The Edge

Chapter 3

The next few students are not as engaging as Riley had been. The second period kid is a junior by the name of Jordan McCormac. He is polite but not chatty, and spends his time reading quietly. I figure he'll do alright as an assistant. Third period brings me a puffy eyed senior, Olivia Ellis, who has to excuse herself to the restroom multiple times to have a good cry. Reed Spencer, a sophomore, arrives next. He offers to make sure the books are "in the right places," but has a impish air about him that makes me think he might do some rearranging, so I have him log in and out of each computer to make sure they are in order. He spends the rest of the time trying to peer over my shoulder to see what I'm doing or gazing around the room, likely plotting mischief.

I read through my emails, which explain the procedures that will be followed by teachers. The police are calling students into the office throughout the day, talking to those who knew Hannah personally and seniors who could help provide a timeline of her whereabouts that night. I get some work done as well, compiling lists of resources and technology that I will use when helping students with research assignments and projects.

By the time fifth period rolls around, I'm getting nervous. My current helper is a senior named Avery Eckhart. He is a stony faced redhead who has made no attempt at social niceties. He'd be rather cute if he weren't so sullen. I'm not sure whether his avoidance of interaction is due to the present circumstances at school or whether this is an accurate representation of his normal conduct. I'm almost anxious for him to leave, but I know that the Wilder girl is coming next and I can't say I'm looking forward to that.

But eventually, the time has come. The bell to end fifth period sounds, and Avery begins to gather his belonging. Almost immediately, Sloane marches in and slams her books against the nearest table. Avery glances her way.

"Take it easy, Wilder." It's the first time he's uttered a word during the last hour and is surprisingly soft-spoken. "We're in a library." They exchange an indecipherable glance, then she smirks and tosses her backpack on the floor. Avery leaves without another comment.

As students shuffle through the hallway towards their next classes, a few gaze curiously into the library. Sloane gestures rudely at each of them. Someone calls out, "Psycho!" as they pass. Hopefully it wasn't Riley.

"Fucking assholes," mumbles Sloane. I bite my lip, wondering if I'm supposed to write her up for that.

I decide to go with a cautious warning. "Could we keep the vulgarities to ourselves?"

She stares at me witheringly. She has a fierce, steely gaze. "What are you, one of the fucking speech nazis?" she spits. "I'm sick of the Gestapo tactics around here. Knuckledraggers in uniform were banging on my door at five in the morning yesterday, hauling my family to the police station, and I'm not even allowed to express myself? I get to spend the day getting called to the office every five seconds and I can't protest? All you fascists can suck it."

It's clear that I should probably request to make her someone else's problem, but instead I find myself commenting, "I can sort of see your point."

"Oh, is that right? You see my point? So that makes you one of the 'cool' adults?"

"I read somewhere that the use of taboo words triggers endorphins in the brain," I mention. "So I think there is a place for their use during times of extreme stress. But in general I think repetitive use of profanity belongs in the territory of small and ignorant minds."

She considers me for a minute. "I'm not ignorant," she says. "This blip on the map town is. And maybe, just maybe, I could use a few endorphins today."

Her arms are crossed tight against her body. Her expression, though attempting to be defiant, comes across as desperate and vulnerable.

I carefully consider what to say next, finally going with, "How is your family doing?"