𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊 . . . 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝

𝟒𝟖. 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧

48. crashing down

season four, episode four: senior camping trip

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"I was the young guy. The new kid."

Nessa watched, her eyes pooled with tears as she listened intently to Charlie's speech in front of everyone. She was so proud of him for getting up there, talking and letting his true feelings out like he didn't care who was watching. She only hoped she could do the same when it was her turn.

"But, uh, this past year, I felt like I...truly became a friend."

Charlie paused, letting himself look out into the crowd to lock eyes with each of his friends. He took a moment to look at them all with care.

"Like I...I found a whole new group of friends, and we went through a lot together. And we'll get through this."

Nessa wasn't sure about that last part, but she admired his optimism.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"I did a terrible thing. I know I hurt people." Clay spoke dryly in front of Jessica and Nessa.

It was Monday, and things were truly more fucked up than ever. Well, maybe not. That was a heavy accusation to make, considering the events of these last two years.

"I'd give anything to take it back. I just–"

"Bringing a deadly weapon on campus is usually an automatic expulsion." Jessica cut Clay off out of her own anger and irritation that she was even having to have this conversation right now.

"It wasn't even a real knife." Clay defended himself.

"Could it have really stabbed someone?" Nessa chimed in, sitting up in her chair. "Did you really bring it into the dance?"

"Look, I mean, they both admitted it was a prank." Charlie spoke up from beside Nessa. "Clay's already taken responsibility, so..."

Clay and Diego sat in front of the Honor Board looking as irritated as ever. However, Nessa was positive that her own irritation was the highest. She never liked Diego, anyways. Her gut was always right, it had never led her astray before.

"Because it's possible it was used in self defense, and because you both have already served your two-week suspensions, the only outstanding question is – will you be allowed to attend the senior camping trip?" Jessica told the boys, and both of them looked at her in confusion.

To be fair, Nessa was confused too. She didn't see why either of them particularly cared about the senior camping trip, because she was personally dreading it. Nessa didn't do bugs.

Dean Foundry stood up, clearing his throat to make a statement. "If there aren't any further statements, the board should just deliberate and vote. Okay?"

Everyone on the Honor Board committee stood up, leaving the two boys alone as they deliberated on their own to consider a proper punishment. Nessa stood against the wall between Charlie and Jessica, zoning out as the rest of the board talked it out. She nodded along when her friends spoke, but her mind was elsewhere.