Lacey steps into class and notices that she had become the center of attention. Her eyes scan for puckered lips and a nerve-rattling scowl; and as expected she finds it on Syrita's face. Lacey exhaled when Syrita smiled at her. Her smile gave Lacey glint of hope that she was unaware of her participation in the trial. As lacey turns to close the classroom door she then hears several buzzing sounds around the room go off all at once. With each buzz, the warm blood flowing in Lacey's body seemed to rapidly shift to cold. With her hand still on the knob she felt like an unmovable pillar of ice. Lacey knew what that sound meant. Someone sent out a message of what occurred in at the hearing. It was only a matter of time before everyone including Syrita would know about her clandestine relationship with the notorious Danny Desai.
Lacey could tell from the gasp, snickering and stares that they knew. Although her phone buzzed too she wasn't ready to look at it. For a split second she hoped that the message alerted the verdict; but this was high school, and when the popular engages with someone as sketchy as Danny, then it becomes front-page news. Lacey grips the knob, closes her eyes and internally reminds herself that she is among wolves and showing weakness would be the worst possible thing she could do. She then turns to face the class. Once more she searches for Syrita's face. This time Syrita's scowl was replaced with a grimace of discuss and heavy disappointment. Everyone in the class seemed to be in shock as they read the mass text message. One by one the students peered up from their phone and excitedly pivot back and forth between Syrita and Lacey to witness Syrita's reaction. Lacey felt like she was standing on a minefield. If she sat with Syrita she was bound to be the object of Syrita's hatred and if she sat else where she would be declaring her shame. This was how the in crowd functioned. The rules were simple don't intermingle or show an ounce of concern for unpopular people and Lacey clearly disregarded that rule. Lacey walked over to her desk positioned beside Syrita. She was hoping that maybe she underestimated Syrita friendship.
Just as Lacey slid cautiously into her chair, Syrita stood up abruptly and moved to the seat in the back of the room. The students craned their heads to inspect the commotion. Mrs. Hobbs, the teacher was curious as to why all the commotion and so she grabbed one of the student's phone, quickly scanned it and then shoved it back into the student's hand. She then requested Syrita and Lacey met her in the hallway. The scene so callously performed by Syrita didn't need much explanation. In so few words Syrita had drew her line of separation and she made this known to all that was present. Lacey felt like she had been pushed off a plane and was free falling into the unknown. Without Syrita she felt powerless. She had this uncanny urge to look back at Syrita. Seeing Syrita publicly shunning her as a friend meant she was losing one of her greatest and influential alliances.
"Syrita and Lacey!" I said meet me in the hallway now." Syrita was initially reluctant to go anywhere with Lacey, but she wasn't about to be written-up for not complying with the teacher's request. Mrs. Hobbs closed the door after Lacey and Syrita entered the hallway, "Now I don't know what is going on between you two, but you two are posing as a major distraction. Lacey have you seen the text?" Lacey shifts her weight and swallows, "No". Mrs. Hobbs, bites her bottom lip and says, "I think you two need to go to the principal's office to discuss this privately. The hallway isn't an ideal location for this particular discussion." Syrita shakes her head, "This is ridiculous, and there is nothing to discuss. She defended a murderer and is now a disgrace…end of discussion. May I please go back to class?" Mrs. Hobbs smiled, "No you may not. But you are more than welcome to receive detention or do as I say and go to the principal's office?" With that said Syrita rolled her eyes and turned on her heals and marched her way to the Principal's office. Lacey followed behind her. She knew talking to Syrita at this very moment would be futile; but she didn't see any point in arguing with the teacher. Both girls took a seat in the main office. When the secretary asked why they were there, Lacey stood up and explained, "The teacher demanded we speak with him to settle matters". The secretary then nodded and told the girls, "Principal Lane would be with them in just a moment."
After about three minutes principal Lanes' door opened and out walked Danny and his mother. Syrita squawked at the very sight of him and turned to look the other way. However, Lacey, couldn't take her eyes off him. She was trying to read his face, and to refrain from running over to him. Danny's expression was the end result of defeat, disappointment, anger, and injustice; and seeing Lacey in the principal's office it was now mixed with confusion. Although he tried to perk up as if he was unscathed by the events of today, Lacey knew otherwise. She could see pass it all. It was the furrows of his brow and sadness in his eyes that tugged at Lacey's heart. She didn't think seeing him at his lowest could have such an effect on her.
Danny's mom then walked over to Lacey, bent down and embraced her in a hug. She then whispered in her ear, "Thank you, you said what needed to be said." All the while Danny never took his eyes off of Lacey. She felt as if his eyes were saying the same thing as his mother had whispered in her ear. Lacey watched Danny place his hand on the small of his mother's back and escorted her into the hallway. Just before the door came to a complete close, Danny whipped it open and walked over to Lacey as if he had tunnel vision and she was the only thing in focus. He grabbed her arm gently and in a low tone asked, "Lacey I need to speak with you, now".
Lacey jumped up and followed him into the hallway. Lacey had a surge of emotions and questions for Danny, but before she could ask one, he blurted, "Yes, I was expelled."
Lacey threw her arms up in a fit of anger and screeched, "Why!" Danny instinctively wanted to calm her down; and so he gently put his hands on Lacey's shoulder and slid her arm back down to her side. He then placed his right index finger over her lips and held her hand with the other and said, " I love you for what you did for me today, so I don't want you to feel as if you failed. It took courage and sacrifice on your part and that alone is my victory. It is not safe or wise for you to stay in school today. I have many enemies, and I'd never forgive myself if they decided to take it out on you. I think it's best that you leave and let things die down."
Before Lacey could protest, the Principal Lane called Lacey into the office. Danny gestured for her to go. He then watched her disappear into the principal's office. Danny knew he had to leave the school grounds, but he genuinely wanted to wait for Lacey to protect her from being verbally attacked and publicly rejected. However, as badly as he wanted to wait, the policemen running down the hall were suggesting otherwise. Danny didn't understand why they felt the need to run towards him, since he was 20 feet from the exit. However, to Danny's surprise, they stopped and ran into the principal's office. When the door had opened, he heard Lacey's voice. It sounded like she was lashing out in anger. Danny instantly became concerned, and turned to head back to the office, but one of the officers raised his hand to stop Danny from taking another step. The officer looked back into the office and anxiously said, "I think you better leave now son".