Loving Mr. Collins

Chapter 7

Christina
She has to be bluffing. She won't throw away six years of friendship if I report Mr. Collins for his crimes. He must've really done a number on her. Violet looks at me.
"We could've handled that better."
"It doesn't matter. We have to report him. He can't get away with this."
"And lose her over it?"
"She's bluffing. Even if she's upset at first, she'll realize that we're doing this for her own good. And everyone else in the school."
"I doubt she'll see it that way."
"Look, do what you want, but I'm telling Gonzalez."
"Go ahead. I'm going to class."
"Wow. Okay. I'll talk to you later."
She nods silently and walks off. I head to the principal's office and walk in. The lady at the desk smiles at me.
"Hi, dear. Shouldn't you be on your way to class?"
"I'm afraid it'll have to wait. I have something really important to discuss with the principal."
"Okay. Go on in."
I head into his office. He looks up from his computer.
"Hello, Miss..."
"Christina Richards."
"Nice to meet you."
"You too. I wish it was under better circumstances."
"What's wrong?"
"I have to report a crime. I just found out that Mr. Collins, the English teacher, has been having an affair with one of his students."
His eyes widens with horror.
"That's a serious offense. Do you know who the student is?"
I gulp.
"Yes, sir. It's my best friend, Abigail Ramos. I know that she'll never gather the courage to report it, so I took it upon myself."
He nods.
"I understand. Thank you for coming to me about this. I'll take it from here."
"Thank you, sir."
He looks at his watch.
"You're running a little late. I'll write you a pass for your next class."
I accept the pass and head to my fifth period. The entire time, I feel anxious about what's about to happen, but I know that I did the right thing. So why doesn't it feel like it? Sure enough, Mr. Collins is asked to report to the principal's office. It's during the passing period between fifth and sixth period that I see him getting escorted out of the building in handcuffs. After they leave, everyone goes to class. Abby glares at me angrily and heads to her sixth period.
"Abby," I call.
As promised, she doesn't say a word to me or Violet when we talk to her. She keeps her distance for the next few months. For her birthday in March, I give her a necklace that she's always wanted. She takes it, stomps on the small box, and throws it away in a nearby trash can.
"Wow. She's really mad," Violet says.
"I know. I thought she would've calmed down by now. At least, a little bit, but it's like it happened yesterday. I feel bad even though I shouldn't."
"I do too. I know you did the right thing but I really hate how it affected our friendship. I miss her."
"Me too. That's why I got her the necklace. I was hoping it would be an olive branch."
"What should we do?"
I sigh.
"We'll just give her some space, I guess. She'll talk to us when she's ready."
"Yeah. I guess you're right."
We go to our classes and proceed to give her space for a while.