Chapter 131

“Show them in, quick.”
Mr. Baker sprang up from his chair and ushered the two officials from the school board into his office. He looked puzzled as he asked, “Is something wrong?”
“We received an anonymous tip-off,” one of the officials said. “It says a student named Dennis at Vanguard High School has been bullying another student, Shirley, for quite some time. The report is serious. We’ve been sent to investigate.”
“What?” Mr. Baker couldn’t believe it. This just didn’t add up.
In the past three years, Dennis had never once been in trouble. Both he and Shirley were in Class A and had been classmates since the beginning of high school. If Shirley was really being bullied, how could the teachers and the school not know?
“There must be some mistake,” Ronald, Dennis’s physics teacher, jumped in. “Dennis is a great kid. He’s always been respectful and hardworking. There’s no way he would do something like that.”
If anyone had problems, it was Shirley. She’d been caught cheating before, and she kept to herself. Nobody in class really talked to her. If she was being left out, Ronald thought, maybe Shirley was the reason why.
The official holding the evidence didn’t look impressed. His face turned cold. “We’ll get to the bottom of it after we ask some questions. Mr. Baker, could you please call Shirley and Dennis in? We need to speak with them.”
Just perfect. Everything had to happen today.
Before Mr. Baker could say anything, a girl in the corner lifted her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m Shirley.”
Dennis was still standing there, frozen. His face had gone pale and he couldn’t bring himself to speak. He wasn’t the only one who gave Shirley a hard time, but every time he did, he made sure nobody else was around. No witnesses, no evidence. Even if someone reported it, what could the school board really do?
“That’s Dennis,” Mr. Baker explained quietly, glancing at the boy. “And as it happens, Dennis’s father is here today, too.”
Henry Dean, suddenly in the
spotlight, ducked his head, his face tight with shame. He knew exactly what his son was like. If Dennis was accused of bullying, chances were it was true Right now, he wanted nothing more than to disappear.
“The students involved, their parent, and the teachers will stay,” the official said, setting a black briefcase on the desk and pulling out a laptop. His face had turned serious. “Everyone else, please step out.”
Eleanor motioned for Andrew, Parrish, and Charlotte to leave. “You guys can go back to class now.” The fight from earlier had basically been resolved. All that was left was to decide on the consequences.
“Okay.” Andrew and Parrish nodded and started for the door. After a couple of steps, they realized Charlotte wasn’t following. They stopped and looked back. “Charlotte, come on.”
“I’m not leaving.” Charlotte’s long lashes fluttered as she lifted her eyes, her gaze icy and calm. She spoke slowly, her voice cool.
Eleanor frowned, trying to reassure her. “I know you’re worried about Shirley, but I’m here. You don’t have to stay.”
“Charlotte, the school board is here. Can’t you behave for once?” Ronald snapped. He was furious. His best student was about to get thrown out, and Charlotte looked like she was just here for the drama. That made him even angrier.
“I’m one of the people involved,” Charlotte replied. Her hands hung at her sides, her eyes sharp and colde Her tone was like a chill in the air. “I’m the anonymous tipster. I’m the one who sent the photos, videos, and audio recordings to the school board.”
Everyone stared at her, stunned.
“What?” Eleanor’s voice shot up, disbelief written all over her face.