Silent Pain

The Meeting

The following morning, it was raining so I knew Kate wasn't going to be in our normal waiting spot. I quickly asked her where she'd be, and she said she'd meet me in the commons. I got ready so quick that I forgot my makeup bag and I was the first to leave the house. I was anxious about this afternoon, maybe a little bit of mixed feelings but mostly anxiety. My windshield wipers were on fast as I drove to school. I found the closest spot up front as I could, grabbed my umbrella and went inside. Kate was in the commons just like she said, I didn't even bother going to my locker first, school didn't start for another hour. Just as I sat down with her, I got a text message from my parents asking where I was. I responded that I was at school early and not to worry.

"So, how are you feeling about this afternoon"? "Anxious, as usual", "she's going to get punished, it's about time"! "She's not really the one I want punished at this time". "What do you mean"? "Allen's killer, possibly kill-ERS. Last night, my mom said that she, Antonio and Daniel got in trouble with the law for getting drunk two hours before Allen's car accident". "And you think Rebecca has something to do with Allen's death". "Maybe, I don't know. I just want this whole thing to be over." "It will be." Kate rubs my back in assurance. "Plus if she says anything to you today, you can use that against her." We turn around and Javier is approaching us. "What are you doing here so early?" Kate asks. "I could ask you the same thing muchachas, but instead, I'm just going to tell you that I got here early to study for a test I have later today." "Oh, what class"? "My German class." Before Kate or I could say anything, Javier said a bunch of German sentences, we were just blown away. "You're going ace that test, Javier." "Thanks Sid. So what are my dos mejores amigos up to"? "Comforting Sydney about you-know-what with you-know-who". Kate practically whispered, but I still heard everything. "How's that going"? "I could really use a distraction right now." "Okay, so let's talk about how awesome last night was"! "Yeah, that was a great party. Did I mention your mom can cook?" Kate asks. "She knows those kitchen skills."

"Hey Javier," Kate says. Javier looks at her with his 'ready to listen' facial expression. Kate suddenly says something in German. The two of them exchange a conversation in German. I didn't know Kate knew German and I thought I knew everything about her. The conversation ends with a laughter breakout. "What's going on"? "We were just talking about how funny it'll be when Rebecca gets in trouble for bullying you". "I see". "What"? "What if she plays the victim"? "There's no way she can do that, not with us as your witnesses." "I'll let you know how it goes.'' "You better". Kate smirked at me. We sat together having random conversations until Javier decided to put his stuff in his locker. As the other students were arriving, Kate and I went to our lockers and then to English class together. "How far along are you in 'The Scarlet Letter'"? "I just finished chapter 23, so I'm almost done". Kate says. "Wow, I'm still on chapter 17. I know we're supposed to be done with it by next Friday, but I'm struggling." "I can help you if you want". "I'd like that." "Okay, tomorrow afternoon, my house." "Thanks Kate". The two of us sat down in Mr. Roberts' class and waited for the bell to ring. Today, he was going to ask us how far along we were. The whole class is supposed to be on chapter 20, I just hope I'm ahead of someone. When he eventually got to me, I was ashamed until he asked four other students who said they were still on chapter 12. Lord have mercy, I hope these kids are prepared for the test next week, just like I hope we're ready for this meeting today.

Today just seemed to drag on and I thought lunch would never come. Kate and Javier were waiting for me at a table in the commons. I sat with them and asked them if they thought the day was dragging on. Javier agreed with me, mostly because he hasn't taken his German test yet but Kate said the day seems to be going as usual. "Hey, are you okay"? She asks me. "Yeah, I'm fine." "I know you better than that Sydney, what's wrong"? "It's the anxiety, I feel sick to the stomach." "Don't eat then, we don't want you going home sick." "I think I'd rather have the flu than this crazy stomach pain." "It wouldn't hurt to rest in the nurse's office for a while". Maybe Javier's right. I can tell he's more worried than Kate, it's in his eyes. "Okay. Just let me go let my algebra teacher and I'll talk to you later. I left my tray on the table and left to tell Mrs. Norris that I was going to be in the nurse's office, I found Kate and Javier walking beside me. "We can't let you go alone". I smiled at him, but as we started making our way up the stairs, I got dizzy and wobbled. "Woah Sydney! Maybe slow down a bit". I hear Kate say. We did, but when we got to the top of the stairs, I stopped and fell.

