Before I could reply, Coach Rutherford shouted from the main doors into the campus. “Gage, Miller, get your asses in the gym now!”
As we made our way through the corridors, following the other students, I asked where Reed, Phoenix, and Harper were. Hudson said Reed brought Storm into school and that Nix was staying home with Harper. She had been receiving messages from Nicholas Creed about the drugs. He explained that the others had agreed that the drugs should be disposed of, without the Creeds knowing who took them. There was then no evidence that the Sawyers were involved.
Again, I was torn as to who had injured Micah.
As Hudson and I climbed the steps of the stand that had been set out in the gym for a whole school gathering, we found Storm and Reed. They were sitting together at the back, and we joined them.
Kids were staring at us, or should I say at Hudson, and a few said how sorry they were to hear about Micah.
Reed and Hudson bumped fists, and I gave Storm a nod. She mouthed ‘Are you OK?’ and I gave her a reassuring smile. I still wasn’t. I had a churning feeling in my stomach.
Something wasn’t right. I felt strange in the car when my father drove us to school. I knew I should blame what happened on Friday for that, but it wasn’t that. There was something else going on. It was almost like I was on display, being watched.
It was probably from all the attention we were getting, but it still didn’t sit well with me.
Everyone went quiet as my father and some other teachers entered the gym. He walked up to the podium and addressed the school.
He was so strong and confident. The level of stress he was under must have been immense, and I knew he hadn’t slept for most of the weekend. One of his students had been hurt, and he, too, seemed to carry a level of blame.
I leaned my head against Hudson as my father started speaking.
“Settle down, quieten down please,” our principal began, waving his hands to calm everyone down. The atmosphere was thick with suspense.
“I want to start by congratulating our team on winning the game against St Andrew’s on Friday night. You boys played well and showed real courage. Courage, pride, and determination,” he said over the mic, and the gym exploded with kids whooping and fist-pumping the air. “Don’t cheer that—silence—I said silence. Let me finish.” Because of social media and news of Micah’s attack going viral, most kids knew about it, but not everyone did.
We all went quiet as my father carried on.
“As most of you will be aware. Team courage, team pride, and team determination can lead to gang rivalry. The police call what happened to one of ours on Friday nighta terrifying display of aggression.I know you will all join me in wishing Micah a speedy recovery in the hospital. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. We have extra counsellors on campus today. If anyone feels they need special support after what has happened, please make an appointment.
I would also ask that if anyone is aware of any information that could assist the police in finding the perpetrator or details of what happened leading up to the incident, please speak to a member of staff. I will be meeting with the police later today.”
He took a brief pause, and then his tone became firm, his expression intense.
“Now, I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve seen social media and the anger brewing over this incident. I also know that school rivalry can run deep.
You are all to allow the police to handle this situation and not take matters into your own hands.
There is to be no retaliation. There is no evidence at this time to say who was responsible. Do not make assumptions. I am calling upon you all…. To show real courage and WALK away.
Our motto at The Heights isKnowledge is Powerand at this moment, we do not have that knowledge. Not until the police have concluded their investigations and brought those responsible to justice.
I say again. Let the law handle this. I will not defend retaliatory behaviour. Is that clear?”
The sea of nodding heads and a chorus of yes, sir could be heard. As my father left and the staff followed behind him, Coach Rutherford stepped up to the microphone. “OK, people, you heard him. Everyone, go to your first period. If you need to see a counsellor, please arrange an appointment through the member of staff you have for period one. Dismissed.”
I turned to Hudson, realising he wasn’t in his school uniform, and neither was Reed.
“We’re going to the hospital to see Micah. Then we have some business to attend to. I’ll pick you up after school,” he explained. Did he mean the business of disposing of the drugs, or visiting St Andrew’s? I suddenly felt regret that I hadn’t shared my thoughts about who could have stabbed Micah.
The stand became noisy as students started to leave the gym. Storm and Reed pushed to their feet.
I grabbed Hudson’s hand. “Please, Hudson. Take care and be safe. I can’t be dealing with any more shit right now.”
He stood, taking me with him.
“Don’t worry, Molly. I’m going to take care of it. Make this shit right.”
“You aren’t going to do anything to anyone from St Andrew’s, are you?”
