A Shadow's Kiss ~ A Pitch Black/Rise of the Guardians Fanfiction

Chapter 9 ~ There Was Once A General...

The Monday following my miniature break down arrived quickly, and I found myself flanked by Jade, Ashlyn, and even Pitch. Jade and her friend could not see the Nightmare King this time, nor could anyone else that passed me as I made my way up the concrete stairs that led into my high school. Pitch had decided to accompany me to hear what would be done about the incident, my invisible support as I walked into Mr. Winborne's office. I knocked three times on the solid red door, causing Mr. Winborne to look up at me over his dark rectangular glasses. "Miss Rose, Miss Jenkins, Miss McKenna." He greeted myself, Jade, and Ashlyn respectively. "How can I assist you today?" He offered, gesturing toward the chair in front of him. I moved toward the seat and placed myself on the edge, clasping my hands in my lap as I met the dark eyes of the man before me.

Mr. Winborne was nearly a doppelganger of Morgan Freeman, an actor I admired in many ways. But the similarities were more than appearance. Both were humanitarians and advocates for equality. Many believed both to be even tempered and open to listening to all sides of an argument, and always willing to help people whenever they can. Even he joked that they were alike, down to the tone of their voices. "You seem troubled Miss Rose, can I help with something?" His deep voice reflected genuine concern. "Yes sir. I-I came to report a case of cyberbullying, or rather, a number of instances of it." I explained. He raised an eyebrow at me, my statement earning his full attention. "Please, tell me more." He encouraged me. "Priscilla and her friends, but mostly Priscilla, are bullying people in the halls, outside of school, and online. She has been targeting most of us for a while, but everyone ignores her because they feel threatened by her. I never said anything before because I thought I could endure whatever she put me through until I graduated..." Mr. Winborne looked at me with a disappointed gaze, and I knew it was because he thought I should've come to him sooner. Maybe I should've.

Noticing Pitch gesturing for me to go on, I straightened my back and continued. "But this weekend she targeted me on social media, and a lot of other people joined her. I don't want to sound like a cry-baby, but this isn't just an issue with me. She's been doing this to a lot of people, and so have her friends, and I'm worried that something bad will happen if she keeps doing this. Someone may get hurt, or hurt themselves, or become a bully too. I don't know why she is doing what she is doing, but she needs to stop. She needs help, or something. I'm not sure. But I do know that no matter how people react to Priscilla's actions, all of the ways we were taught to handle bullies, have not worked on her," I told him.

I spent the next ten minutes detailing little incidents with Priscilla in the hallway or at the mall, and I showed him the screenshots of what had been said on social media and the hateful texts I had received. Then Jade and Ashlyn stepped forward, providing their own evidence of other cases of Pricsilla's bullying, people who were scared to step forward. I wasn't scared to come forward, but I never gave much thought to it since nothing ever seemed to change when people did mention it. But it was time for this. After reading and hearing of a long list of incidents, Mr. Winborne looked between the three of us. "What would you like to see happen with this situation? Technically, I can expel Priscilla and suspend a lot of students based on what you showed me. Bullying is not tolerated in this school, and I hate that this has gone on for so long under my nose. No one made me aware of this problem, otherwise I would've spoken to Priscilla much sooner, that I can promise you." It seemed to me that Mr. Winborne was seething under the surface.

Jade stepped forward, "I'm glad you asked. I think expulsion would be a great idea." She grinned in victory. Ashlyn nodded her agreement. I was silent for a second, thinking. Pitch cocked his head, gazing at me as he awaited an answer just like my principal was. "I do not want to see Priscilla expelled, not yet at least. I'm willing to give her another chance, on the condition that she apologizes to me and every other student she has hurt, publically. I think a brief suspension to reflect on her mistakes is perfectly in order though." I responded thoughtfully.