23rd Ju

f justice. "Reporting him to the principal would be fair, Grace. H

seat, agitated. "He threatened me, can't you see? Ho

nd. "I heard what you said about the threat, but that doe

ack, marching away. "I'm going to the l

r her, attempting to catch up. "I was listening. I'

ou're urging me to report him. Have you thou

. "You're right, Grace. No one can know. If you already

~

d book, engrossed in his task. He anticipated a day of students filing in with comp

pared to listen to more student c

to report some

t is

was smoking on schoo

ertain? And

ayden Alcott, the

fore clearing his throat and dismissing the student. He immediat

n? Did you smoke on

ring no denials. "Ye

hing on school grounds? You

ldn't have. While some teachers questioned your behavior, I defended you. There's a reason I made you a prefec

s, S

may leave my

race immediately. He seethed but managed to co

n finally confronted her. Slamming his fist agains

did y

blinked up at him. "I'm sorry,

"I told you not to report me to M

ffled, stammere

iar

e, Grace defended herself. "

ding her materials tumbling to the floor. "You're the only one who saw me ye

ith Nova. She froze, words escaping her. "I'm sorry." I

u're going to regret what you've done. This school

had seemingly betrayed her trust. Fuming, she wondered how Nov

•

1st Augu

l after graduation. Her diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia came seven months ago, and while the cancer was in st

ed concerned about her appearance and the reactions of her peers. Only a handful of indivi

missed her friend terribly, even though she held Nova responsible for the predicament s

apy, and her mother was urging her to undergo the treatment. In the hos

s going in here

tart chemotherapy,"

o Grace. "Would you like to step o

eciating the offer.

en minutes. With a promise to be back in time, Grace left

legs at the tender age of eight. While watching him, Grace noticed a man in a baseball cap, shorts, and a basketball jersey – the attire of th

e wondered why Mr. Bradley