During recess, Pauline was called to the principal's office. Just like he did with Andrew, Crocker began to question Pauline about Sherry. However, Pauline's answers were dubious.
"She doesn't interact with others in the class as if she thinks she's better than everyone else. She mucks around and throws paper balls in class, speaks back to me and even started to skip class recently. I've even heard rumours about her giving sexual favours to other students. Good grief, she is a bad influence on the other kids." She smoothly recalled.
Disgust welled up in Crocker's heart. He glared at the middle-aged woman wearing makeup thick enough to build a wall and spoke with a heavy voice. "You do not think that it's the result of bullying?"
"Bullying? I think that she is more likely to bully others." Pauline confidently replied.
With a dark face, Crocker silently flips over his phone and puts it on speaker mode. He had been hearing sounds coming from it since a while ago and could predict the mood of the gentlemen in the waiting room.
"Ma'am, you have noticed abnormalities in a student's behaviour but instead of consulting her about it, you have chosen to admonish and scold this student, choosing to believe in baseless rumours. As a teacher, you are unqualified." Jeffery's angry echoed.
"I agree." Crocker's voice was filled with suppressed anger and disappointment. "I do not feel that you represent our school ideals of inclusiveness and safety. Please leave this school. Goodbye."
Before Pauline could say anything in return, she was ushered out of Crocker's office. "I offer you my sincerest apologies, Mr Chen. I'm deeply ashamed of how my staff behaved and the silence of the school. We will resolve this matter in a way that you see fit."
"I wish for a clarification on the rumours in front of the whole school, I do not wish for my daughter's name to be dragged through the mud any longer. In addition, I would like for XXX to apologise to my daughter for his actions." Pings voice was firm but sad. He was aware that even if they refuted the rumours, Sherry would still be hated by the entire student body. They would disdain her for being a snitch and forcing the most popular kid in school to apologise.
In just a few days, a whole school assembly was held in the gym. The students were crammed into the gym and forced to sit on the ground as they waited for the teachers to give the usual boring speeches and whatnot. However, this time, something was different. The principal was standing in front of the mic and the teacher stood at the side solemnly.
"Ahem." Crocker cleared his voice and instantly the student body quieted down. "Is anyone here aware of our school motto?"
There were murmurs and after a while, a shy hand popped up. "Regardless of age, colour or background, here at Hilltop, we are all friends and family."
"Exactly, at Hilltop, we value each and every student, giving everyone a place to freely and happily study without a having to feel scared or embarrassed about who they are. Despite this, there seems to be many of you that go against our values and beliefs." Crocker stared at the students with a fierce gaze filled with disappointment.
"There has been a vicious rumour floating about the school these past few weeks. These careless and entirely false remarks had led to the mental and emotional wellbeing of a student compromised. This student is unable to hold their head up high, they are unable to freely speak and laugh from fear that they may be attacked by your ignorant words, accusing them of something they didn't even do. Tell me, is this what you call friendly and safe?"
There was silence. Some students displayed confusion due to not knowing of the rumours, but the majority felt attacked and guiltily hang their heads low.
Crocker continued after a brief pause. "This kind of behaviour is not welcomed in this school. I will not be calling names, but you know what you've done, so students directly involved, please visit me in my office after school today. I will be expecting you."
The students began to whisper again. They looked around, hoping to catch the culprit with their eyes. Most of them did, their stares concentrating on one individual.
"To the student whom have been harmed by this, I apologise. I apologise that you didn't feel safe at school. That you were harmed by the school that I was so proud of. I am sorry that we have broken your trust in us, I am sorry for our silence."
Sherry was standing by the door, tears soaking her face. Her parents standing beside her silently pat her shoulder and rubbed her back.
XXX and his friends apologised to Sherry that day, albeit reluctantly. But Sherry cared not for his apology. She didn't even send a sparing glance in his direction and went home with her parents.
After that, she moved schools and went to therapy. Influenced by the new environment and also the presence of Janine and Charlotte, Sherry was able to slowly but surely recover back into the bright and warm person that she was.
Her previous school underwent massive changes because of her as well. A few teachers were replaced and programs that were taught weekly were implemented. They taught students about the detriments and consequences of bullying on a person and other things that the school felt that students needed to know that wasn't included in the curricular.
However, the lesson that stuck to the students the most was the example left behind by Sherry. They saw that the boys involved in the incident, as well as the teachers, were all gone from the school and directly felt the severe consequences that bullying brought about.
Having recalled this memory of one of her darkest times, Sherry felt a little apologetic towards her parents. Her stubborn refusal to apologise melted and she felt an immense desire to go hug them right now. At times of hardship, they were her only light and supported her without any questions. Although it was true that they grew stricter towards her because of it, it was only because they were concerned and didn't want her to be sad again.
Sherry stood at her door and held the doorknob with renewed determination. She resolutely twisted it and walked out, ready to speak to them. Coincidently, both An and Ping were also standing there, ready to talk to her.
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Author: Dylan! The readers are expecting you!
Dylan:...Do I really have to do this?
Author: I thought you wanted to show up.
Dylan: I wasn't expecting it to be like this...
Author: Oh come on, what's the point of having abs if you're not going to show them?
Dylan...[Shyly lifts up shirt] There, I did it! Happy?!
Sherry:........[bloody nose gif]......abs