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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."
Frankie frowned at Counselor Blatts impromptu speech during lunch. She turned to Aisha beside her, and raised a single brow. Knowing what she was silently asking, Aisha shook her head and held back a laugh. "Oh, this one isnt about me this time."
Frankie's eyebrows furrowed. Most of the time, the woman's anti-bullying speeches were about Aisha and the comments she would get on her instagram. Frankie turned to watch Counselor Blatt as she continued.
"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."
Frankie's heart dropped and her eyes widened when she realized who her counselor. "Oh no..." She muttered, looking around the room to find everyone already looking at Eli.
"The kid right there!"
"The kid with the weird lip."
Frankie clenched her jaw as all the whispers echoing around the room.
"Oh, and one last thing. While we're all looking forward to the Halloween dance, let's make sure our costumes are culturally sensitive. For example, instead of sexy nurse, maybe try gender-neutral hospital employee." Counselor Blatt said but Frankie was hardly listening.
When she felt Aisha tap her shoulder, Frankie slowly took a deep breath to calm herself down. She gave Aisha a small smile, silently asking her what she wanted.
"I've got a great idea for our costumes this year." Aisha said and Frankie smiled. She already planned to go as Jennifer Check, but if Aisha looked and sounded this excited to do a duo one, Frankie was happy to hold off her own costume for next year and partner with Aisha. "Hit me."
"I was thinking I go as sodium, and you go as chloride. And when people ask what we are, we do this." Aisha grabbed the salt shaker on their table and shook some salt out onto their table.
Frankie was quick to pull her lunch away from all of the falling salt and looked at Aisha with wide eyes. "So cheesy." Frankie said, shaking her head.
Aisha's face fell, thinking Frankie hated the idea. Frankie suddenly had a big smile on her face. "I love it!" She gushed and Aisha relaxed, her smile coming back onto her face. "I call Sodium though!" Aisha blurted and Frankie groaned.
...
It was the last class of the week before the Halloween dance. Frankie and Miguel were working on their homework so they wouldn't have it over the weekend when Miguel turned to face Frankie.
"Hey, Francesca?" He asked and Frankie hummed, turning to look at Miguel.
"You excited for the Halloween dance?" Miguel asked and Frankie smiled, nodding her head. "Totally. What are you going as?" She asked, going back to her work but still listening.
