That gave the guys at least fifteen minutes to clean up everything in my bathroom and escape the scene before the guards even thought about organizing the investigation and campus search.
So simple and yet so unbelievable, according to all of the adults involved.
“Anyway, that’s why I’m covered in scratches,” I said to Ms. Flores after recounting the whole story. “Some of the hallway bullies have been going around telling everyone it’s self-harm, though, as if it’s totally okay to make fun of people who are really going through that sort of stuff.”
She slowly shook her head. “This is all terrible to hear, Laney.”
“I understand if you don’t believe me,” I replied, lowering my gaze to my lap. “I know some of the stuff sounds crazy, and Headmaster Sanders didn’t believe my side at all.”
Her lips tightened. “I believe every word you said,” she replied. “I wish it really was some sort of waking nightmare you experienced on Friday, but after some of the things I’ve seen at this school over the last three years, I know it wasn’t. I’m barely even surprised that it happened.”
My brows shot up. “You really believe me?”
“Yes. One hundred percent.”
“Why?”
“I’ve seen a lot of bullying on this campus before. Never against a scholarship student, like I told you when you first arrived here, but still… a lot. Some of these kids are budding psychopaths, and the administration does absolutely nothing to stop them. Even if the teachers want to help, they can’t. They’re basically powerless.”
“Why?”
“Perhaps powerless isn’t the right word,” she said, forehead creasing. “It’s more that they don’t want to lose their high-paying jobs. There’s nowhere else that pays $150,000 a year for high school teachers, after all. So they turn a blind eye. If they don’t, the students and their families complain and get them fired.”
My shoulders slumped. “Great. So it’s just like Adam and Trina told me, then. No one will help me.”
Ms. Flores shook her head. “Not necessarily. I can try to help you,” she said. “I’ve intervened in bullying cases before.”
“What happened when you did that?” I asked, brows puckering.
“Long story.” She sighed and folded her hands on the desk. “Do you know a student named Jessica Fitzgerald? She’s a senior like you.”
An icy knot tightened in my stomach. “Unfortunately, I do,” I muttered.
“Around six months ago, a sophomore came to me complaining about bullying. Jessica was the ringleader. In my position, I have the power to discipline students, so I gave her a suspension, and all of her friends received month-long Saturday detentions. I also made them all sign up for an anti-bullying seminar with a therapist.”
“I bet that went down well.”
She smiled ruefully. “I got fired. So to answer your earlier question: that’s what happened.”
“Wait, what?” My eyes widened. “How are you still here if you got fired?”
“Well, Jessica complained to her parents, who complained to Headmaster Sanders. He launched an inquiry, which in these cases essentially means you’ll be fired within a week for going against the school’s unofficial ‘turn a blind eye’ policy. Luckily for me, my older sister is a top lawyer in this state, so I had her step in and help me. Turns out they can’t let me go for any reason other than misconduct until I finish my contract, and that doesn’t end until the middle of this school year.”
“So as soon as it ends, you’re gone?”
She sighed. “Unfortunately, yes. But until then, I can do as much as possible to help students like you. The administration can’t exactly fire me twice, can they?”
“They could try to pin something on you to prove misconduct. Then they could force you out before the end of your contract.”
She casually waved a hand. “Sure, they could try that, but they haven’t yet,” she said. “They’re probably worried my sister would find some way to get back at them. They’ve got access to some of the best lawyers, but she still runs circles around all of them.”
“So you’ll really help me?”
“Of course,” she replied, nodding fervently. “I’ll do whatever I can.”
I swallowed hard. “Thank you,” I said softly.
“Can you start by giving me some names?”