My gaze drops to the floor.
“This is a Christian school,” he continues. “We don’t just teach academics here. We teach character. Integrity. The power of our words.” His voice is calm, but each word lands like a heavy blow. “Scripture is very clear about the harm gossip can cause. It divides people. It damages trust. It isolates.”
A lump rises in my throat.He’s right. He’s so right.“I know,” I whisper.
He studies me for a moment, not unkindly. “Do you?”
I nod, faster this time. “I do now.”
Silence stretches between us, thick and uncomfortable.
“I’m not questioning whether you feel remorse,” he says after a moment. “I can see that you do. But remorse doesn’t erase impact. Several students must have been hurt by the things that were posted. Friendships were surely strained. And the environment here at school was definitely disrupted.”
Each sentence feels like a weight pressing down on my chest. “I understand.”
He exhales slowly. “Because of that, you’ll be suspended for one week. You’ll also be expected to meet with the school counselor when you return. Not as continued punishment, but for guidance. We want to see growth from you, Rue. Not just regret, but changes.”
My eyes sting. I blink quickly, willing myself not to cry. “Yes, sir.”
He softens at the sight of my tears. “You’re not a bad student. But this was a serious lapse in judgment.”
I nod again, because there’s nothing else to add.
“Alright,” he says. “You’re dismissed.”
I stand on shaky legs, murmuring a quiet ‘thank you’ before turning toward the door. And as I step into the hallway, the weight of it all finally settles fully on my shoulders, and the stares from other students are instant. They’re hot and humiliating, and my vision blurs at the edges. I blink the oncoming tears away, but one escapes anyway.
When I get home, Mom is already waiting in the living room. Her arms are crossed, her phone is in hand, and a woman I’ve never seen before is sitting stiffly on the couch with a pastel tote bag that saysGlow & Renew.
“Sit,” Mom says.
I do.
“I just got off the phone with the principal.” She presses her lips together. “You’ve been posting as that Little Birdie gossiper? Are you serious, child? This is not what I meant when I told you to be bold, Rue Chanel Sullivan.”
I swallow. “I know. I’m sorry.”
The woman on the couch perks up. “Hi, sweetie! I’m just here to show your mom how she can reverse fine lines naturally?—”
“Not now, Brenda,” Mom snaps, not taking her eyes off me.
I blink.
Mom sighs, rubbing her temple. “Go to your room. We will discuss this later.”
I don’t argue. I just go.
In the silence of my room, I let the events of this morning replay in my mind. I can’t help but wonder if Ezra heard my name on the loudspeaker, or what he thinks happened when I got called to the office. I haven’t checked my phone yet, andwhen I lift it to my face, I see several messages from him asking what happened and if I’m okay.
Me
got suspended for being LB
Ezra
seriously?
Me
