𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄| 𝐉.𝐅.

24: Why do you hurt people?

"It was a short call. He mostly wanted me to verify where you were Homecoming night." My father tells me. "I told him after I picked you up you went straight to bed. You were home in bed, correct?"

"Dad, you tucked me in." I tell him. "But why are you even worried about this?"

"Well, apparently, Bryce sent you a text that night?" He says.

"Yeah, I ignored it. I think he texted a lot of Liberty kids." I say.

"They went through Clay Jensen's phone. They found several messages between the two of you that night." He states.

"Yeah, dad, me and Clay text a lot, and it was a crazy night, so obviously we texted. From right here, in my bed." I grimace. "Besides, I've know him since I was a kid. It shouldn't be odd that I texted him at all." I say and my dad nods with a grin. "Why? What do they think?" ask him.

"Well, from what I understand, they're just trying to put together Clay's whereabouts that night after the game." He says as I put on my jacket.

"Oh." I nod.

"Maybe you shouldn't been texting him so much anymore." He suggests. "Alright partner, let's go. You're gonna be late for school." He says and I nod as he leaves the room.

||

"After what happened at Homecoming, you promised you'd tone it down." Bolan says to me.

"I don't remember making that promise." I say, shaking my head.

"I wanted you to stop the funeral protests or you'd be held responsible." He tells me.

"So, I guess I'm here to be held responsible." I simply shrug at him.

"I spoke with the superintendent this morning and this is what we decided: we're calling an assembly tomorrow. In additions to our students, the Hillcrest football team and coaches will be in attendance, and you will make a public apology." Bolan states.

"I will?" I quirk up. "Or?" I add.

"Or the logical next step is to remove you as president." He says. "In the best interest of the student body."

"Everything I have done has been in the best interest of the student body." I say.

"Tell me, Miss Foster, these stunts you pulled...do you think the worked? Are the students better off because of them?" He asks.

"I do." I nod.

"Mmm." He nods back.

"I think people are talking about it." I say.

"But beyond that, what?" He questions. "Make the apology, move on. Now is not the time in this town to be the nail sticking out of the board." He tells me and I lean back in my chair, clenching my jaw.

  ||

"Why is the door locked? Why are we in here?" Justin asks as I grab his wrist and pull him into the room. "We're not a secret anymore." He says and I walk back to him.

"Listen, I've been thinking about my activism, and what I've been putting people through and what I've been putting you through. And Bolan just gave me this ultimatum, and...I'm starting to feel like he's right." I sigh. "This is a bad time for me to start drawing attention to myself."

"Why is it a bad time for you?" Justin asks me.

"I told Ani that you and I were together after Homecoming. She was starting to get suspicious and I just wanted to protect you." I tell him.