Chapter 57

“Mr. Lee, Charlotte says she didn’t bring the snake. Maybe it’s all just a misunderstanding,” Eleanor said, trying to keep things calm. “Can’t we just let it go?”
“Let it go?” Bald Lee looked like he was about to explode. Being called out by Charlotte in front of everyone had clearly gotten under his skin. “A student got bitten. How are we supposed to let that go? Ms. Adams, you’re still young. You have no idea what a problem student can do to a class.” He shot Charlotte a sharp glare. “If you let her stay and she causes even bigger trouble next time, are you taking responsibility? Is the school?”
His words were harsh and direct. Charlotte glanced at Eleanor, who looked uncomfortable, then lifted her eyes, her voice slow and steady. “I already told you, I didn’t bring the snake.”
Bald Lee snorted. “You say you didn’t. Prove it.” He clearly didn’t think she could.
Charlotte didn’t flinch. “If I prove it, you’ll apologize for accusing me. Deal?”
Bald Lee’s face twitched, his big body stiffening. He grunted, “And if you can’t, you’re out. Right now.”
“Fine,” Charlotte said, her eyes turning cool.
Without another word, she walked over to the security guard, reached right into the
bag he was holding, and calmly pulled out the snake.
The guard’s eyes went wide. “What are you doing?”
Charlotte held the snake by its head and walked straight toward Bald Lee. He practically tripped over his own feet backing away, his legs shaking. Seeing him so scared, Charlotte almost laughed. She gave the snake a little shake. “Hope you’re not about to go back on your word, Mr. Lee.”
Everyone stared in shock as she reached into her pocket, pulled out a small black sticker, and stuck it on the snake’s head. Then she turned and headed for the door, the snake dangling from her hand.
Right then, Andrew and Parrish strolled back from lunch. They stopped dead in their tracks, faces going pale.
“Oh my god,” Parrish yelped, darting behind Andrew and peeking out, his whole body tense at the sight of the snake.
Andrew backed up too, biting his lip, his eyes locked on Charlotte’s calm face. For a second, he wondered if she was even real. Was she really just a regular girl?
Charlotte didn’t say a word to them. She walked outside, down the steps, and tossed the snake into a bush.
Bald Lee, still flustered, rushed after her and barked, “Charlotte, you’re destroying the evidence! What if it bites another student?”
Eleanor hurried over as well, but instead of scolding Charlotte, she immediately checked if Charlotte was okay. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Charlotte said, giving her a
quick smile. She pulled out her phone and opened a tracking app. The screen showed a blinking dot by the east gate’s flower beds. “MS. Adams could you get a few more security guards? There might be more than one snake.”
Eleanor hesitated, not sure how Charlotte knew, but seeing how serious she looked,
she nodded and had someone go call for help.
Two more guards showed up, tools in hand.
Charlotte’s eyes glinted as she nodded toward the flower beds. “The snakes are under those flowers.”
Bald Lee rubbed his thinning hair and stood on his toes, trying to see what she was up to.
“It’s pretty simple,” Charlotte
explained “When snakes feel
threatened, they go back to their
nest. If we find a nest, that proves the snake wandered into the classroom by itself.”
Eleanor looked at Charlotte, who stood off to the side, her eyes dark and steady. There was something about her, a quiet strength that made everyone stop and pay attention.