Zeke and Pattie

Chapter Fifteen: Pattie

After a few days, I revealed to the principal of the school what the chick and her friends did. They immediately took action and called them in. I had full proof to back me up because of the security cameras hooked up throughout the entire school. It baffled me that they had not noticed once that Zeke was ever bullied or physically touched.

Right here, right now my gut was telling me to reveal everything about Zeke's situation. A real friend would do it, but something was holding me back. I was being a coward and not standing up for Zeke.

My lip quivered at the guilt I held for both sides.

Going behind Zeke's back and exposing something he's hidden for so long. I also know I should have said something from the moment I had suspicions. Zeke would have ran away if I did that. I needed to gain his trust, guarantee that someone would be there for him.

I wasn't out to break his trust but, he would certainly feel backstabbed if I told someone. He was extremely threatened and embarrassed when I caught him being a lackey for Charlie. The principal suspended the girls for three days each. It was better than nothing and they were to be kept away from me. He promised that he was going to have the school staff monitor the cameras better. The girls were deported from the office, but I remained sitting in the chair as guilt ate away at me.

Tears swelled up as I held it back, getting all choked up. The principal, Mr. Kirkland, crouched down to my level and spoke to me.

"Ms. Clarence you won't have to worry about them again ok? We won't let anyone in our school go mistreated. Thank you for being brave and coming forward and giving my staff an eye opener about activities like this going on in the halls. If they mess with you again, let me know immediately alright?" He tried to be comforting.

"I know that Mr. Kirkland. I know I'm protected here, but that's not it. Or whom I'm concerned about." Muttering under my shaky breath. Mr. Kirkland seemed to catch that.

"Who? Are you afraid or your parents knowing-"He paused as a shook my head 'no'

"-If that's not the case then, is it someone else who's being troubled like you?" My heart shattered at that. Moments away from being able to help Zeke once and for all. I broke down, overwhelmed and confused with emotions.

I nodded my head 'yes'. Revealing that I knew someone else in trouble. "I've seen someone who's been facing worse troubles than I. It continued for a long time." I managed to cough up. Ashamed that I didn't come sooner.

Mr. Kirkland noted all of this and the shame I was feeling. "Do you know how long this has been going on? Who is it? I need you to tell me everything you can Pattie. You're a good person and I'm proud you are coming forward. Take a deep breath and tell me one thing at a time. You're not going to be in trouble ok? I know you want to help this person. The only way I can be certain is if you help piece things together that you know. It can make my search on the cameras a lot easier as well, ok?" I nodded to Mr. Kirkland.

I took a deep breath and calmed down. "I first saw it on my first day of school. Not knowing the person at first, I was in the tenth grade. Just arriving at the school in the fall. I believe it's been going on for a long time." I revealed.

Mr. Kirkland was writing everything down, as it was extremely important to know everything I could provide. I paused with worry. "Mr. Kirkland, I'm worried that if I can identify who it is that they are going to act accordingly and might do something reckless if everything is brought onto them at once. I can vouch for that. This has been prolonged for long amounts of time. You need to approach the person slowly or else they'll get scared off and may get hurt." I cried out.

"If that's what you suggest then I'll make sure to approach this person at a reasonable pace, but we both know that if it doesn't get stopped quickly that things can worsen. Maybe they will hurt themselves if they don't get the proper help they need. I can't take that risk and let it go on too long but, I'll approach in as gentle of a manner I can. Thank you for expressing your concerns." He stated. I knew it was realistic, what my principal was saying.