Denise stepped forward.
“Move.”
Victoria lifted one hand.
“Stay out of this.”
“No.”
“I'm speaking to him.”
“You're speaking to a student.”
“Exactly.”
Jordan finally looked up.
His eyes met hers.
He swallowed.
Then he gripped both wheels.
He pulled himself slightly forward.
His voice was quiet.
“Then look me in the face and say I don't belong with my own team.”
Victoria stared at him.
For the first time, she didn't immediately respond.
Jordan's voice remained steady.
“Go ahead.”
Students around them became silent.
“Say it.”
Victoria's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Jordan looked directly at her.
“You said the wheelchair is the problem.”
“I said the delay is the problem.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You pointed at me.”
Victoria's face tightened.
“I pointed at the chair.”
“You looked at me.”
“I was looking at the situation.”
Jordan's hands tightened around the wheels.
“Then look at me now.”
Denise stood beside him.
“You don't have to explain yourself.”
Jordan nodded.
“I know.”
But he didn't look away.
“I want her to hear it.”
Victoria crossed her arms.
“You're being dramatic.”
Jordan smiled sadly.
“No.”
He looked toward the bus.
“I'm being honest.”
The doors remained open.
The ramp remained lowered.
The football team was inside.
Jordan could hear voices.
Laughter.
Someone shouting.
A helmet rolling against the floor.
They hadn't seen what was happening yet.
Victoria turned toward the driver.
“Close the door.”
Mr. Franklin didn't move.
“Ma'am, I'm not closing the door.”
“Why not?”
“Because the student hasn't boarded.”
“He's causing a delay.”
“He's scheduled to ride.”
“I said close the door.”
Mr. Franklin looked at Denise.
Then at Jordan.
Then at Victoria.
“No.”
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
“Excuse me?”
“I said no.”
“This is an HOA matter.”
Mr. Franklin frowned.
“What does an HOA have to do with a school bus?”
Victoria lifted her clipboard.
“The bus stop is adjacent to Westbrook Estates.”
“That doesn't give you authority over the bus.”
“It gives me authority over activity affecting the neighborhood.”
Denise almost laughed.
“You can't be serious.”
Victoria ignored her.
“Close the door.”
Mr. Franklin didn't move.
Victoria turned toward the bus.
“Fine.”
She stepped farther onto the ramp.
“I'll speak to the coach.”
Then she turned.
And that was when the sound began.
Heavy footsteps.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then several more.
Thump.