Chapter 16 - Jordan
Jordan had grown his hair longer since leaving school.
He kept his hood up even indoors.
His mother, Mrs. Lee, carried a folder so thick it barely closed.
“We saw the news,” she said. “Jordan said we had to come.”
Jordan sat across from Grace.
“I thought nobody believed me.”
Grace slid the spreadsheet toward him.
“You weren’t the only one.”
He read the names.
His eyes filled.
Then he opened the folder.
Inside were emails.
Screenshots.
Medical bills.
A photograph of a cracked front windshield.
Jordan spoke quietly.
“After I reported Brittany, someone started leaving notes at our house.”
Mrs. Lee added, “Then my car was damaged.”
“Did you report it?” Officer Reed asked.
“To the school. Ms. Crane told us not to make accusations without proof.”
Jordan pulled out one final page.
“But Brittany texted me that night.”
The screenshot read:
YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
Grace looked at Officer Reed.
“This wasn’t school bullying anymore.”
“No,” he said. “It wasn’t.”
The state investigators collected copies.
By evening, the district placed Ms. Crane on administrative leave.
Charles Vale was removed from the school foundation pending investigation.
Brittany and Kayla were suspended.
Grace’s disciplinary case was formally dismissed.
It should have ended there.
But Grace knew endings did not come that clean.
The next morning, she returned to school.
Students stared when she entered the cafeteria.
Some looked embarrassed.
Some looked grateful.
A few clapped.
Grace hated that most of all.
She just wanted breakfast.
She sat at the same end of the same table.
Then someone placed a tray across from her.
Brittany.
Grace stood immediately.
Brittany raised both hands.
“I’m not here to fight.”
“You’re suspended.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
May you like
Brittany’s eyes looked hollow.
“Because my dad told me to lie again.”
