In her room, Treasure overheard what they said as she flopped down onto her bed. Nothing much had changed since that day she left for school; her Mom had picked up and done the laundry, the stacks of folded clothes in a chair in the corner. It was good to be away from the hospital, she thought as she rolled onto her side.
A buzzing from the bedside table got her attention, and she looked at her phone. Mom must have brought it home and plugged it in, because when she opened her iPhone 4s, Jessie’s picture came up. Smiling, she answered the call. “Jenny?”
“Oh GOD, you’re finally home! I’ve missed you, Rea!”
“I’ve missed you too. I literally just walked in my bedroom, do you want to come over?”
There was a pause. “I can’t, Rea. My parents don’t want me to have anything to do with you anymore.” Her heart sank in her chest and tears came to her eyes as the full import of her sentence hit her. “I had to sneak out just to call you, but I had to know you are all right.”
Rea just laughed. “I’m a long way from all right, Jenny. I’m getting better, though.”
“I have to get back, I’m changing your name so we can text, all right? I’ll see you at school.”
School. That was going to be a problem. “Sure, see you then. Thanks, Jenny. Just know I’m sorry this all happened.”
“I am too. Just get better, all right? I miss my winger.”
“I will. Bye.” She ended the call, then looked at her messages. The boxes were nearly full; Jenny alone had left almost a hundred, and she went back through those quickly. The rest? Friend after friend had turned on her, called her names, wished she was dead or otherwise hated her. Facebook was no better; ten minutes in, she deleted her account. The vile things people posted made her sick. Did they think she CHOSE this?
What she had gone through over the last few months, she wouldn’t wish it on her worst enemy. “Rabid Rea” seemed to be the insult of choice, with many saying she should be put down like a dog. Tossing her phone on the bed, she slid down to the floor, pulling her knees up as she cried for the loss of her life.
Nothing would ever be the same.
She heard soft footsteps in the hall, then her Mom knocked softly. “Treasure?”
“Mom…” She barely got that out, and when her Mom saw her she sat on the floor and pulled her into her lap. “Everyone hates me, Mom,” she cried into her neck.
“I know, baby. This will pass, but it will take time.” Nothing had been easy for any of them; their house had been egged, threatening phone calls had been routine and many of their own friends had pulled back. Even work had not been immune, and the gossip mill had been horrible. Letting out her breath, she kissed her forehead then ran her fingers through her short hair. “Jenny has been in your corner the whole time, even after… never mind.”
“After what?”
Dawn paused, knowing she would find out eventually. “A week after that practice, a few people jumped her in the hallway. Her face was slammed into a locker and it broke her nose, and they punched her hard enough to break a rib.” Rea was horrified, knowing she took a beating because she was loyal to her. “She missed most of the season.”
“I don’t know if I can face them, Mom. They hate me.”
“I don’t know if you will, baby. You were suspended pending a hearing with the school, we meet with them tomorrow to find out what is next.” She lifted her daughter’s chin, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Now, Grandma is almost here, and she doesn’t want to see a crying mess. How about you take that shower and come out? The pizza will be here in twenty minutes.”
“All right.” She got to her feet, then held her hand out to help Mom up. “Pasquale’s, right?”
“Of course, it’s your favorite.” She gave her daughter a hug. “I’m so happy you’re home. We’re trying not to overwhelm you, so if things get to be too much just come back here.”
“I’m fine, Mom. The drugs are helping, I’m just sluggish. It’s probably hospital food and lack of exercise, I mean, look at this!” She pinched her belly. “It’s going to take a lot of running to work this off.”
“Starting tomorrow,” Dawn laughed. Rea went to her bathroom, and she walked back to the door, smiling a little.
It was going to be tough, but maybe things would work out.
The next morning, Rea got in the car with her parents for the short ride to the District Offices. They were escorted to a conference room, where her Principal, Assistant Principal, 9th grade counselor, soccer coach, a lawyer and the school psychologist were waiting. Her father had told her to sit quietly and listen, so she did, even though the words cut her like knives.
“Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Olson, and Treasure. The purpose of this hearing is to determine disciplinary actions related to the attack by Ms. Olson on a classmate. We have reviewed the reports on the incident from the coaches, other students, the police reports and your academic record. Mrs. Wells has also, with your parent’s permission, reviewed your medical records and spoke to your doctor. She has provided her opinion, but due to privacy laws the rest of us are not allowed to review those records. Before we make a final decision, we would like to hear from you and your parents.”
Mark looked at his daughter, his eyes encouraging her to speak. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I still can’t recall what it was, but I have worked hard with my doctors to control my anger, so this never happens again. What happened, me reacting like that… that isn’t who I am. Nothing like that will happen again.” She squeezed her father’s hand.
“This is a sad situation all around,” he said. “Treasure has gone through a lot to get better, and I’m worried about what will happen when she returns to school. There have been threats, vandalism and at least one attack on her friend. I want her to be able to return to school, but I’m concerned for her safety as well.”
Dawn spoke up next. “She’s suffered so much,” she said as she wiped away a tear. “She’s already lost a third of the school year, and a whole soccer season. Before this day, she was a straight-A student, popular, and a star athlete. Her treatment is working, and she deserves to return to school,” she said.
“Is there anything else you would like us to consider before we make our decision?” There wasn’t. “All right, if you could wait outside while we deliberate.” The three got up and went out to the waiting area; Rea listened in, her mood falling with each sentence. They weren’t going to let her return. She started to cry, leaning on her father as he tried to comfort her.
Twenty minutes later, they were called back in. “We have had to balance fairness and safety in this decision and keeping Rea and our other students safe has to be the main priority. The nature of this attack on a fellow student cannot be excused or ignored, and we will not do so. Treasure Olson is hereby expelled from school and has been banned from school grounds, activities and sports for no less than one year.”
“Expelled? How will she get her education?” Mark was holding his daughter’s hand, she already knew the answer so there was no point crying now.
“There are a few options. We do have a program here at the District offices for students who need non-traditional methods. She can receive guided instruction with special education staff. Alternately, she can use web-based school and work from home to complete her studies.”