ANIMA

15. Accountability

Tomas

I spent my weekend either cooped up in my room or in the library reading. Because of this I haven’t heard my classmates’ opinions on the whole Quinn situation. It’s only now as I stand in the breakfast line on a Monday morning that I hear bits and pieces of what they think.

Cassie and her friends are having an unnecessarily loud conversation about how the “poor thing” messed around and got caught and how “unfortunate” it is that she decided to take the coward’s way out instead of owning up to her mistakes. Coming from a group of people that have no sense of accountability, their whole conversation is laughable at best.

Ava and Kenzie’s conversation is the complete opposite. They sound very worried about her and wonder how they can get an update on her condition when her mom won’t say anything.

On my way to my first class of the day, I overhear a bunch of lacrosse players including Brad talking about Quinn.

“I still can’t believe the reason Ice Quinn always turned everyone down is because she is into old men.”

“I know right. College guys I can maybe understand but this is ridiculous.”

“She always had her nose up in the air around us like she was so much better than us when the only reason she could even attend here is because of her stepdad.”

“Right! And then she turns around and stabs him in the back by seducing his friend. Ungrateful!”

“If you ask me, she did us all a favor by being a dear and taking her trash self out…well at least she tried to.” Brad adds and they all agree, laughing like he just told the funniest joke.

I personally haven’t met Quinn so I can’t speak on what kind of person she was...I mean is. But I don’t think she should be getting this much hate just because she turned down a few people.

She is allowed to say no.

All of this is on my mind as I enter class.

For some reason I always forget Trent is in this class up until the moment I get to our seats.

“Hey”

“Hey, Tom. What do you think of ANIMA’s latest expose?” he seems in a better mood today.

I guess he had a good weekend.

“It’s was a bit much, don’t you think?” I reply.

“A bit much? Tom, they are providing a public service.”

“A public service? Is that what we are calling invasion of privacy now?”

“You don’t know these people, Tom. The things they get away with just because of their parents' money. They are so full of it and any mistakes they make never see the light of day. So I for one am glad that there is someone holding them accountable for their actions.” Trent replies.

“Being accountable is great and all, Trent. But is that really what all this is about? Are they really doing it for the greater good? There is a huge difference between exposing cheating amongst students and exposing a relationship between a student and an adult. Quinn isn’t even 18 yet so those pictures are illegal. And what if she wasn’t a willing participant and that’s why she tried to end things? Would you still believe ANIMA is the hero in this story?”

“You only think that way because you don’t know her. Quinn wouldn’t be pressured into doing anything she didn’t want to. After all, she was able to easily turn down every guy that dared to approach her. Besides even if someone would have tried that, she could have just used her money and influence to get herself out of such a situation.” He says.