I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
_________________________________________
Chapter 38: The Truth Comes Knocking
Jay Pritchett had seen a lot in his life.
He'd survived war zones — some overseas, most at family dinners — but nothing quite prepared him for the chaos that just barged through the principal's office door.
Alex.
Haley.
And some kid built like a linebacker.
The door slammed shut behind them, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.
Jay raised an eyebrow. Gloria blinked in surprise. Jon, to his credit, he looked calm even in this unexpected situation accepting the arrival of this circus with a smile.
Principal Reynolds adjusted his glasses, clearly annoyed. "Excuse me—this is a private meeting. What's the meaning of this?"
Alex stepped forward — head high, voice calm, that unmistakable Claire stubbornness carved into every word.
"We have information regarding Jonathan Hale's situation," she said. "Information that might change the outlook of this whole thing ."
Jay leaned back in his chair.
Smart kid.
Reynolds sighed — clearly not thrilled, but probably realizing that ignoring them could blow up in his face later.
"Fine," he muttered. "Let's hear it."
Alex nudged Haley.
Haley, predictably, looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.
But to her credit, she spoke up.
"Okay… so, first of all — Jon wasn't even supposed to be at that party," Haley began, rubbing the back of her neck. "It was me and Dylan who went. And, uh… things kinda got out of hand. Dylan got thrown in a pool by these college jerks, and I called Jon to come pick us up."
Jay fought the urge to rub his temples.
He wasn't surprised.
Disappointed?
Maybe.
But surprised? Never.
Haley finished explaining the events — how Jon showed up, how those college guys wouldn't let them leave, how things escalated.
Then Alex stepped forward again — all business.
"I sent the full video to your computer," she told Reynolds. "I suggest you watch it before making any decisions."
The principal clicked away at his computer, opening the video Alex sent.
Jay and Gloria leaned in, watching the footage unfold.
There it was.
Plain as day.
Five punks throwing Dylan into a pool.
Jon helping him out.
Jon, Haley and Dylan trying to leave — only to get blocked by the same guys.
And then — finally — Jon landing that now infamous punch.
Jay didn't smile.
Didn't gloat.
But inside?
He felt it.
Vindication.
He knew the kid wasn't some hot-headed brawler.
Jon fought like he always did — when there was no other choice.
Gloria, on the other hand…
"Ay Dios mío!" she snapped, glaring at the principal like she was about to throw him into a pool. "You were going to punish him without knowing the whole story?!"
Reynolds looked like he swallowed a lemon.
Red-faced, he cleared his throat.
"Yes, well… it appears there were… extenuating circumstances," he said stiffly. "Jonathan — it's clear you were defending yourself and your friends. That said — the school maintains a strong stance against violence."
Jay grumbled under his breath.
Typical.
Punish the kid for doing the right thing.
But he wasn't about to pick a fight in a principal's office. Not in front of the kids.
Reynolds straightened his tie. "You're off with a warning this time, Jonathan. But in the future — try to avoid resorting to violence."
Jay shot Jon a look.
That "You did good, kid" kind of look only dads and grumpy old men know how to pull off.
Jon gave a small nod.
Quiet.
Respectful.
Just like always.
Reynolds waved a hand. "You're all dismissed."
Without another word, Jay stood, motioning for the others to follow.
Gloria huffed the whole way out.
Alex and Haley exchanged a small grin — sisters on the same side for once.
And Jon?
Jon walked out like he always did.
Head high.
Calm.
Jon's Perspective
The door clicked shut behind them.
Freedom.
Well — sort of.
Jon exhaled slowly as they stepped into the hallway. The tension in his shoulders eased a little, but not completely. Not while Jay still had that look in his eye — the "we're gonna have a talk" look.
Alex and Haley were already whispering to each other — probably arguing about who saved the day more.
Typical.
Jon turned to his friend — Terry — who looked somewhere between impressed and terrified after sitting through that showdown.
"Terry," Jon said, gesturing toward Jay and Gloria, "these are my… well, they're basically my family. Jay and Gloria Pritchett."
Terry — all six-foot-something of him — straightened up like he was meeting royalty.
"Uh — nice to meet you, sir. Ma'am." His voice cracked a little. Kid could flatten guys on the football field but meeting parents? Different battlefield entirely.
Jay gave a simple nod.
Sizing him up.
Old man instinct.
Gloria, of course, smiled warmly. "Ay, look at you! So polite. Are you one of Jon's football friends?"
"Yes, ma'am," Terry replied quickly.
Jon clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright, big guy. You better get to class before Coach starts breathing down your neck."
Terry didn't need to be told twice.
Alex gave Jon an approving nod.
"Try to stay out of trouble for the rest of the day, okay?" she said with her usual sarcasm.
Haley just rolled her eyes. "Yeah, superhero — maybe leave the punching for the gym."
Jon smirked. "No promises."
The three of them peeled off toward their classes, leaving Jon standing alone with Jay and Gloria.
And here it comes.
Gloria wasted no time.
"Ay, mi niño!" She cupped Jon's face in her hands, looking him over like he'd barely survived a war zone. "Are you okay? You didn't hurt your hand when you hit that horrible man, did you?"
Jon chuckled under his breath. "I'm fine, Gloria. Really."
But that didn't stop her from checking anyway — inspecting his knuckles like a mother hen.
Jay stood a few feet away, arms crossed, but the faintest — faintest — hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"You know," Jay finally said, his voice low, "I knew you didn't start that fight. I told Gloria — you're not the kind of kid who goes looking for trouble."
Jon looked up.
Coming from Jay, that was basically a standing ovation.
"But," Jay added gruffly, "I'm proud of you for standing up for Dylan. You did the right thing."
Jon felt his chest tighten — not from nerves this time.
But from that rare kind of approval that didn't come easy.
Especially from guys like Jay.
"Thanks," Jon said simply.
No need for a long speech.
Jay wasn't that kind of guy.
Gloria, of course, wasn't done fussing. "And next time — you call us right away, okay? I don't care if it's three in the morning — you call us. I don't want to hear about you fighting in some party through a video like some telenovela!"
Jon smiled.
"Deal."
Jay clapped a hand on Jon's shoulder — firm, steady.
"Come on, kid," he said. "Let's get out of here before this school tries to blame you for something else."
Jon chuckled as they walked down the hall together.
Whatever storm came next?
He had them.
And that made all the difference.