School is quiet following Dads meeting with the Principal and the other parents. Jared has been expelled and the others have been warned that the bullying and abusive behavior is to stop or they'll be joining him in a different school.
Although they are no longer abusive toward me, now choosing to ignore me instead, which suits me but it's making cheer hard, so I make the decision to find Coach and tell her I no longer want to be on the squad. It breaks my heart a little as I hand back my uniform, but my friends are all waiting outside Coach's office with open arms when I walk out.
We bundle into the back of Ben's SUV when the last bell sounds out and head to the diner for celebratory shakes and fries.
I order a full portion and savor each bite as I wash them down with the thickest of chocolate shakes with extra cream because I can.