The Halo Effect (Cupid Chronicles) Read Online Free

before she went to the nursing home, her sanctuary in this crazy world.
    She grabbed the phone. “Hello? Miss Campbell’s room.”
    “Miss Campbell, we’ve got a call for you from the high school,” the front secretary’s monotone voice crackled through the line. “Want me to put it through?”
    Well, shoot fire! What now? She took in her classroom; no one seemed to be paying her any mind. All the kids were wrapped up playing with Brittany as they bounced a bright pink balloon around the room. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe it was something innocent. “Sure. Thanks.”
    There was a beep followed by a couple of clicks. “Hello?” she finally said when the line was clear.
    “Miss Campbell?”
    Uh, oh . Principal Lyman’s voice—nasally, like he had an eternal cold. This was not a good call. She tried to steel herself for bad news. “Yes.”
    “Hello. I’m calling about Tristan. I’ve got him here in my office.”
    Her heart rate sped up so fast, it nearly tied her tongue. “Is he all right?”
    “Well, he and another young man were caught fighting on the school grounds this morning. So he has a bit of a bloody lip and a few bruises, but the school nurse took a look at him and otherwise he’s fine.”
    Her jaw dropped open. “A fight?”
    “Yes, Miss Campbell. A fight.” He seemed to be mocking her. Yes, even your perfect little angel can do something bad like get into a fight.
    “What happened?”
    “It’s not clear at this point. It’s a bit of your son’s word against the other boy’s. But Tristan says the other boy called him some vulgar names and pushed him so he defended himself.”
    “Oh.”
    “But,” he interrupted, “either way, we do not tolerate violence of any kind here in our school. We are very clear about the rules in our Student Code of Conduct Handbook . So both boys will be disciplined accordingly.”
    Her heart rate picked up several more beats. “And exactly how will my son be punished for defending himself, Principal Lyman?”
    He cleared his throat. “He’s in ISS for the rest of today, then both boys will be suspended for the next three days.”
    She didn’t quite know how to respond. She was a teacher in the school district. He was a principal. She owed him due respect. But inside, she was a seething mother who wanted to stand up for her boy. She focused on her bulletin board display of the planets until she had some composure. The blue edging that was beginning to peel. Swirly Jupiter—like a brown gumball. Mars. Saturn’s rings.
    “Fine. Tell Tristan we’ll talk about it after school. Goodbye.” She hung up on the man and his nasally breathing. It made her feel better.
    As Braelyn drove home after school, she tried to mentally prepare herself to deal with Tristan. No easy feat. She was also giving serious thought to Brittany’s suggestion. She’d finally confided in her assistant about her concerns that Tristan’s behavior stemmed from his loser of a father. Scratch that. She was absolutely certain. But she just didn’t know how to help the poor kid. And that’s when Brittany had suggested trying to get him signed up with Big Buddies of Texas for a “big buddy” or male role model.
    “It would be good for him, don’t you think? His dad’s not around at all, right?”
    Brittany’s question had been innocent enough. No, his dad wasn’t around. Punk. And she couldn’t believe she’d never thought of anything like that herself. He seemed to enjoy the company of the older men at the nursing home, as much as he whined to the contrary. And going there was certainly good for her spirits. But, perhaps he needed someone a bit younger who could relate to the issues he was facing?
    Then, in a rebellious frenzy, her mind summoned a vision of the hottie next door. She firmly pushed the thought away. No way, no how was that guy big buddy material. He’d tackled her kid last week, for cryin’ out loud. But, the little devil on her shoulder