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"Cyberbullying is no laughing matter. Sending a cruel message to someone online can be just as hurtful as saying it to their face." the school's counselor, Counselor Blatt begins. "I'm not gonna name names, but the other day a mother called me up because her son was crying after some kids online made fun of his facial deformity."
Violet immediately knew who Counselor Blatt was talking about. A kid named Eli who has a scar on his lip from a cleft lip corrective surgery. She doesn't know him well but has been partnered with him before for projects.
"'I'm not gonna name names' my ass." Violet says under her breath. "She didn't have to say his name to make it obvious who she's talking about."
Aisha rolls her eyes and nods in agreement as Violet sends Eli a comforting smile.
"But today, our goal here is to make this school a safe space for all students." Counselor Blatt smiles.
"Yeah, right." Aisha scoffs.
"One last thing. While we're all looking forward to the Halloween dance, let's make sure our costumes are culturally sensitive." Counselor Blatt continues. "For example, instead of 'sexy nurse', maybe try gender-neutral hospital employee!"
Violet and Aisha laugh at their counselor's ridiculousness.
"Do you want to tell Sam our idea for our costumes now?" Aisha asks.
"I don't think she's gonna want to do it." Violet frowns.
"I think it's worth a shot." Aisha smiles. "Our Sam's still in there somewhere."
Violet sighs. "Okay."
Violet and Aisha scoot their chairs over to Sam at the 'Mean Girls' table.
"Hey! We got a great idea for our costumes this year!" Aisha says.
"Um-" Sam starts, but Aisha continues.
"We were thinking I go as oxygen, and you two go as hydrogens!" Aisha explains. "Then when people ask what we are, we do this." Aisha shakes her water bottle.
Sam smiles kindly as Yasmine laughs.
"What is that, some kind of dumb inside joke you guys have?" Yasmine says.
"It's not an inside joke." Violet rolls her eyes. "Water is made of two hydrogens and an oxygen. You know, H2O?"
