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Owen was one of those children who tried very, very hard not to get into trouble. He liked rules, he liked being right, and he liked everything to go just so. Finding himself in the principal's office was so far off of the list of things he was okay with that he was having trouble not crying.

Instead, he sulked. Fingers clenched tightly around the book he had brought with him Owen stared determinedly at nothing, wanting nothing more than for this to be over ---- and for the boy he had gotten in trouble with to go. away.

Daniel was, without a doubt, the most obnoxious, rude, terrible person Owen had ever met. He didn't remember what the somewhat older boy had said, only that it had been rude, and he'd gotten upset, and things had escalated... and he'd hit Daniel over the head with the book he held in his hands.

It hadn't been particularly hard - the other boy had a head made of steel - but it had been enough to spawn a true (if brief) fight, and now they had both been pulled into the principal's office for a 'discussion'.

"This is your fault," he hissed at the older boy, staring determinedly at the wall. He'd never gotten in trouble like this before! Never! So obviously all of the blame rested on the irritating boy waiting with him.

"I'm not a donkey," Owen hissed, fingering the book threateningly - then setting it aside at a look from the secretary. "And you started it, because you were being mean." And being mean counted!

"It wasn't," Owen ground out, gritting his teeth, "your spot. The library is for everybody." He huffed and folded his arms well aware that his attempt to ignore the other boy wasn't working at all, but determined to keep trying anyway.

"And I didn't see your name on 'nything anyway."

He paused, then stuck his tongue out at Daniel.

"Dummy."

"Your bag was in the other chair," Owen said, frowning. "The one I wasn't using!" He wasn't giving up. No matter how many counterarguments the other boy came up with.

"...And I'm not stupid!"

"Why would I move it?" Owen asked, scowling. "I didn't want your chair. I was in my own."

He, too, looked to the secretary. Was no help forthcoming?

... Didn't look like it.

"You're lying," Owen whispered, genuine tears rising to his eyes as he took in Daniel's words with utter horror. "You're lying, and just to--- to ---" He couldn't finish his sentence, and looked in the secretary's direction. She seemed to be watching now, but still not reacting - was she taking notes or something? Or just used to this kind of problem?

"I didn't do anything to you you ---- bully!"

"And lie to get out of trouble," Owen countered, frowning at Daniel. "Lying is wrong. Besides you're picking on me right now!"

Why would anyone voluntarily be wrong!?! At the rate, it looked like the boys might end up coming to blows again, and this alone prompted the secretary (maybe she was a temp?) to look up.

"One more word out of either of you and you're both going home."

Sent home?!? But Mama would get called in from work, then, and --- Biting his lip and going quiet instantly, Owen dug into his backpack and pulled out a book to read. But the older boy's kicking was getting annoying, and he frowned severely, hoping Daniel would get the hint and knock it off.