I knew that going to school today would be offbeat comparing to the other days where I would walk into the school alone and no one would look my way or even say two words to me. However, today I walk into the school with Andy and Cole by my side. There are a few eyes on me, but Andy and Cole stand close by. I feel like they are my bodyguards, it is laughable. They are there just in case someone has something to say to me about the Alchemy matter. Especially Andy.
I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable with Andy and Cole being my actual friends. I am so used to being solo and keeping my head down. It is an extreme change for me, but I am trying to get used to the friends. Overall, it feels nice. Also, with the words of encouragement my father gave me earlier this morning. I am starting to feel a little more uplifted than ever. I should have spoken to him about this matter years ago, then maybe....just maybe I would not be going through what I am going through now. But, as my Grandma used to tell me, 'we go through things for a reason'. I am just wondering what the reasoning is behind this.
We sit at the breakfast table and Andy informs, "Alchemy should be here later on today after her muscle therapy around 11 am."
"Science for me," Cole says. "What are you going to do?" He turns to me.
"No clue yet, but I am thinking and have to make my choice made by the end of the day," I tell him as I make eye contact with a few students, they look away not expecting me to look at them and go back to whispering about whatever. At this point, I am a little tired of my shy posture.
The bell rings and the students disburse to their classes along with Cole, Andy, and myself. Some students exchange a few nasty words with me, the usual. I do not hang my head; I keep it up, walking straight with a smile on my face. My creative writing class is first, I sit in my normal seat and Cole sits behind me.
When class starts, I did not really pay much attention because my mind is registering how real this whole scenario is with Alchemy. I really did lose my best friend to some foolish boy and her hatred for me for whatever reason.
Mr. Yakcori passes out a test prompt for writing. "Alright, I want you to read the prompt carefully and write what you think will happen next. Use details, please. Description. This is a test to see how many of you have been actually paying attention in my class." Of course, the majority of the class groans. He hushes them. He stops at the front of the room after passing the papers out. "Begin."
While everyone else including myself scribbles on his or her papers. I still have a lot on my mind about what I wanted to do. I knew this was going to bug me all day; I wanted to go ahead and get my choice made and hand it to the principal before school is up. But, my choice has to be rational and made not just for myself but for the others that are being bullied silently.
When I finish, I read over my paper to make sure it sounds right, mainly to see if it would make sense to Mr. Yakcori.
After altering a few things I am satisfied with my work, I raise my hand and wave it wildly to get Mr. Yakcori's attention.
He is engrossed in some kind of book at the front of the classroom while sitting on the stool.
He finally looks up, "Yes?"
I hold out my paper and he smiles and takes it. "You're going to the office?"
I nod and gather my things. My defense is the talk of the school, anyone who does not already know what happened; either was not listening or paying attention.
"Good luck," Cole whispers.
I smile and leave the room.
I am sitting in Mr. Ethics' office waiting for him to get out of a Parent-Teacher meeting. I still do not know what I am going to do, but I do not want to be thinking about this until the end of the day. Mr. Ethics enters the office and seems surprised to see me sitting there. A disgruntled parent has her child by the collar of his shirt as they exit Mr. Ethics' office.
"Ms. Winters, I did not expect to see you until this afternoon. Come on in."
I get up, follow him into his office, and close the door behind me.
He wipes his face with a partially wet napkin then sits at his desk. "Well. . ."
"I have made my choice," I say putting my bag on the floor and searching for a sheet of paper. I wrote down what happened and the torment I endured from Alchemy and a few other students. Finding it, I hand it to him. "I am sorry that I am here a little earlier than we planned. But I felt like I couldn't wait until the end of the day with this hanging over my head."
He takes it and scans over it.
"It is quite alright, Sirrah." Then really reads it. He clears his throat, "So, you want to take her to court?"
He sounds so unsure about my decision as if he wanted me to choose the easier path. That would be me being suspended for self-defense. That is not what I wanted. That is not what I deserved.
I nod, "Yes, I want to also start my own club outside the school."
He arches his brow, "A club of your own?"
"It is in progress right now." I let him know.
Between Andy and me, we actually have made up the Anti-Bullying Club. Or....err...that is what we are calling it until we can think of a better name for it.
He nods. "Okay, I don't see why not about the club business. But, why court? She is your best-."
"She was my best friend." I interrupt him emphasizing 'was'. "Past tense. Also, a friend does not do what she has done and did."
He chuckles, but I see nothing funny about the matter. "Well, I see you have grown a backbone, Sirrah."
"Do you still have the witness sheet?" I ask him, shifting slightly in my chair. A backbone, yes. More than likely.
"I do." He reaches for the sheet. "Do you know how this works? The court?"
"No, I do not. But, I don't want her walking around here still trying to pick at me or anyone else."
He looks at me in disbelief of what I am saying, then hands me the sheet. I think that he never expect I would be the one to step up and take this chance. With me not liking too much attention. If that is the case, I can understand his initial shock.
I take it and look at the list. It is longer than I thought it would have been. At least 20 students saw and heard what happened. I did not think people would actually step up and be on my side about this.
"Yeah. So, moving onto the paperwork of it all." Mr. Ethics throws out there.
"Paperwork?" I look up from the list to listen to what he has to say. I had no clue there would be paperwork involved in all of this.
"Yes, it is not much." He pulls out a few folders, takes on a page out of each, and places it in front of me. "The first page requires your first middle and last name and who you are taking to court."
I take out my gel pen and put my name and Alchemy's name, my hands begin to sweat and shake. I am really doing this.
"Okay," he pulls the next sheet out. "This one is the 'why' you are taking her to court."
I quickly fill out the sheet; it is a little painful because Alchemy has been my best friend and my only friend for years. Now in my life, she is not a friend, she is a nobody to me except just another bully. A bully that was disguised to be my best friend. A shell of who use to be my best friend.
"Perfect." He moves on to the last page. "This is for your court date. Sign and date." He takes out a copy and hands it to me.
I take it and look it over. The court date is April 15 at 8:30 am. Personally, I never thought this day would happen at all. The day I would have a real problem with Alchemy or just a real problem period. I only had two days to get everything I needed. I have a month to get everything I needed for this day.
I sigh folding the paper up and stand up with my bag. "Thank you, Mr. Ethics."
"You are welcome, Sirrah. I hope everything works in your favor." He tells me smiling.
The bell rings for second period. I exit the office to find Cole and Andy waiting for me by the office door.744Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNyQ5pxlY7
