, "a person's office says a lot about them." She picked up a few books, smirking a little. This kind of stuff always interested her. Whenever we went to people's houses, she would walk around and take it in. From how it looked and felt, she would then figure out if she wanted to befriend them... of course she never did.
Before I could ask about her office, Mr. Cruz came in. He was smiling at us, "It's great to see you Mrs. Antonia and Cassidy Meryl. How are you two today?"
Antonia took the seat next to me, crossing her legs, "We're doing great Mr. Cruz... but it seems that our daughter hasn't had a good day in a long time." The mood of the room changed.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Mr. Cruz said, taking a sit across from us, "how can I help?"
Antonia leaned forward, tossing the letters onto the table for him to see, "How about you read that and tell me what you are going to do to stop it."
He grabs the letters and reads a few of them then drops it on his laps, "I'm very sorry Jessika has had to deal with this. We do not tolerate-" "'bullying and we will do everything in our power to defend our student'... heard that bullshit a lot Mr. Cruz... I'm tired of fluffy words. Action is now being demanded," Antonia said, "unless you want other types of action to happen."
"Excuse me?" Mr. Cruz asked.
Why am I here again?
"This has been going on for four years Mr. Cruz... my son and daughter have reported bullying over four times... my daughter has gotten into a fight due to the bullying... I believe far too much has occurred and you and your staff haven't done shit," she said. Mr. Cruz glanced over to me, but I just looked away. If he thinks I'll save him, he's an idiot. Antonia looks over to the bookshelf, "You're a money man it seems."
"Well... isn't everyone?" Mr. Cruz chuckled.
"Thomas J. Stanley, Ramit Sethi, Sarah Catherine Gutierrez, and Cait Flanders," she said, playing with her fingers, "each of them have written multiple books on how to save and become rich... being a middle school teacher in California in a well of area... I'd estimate you make around $70,000 a year, which makes your monthly check around $5,833... that's a good amount... but it's not enough to maintain your luxurious lifestyle." Antonia leaned forward, a grin on her lips, "So I wonder... how much do those girl's parents pay you Mr. Cruz?"
Glancing down at the list of names, I pick them up and say, "The Bergson family is pretty wealthy. I overheard Mrs. Bergson saying her husband just bought a house out in the Bahamas for around two million... her husband is a brain surgeon. The Clerk family won the lottery three years ago... about five million I think. The Moral family dominates the real-estate businesses around here and the Gomez family own three businesses if I'm correct. The Johnston's and Rider's have generational wealth - got their money from mommy and daddy. Last I heard, the Davidson's are in trade... all of them have enough money to drop six zeros every year."
Antonia's grin only grew, "Mr. Cruz, do you think the school district is willing to pay lawyer fees, lose clients, and get a bad reputation for a little nobody such as yourself? Your luxury life will go right out the window if my family and I decide to press charges... so... Mr. Cruz, how are you and your staff going to fix this situation?"
He sat there, looking down at his hands. Antonia's phone started to ring, so she excused herself to take it real quick. When the door closed, I leaned forward, "Mr. Cruz, here is some advice. Antonia isn't the type to go easy on anyone. She isn't afraid of getting what she wants and she will make sure those girls are punished." I stood up, walked over to him and took a seat on the coffee table. Smiling at him, I lower my tone and mutter, "My wife's crazy is out in the open... she shows you what she's made of the moment she walks into a room sir... but me? My crazy is hidden... so what I recommend is this, deal with her crazy because if you have to deal with mine... your job and reputation won't be the only thing broken."
The door opened up and Antonia stepped in, "What did I miss?"
Looking over my shoulder, I smile at her, "Nothing at all! Mr. Cruz said he will be taking Jessika's and Jakob's statements. After that, he will find an appropriate punishment for the girls. So let's call them in."