Page 81 of Drifting

“They would start lies about me, steal my clothes in gym class, and put trash in my locker,” she lists.

Peter shakes his head. Here he thought he had the perfect daughter, but he has a bully.

“Girls, what do you have to say to this?” Mr. Sullivan asks the girls, tapping his chin with the pen.

“She’s lying,” Carrie states confidently. “She’s been jealous of us since the beginning. Paige tried out for cheerleading, but she didn’t make the cut, so she came up with these stories to get us in trouble.”

I shoot a furious glance her way. “There’s one problem with that, Carrie. I was sitting right beside her when Liv gave Paige a list of your homework for the week. You weren’t here, and she told Paige to have it done before you got back,” I say matter-of-factly.

Carrie growls at me.

“Ms. Steel, you’re in Mr. Davis’ English, correct?” Mr. Sullivan asks Carrie.

“Yes.”

“So, you had the same homework as Ms. Winters did?” he verifies.

Carrie pulls her shoulders back. “Yes, sir.”

“Nick brought in Shelby’s computer, so I can verify which essay is really hers,” Mr. Sullivan reminds her. “It’s the essay which you turned in as your own. Can you explain this, Ms. Steel?”

Carrie says nothing, just stares off to the side.

“Ms. Webb, did you know any of this?” Mr. Sullivan asks the principal.

She sucks in a breath, touching her chest and acting shocked. “No, of course not. I would have stopped it. All I know is that they complained about having to keep a high GPA.”

“Keeping a seventy-five is not high. It’s a C. You didn’t find it strange when their grades went from a low C to an A?” he questions, leafing through papers.

“I need to let you know the school board will look into this and your conduct with Ms. Winters as well,” Peter states.

Her fists ball as she raises her chin. “I don’t see why the school board needs to be involved. I just look at their grade at the end of the week to make sure they’re at the right GPA,” she retorts.

“That’s the problem, Martha. If you had spent some time and looked, you’d see where their grades have gone up suddenly in the ninth grade. That should have alerted you that something was wrong. Now, this is where I have a problem. There’s no proof that Paige did their homework, yet. As of right now, it’s only hearsay,” Mr, Sullivan says, leaning back in his chair. “As for bullying, we have a no-tolerance policy here at school. We will suspend each of you for a week, starting today. Your parents have been notified and are waiting for you.”

Carrie’s face turns crimson as she shrieks, “What about this Friday’s game?”

“No cheerleading while you’re on suspension,” Mr. Sullivan states firmly.

Once again, the girls go crazing.

“It’s the first game of the year! We’ve been practicing all summer for this!” Carrie’s eyes jump between Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Webb.

He raises his voice. “If I find out that you’ve bullied anyone else, there will be no more cheerleading, and you’ll be expelled from school. Do I make myself clear?” His eyes pierce each girl.

“Yes, sir,” they say together.

“You may go,” Mr. Sullivan dismisses them. “Your parents are at the main entrance.”

All three girls stand with their heads down and leave the room.

“Thanks, Greg. I think you did the right thing. We better collect Hannah.” Peter glances at me. “Shelby, are you staying here to finish out the day?”

“If I can?” I ask, peering at Mr. Sullivan.

“Yes, you may.” He checks his watch. “It’s lunchtime, so we finished at the right time.”

“Shelby, I want to apologize for not looking into your paper more and just accepting what Mr. Davis told me,” Ms. Webb says in a voice that clearly states she’s not sorry, she just figures it will look good to apologize.

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