When I woke up, I was in the nurse's office and my parents were there. "What time is it?" I asked. "It's almost the end of the school day honey". Dad says. Oh my God. This isn't good. "Are you sure you're up to the meeting"? Mom asks. "Let's just get this over with, I'll meet you in Ms. Bjornson's office." My parents looked at each other, nodded at me, then left." "That was quite a fall you took Sydney, are you okay to walk"? "Yeah, as long as I go slowly". "Alright, whenever you're ready". "Thanks Nurse Lucy". I walk down the hall to Ms. Bjornson's office where I see my parents and Rebecca's parents. I must have gotten there before Rebecca because she wasn't there yet. However, when she arrived, she was crying. Her parents asked her what was wrong and she said she'd only explain if my parents and I weren't in the office. Mrs. Stone kindly asked us to step out so we did. About five minutes later, we came back in and Rebecca's parents looked at me with a furious look.

My parents and I sat down and Ms. Bjornson started the meeting. "So, there's some problems between the girls?" "Yes, Sydney has been through a lot lately and we don't need anyone, especially Rebecca to antagonize her." "Excuse me sir but Becky hasn't been antagonizing anyone, she just told us how upset she is by the way she's being treated by Sydney!" "What's that supposed to mean"? My dad asks. "It means your daughter's a little bully"! "Oh my daughter's a bully?!" "Dad!" "Edwin." Despite our attempts to calm dad down, he stands up and so does Mr. Stone. "Do you know how hard it's been since my son died? This isn't hard on just me or my wife, it's hard on Sydney, and Rebecca has been rubbing it in my daughter's face since DAY ONE of this school year!" "Your daughter has taunted my Becky over her boyfriend's arrest and she doesn't need to be bullied here!" "The only one being bullied is Sydney." "Oh for heaven's sake gentlemen!" Ms. Bjornson shouts as she stands up. My dad and Mr. Stone get out of each other's faces and look at her. "We're here to solve the problem, not make things worse." My dad and Mr. Stone exchange looks and sit down.

"Now that we're all settled down, Sydney, why don't you start, tell everyone how you're feeling." "I'm feeling depressed. It's about Allen's death, not knowing who did it, the comments, the stress, trying to forget the pain, but I can't and it's all just too much." Mom puts her arm around me. "Rebecca?" "My boyfriend just got arrested and Sydney comes in and rubs it in my face the first time we see each other daily". "That's not true"! Someone yells, bursting through the door. It was Kate and Javier with the principals. "Rebecca is pulling strings Ms. Bjornson." Kate says. "I have one of her nasty comments on camera too". Javier adds. He plays a video of the  one of the days Rebecca called me a crybaby and said that I cry for no reason. "It's your word against your own.... Muchacha." Javier gave her a look which I could tell broke Rebecca's heart. It's about time she realizes that Javier has no interest in her.

"Becky? Are you lying?" Mr. Stone asks without making eye contact with Rebecca "No! I would never lie to my parents!" "Then is that video tainted?" Mrs. Stone adds, sounding more upset. Rebecca looked around. She looked at me, my parents, Ms. Bjornson, the principals, her parents then back to me. "Nothing? I didn't think so" Javier turns to the principal. "Señorita, that was only one incident." "I know, and I am also aware of the underage drinking Miss Stone did with the help of two college students. Due to the recent bullying of Sydney Kingston, Rebecca Stone is now suspended for two weeks and may return to school if legal authorities allow it." "What are you saying?" Rebecca cries. "Rebecca, you're not going home with your parents, you're going back to jail, the bail bondsman has declined your bond application due to inability to pay or offer valuable collateral." This hit her hard, I was glad that I get at least two confirmed weeks with no Rebecca. I'll bet she'll try to behave super hard so she can come back, or will this teach her a lesson?

The meeting was concluded and Rebecca was escorted to a police car by the school's security. "Thanks for coming in guys." "Anytime Sydney, I told you, we've got your back". Kate says. I gave her a huge hug. After Kate, I hugged Javier, but before I let go of him, I kissed his cheek. He rubbed it in a way as if he was waiting for me to do so his whole life. "Kissing boys young lady"? My dad teases. "Oh Edwin, she's a high school student, let it slide." Mr. and Mrs. Stone left the building already, probably because of Rebecca's rearrest. I felt good enough to drive back home so I followed my parents all the way. Kate and Javier went home as well. About thirty minutes after we got home, it stopped raining. The sky was clearing up, the clouds were yellow and I could see the blue sky. It was beautiful. Allen used to theorize that when the sky does that, the angels in heaven are right above the location, looking at you, and you just can't see them. I wonder if that were true, is Allen looking at me now? Just in case he is, I opened my window, looked up and said out loud, "I miss you Allen, and I promise that whoever is responsible for your death is punished." A neighbor of mine was looking at me as I peered from the sky to the street. On that note, Rebecca's out of the way and we're yet another step closer to seeing if she's involved in Allen's death or not.