Chapter 4

I froze where I stood, a loud buzzing filling my ears.

Getting three major disciplinary demerits would mean expulsion. But with the SATs just around the corner, I couldn't afford to be expelled. All of my hard work over the years couldn't just be destroyed like this.

I walked back to my seat, feeling completely hollow and defeated as I bit down hard on my lip.

…

The school cafeteria was bustling at lunchtime. As soon as I sat down in a corner with my tray, the sound of people whispering about me reached my ears.

"Look, that's him—the guy from the school forum."

"You'd really never guess, seeing how he usually acts all decent and proper. Can't believe he's actually that kind of person."

My heart sank as I listened to their words. I hurriedly pulled out my phone and tapped into the school forum to find out what they were actually talking about.

Apparently, rumors about me had been spreading like wildfire over the past few days. Photos of me and Mom were being circulated everywhere, accompanied by a relentless stream of vile, abusive comments—all clearly intended to maliciously smear my reputation.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped outside the cafeteria and called Mom.

As soon as she answered, my voice turned hoarse despite myself.

"Mom, can I still take the SATs if I get expelled from school?"

Her tone turned anxious immediately. "Darrell? What's the matter? Of course you can! You've already completed your registration for the exam. And once you're registered, no one can stop you from taking it. What on earth happened?"

I bit my lip, forcing back the tears that were welling up in my eyes.

"Nothing major. Don't worry about it, Mom."

I hung up in a rush, gripping my phone tightly before heading straight for the teachers' office.

"Ms. Stafford, I've finished writing my reflection essay."

Ms. Stafford glanced up at me, her tone cold.

"Fine. This afternoon, during the all-school assembly, you'll read it aloud in front of everyone. Make sure your attitude is sincere. If it is, I might consider revoking this major disciplinary demerit."

I nodded, said nothing more, and turned back toward the classroom. I had barely sat down when the school PA system suddenly crackled to life.

"Attention, all students and faculty. Please gather on the sports field immediately. Darrell Goodwin from Class 3-3 will be delivering a public apology for cheating on an exam and assaulting a classmate."

Jake and Pete exchanged a glance and snickered, covering their mouths. Other students around them joined in the jeering, their eyes filled with the contemptuous glee of those watching a spectacle.

Ignoring everyone, I stood up and headed straight for the field.

The entire school, students and staff alike, stood in a dense mass on the field. The school principal, Mr. Matthew Snyder, the vice principal, Mr. Gilbert Turner, and various other teachers were gathered on the podium.

As soon as Mr. Turner caught sight of me, his expression darkened. He leaned toward the microphone and began to tell me off.

"Darrell Goodwin from Class 3-3 has been caught cheating on an exam, and instead of showing remorse for it, he assaulted a classmate. That classmate happens to be my own son! Today, he will offer a sincere public apology!"

I took the microphone, glanced down at the written apology in my hand, then suddenly looked up, sweeping my gaze across the entire crowd.

Then, instead of reading the apology, I spoke calmly to the whole school.

"Good day, everyone. My name is Darrell Goodwin.

"For the past few days, the school forum has been flooded with rumors and malicious comments directed at me and my mother. My classmate, Jake Turner, relied on the fact that his father is the school's vice principal and has been inciting the entire class to bully and ostracize me—"

The moment these words left my lips, the crowd erupted in an uproar. Gasps and exclamations exploded across the field.

A teacher nearby lunged forward to snatch the microphone from my hand, all color draining from her face.

"Stop spouting such nonsense!"

I stepped back and held the microphone steady in my hands, looking her straight in the eye. Then, I raised my voice and asked, "What's the matter? People can do all these things to me, but I'm not even allowed to talk about it? Are you afraid of something?"

Mr. Turner charged down from the podium and ripped the microphone from my grip. He then bellowed at me, yelling, "Darrell Goodwin! You just got yourself another major disciplinary demerit for maliciously spreading rumors and displaying an atrocious attitude! That makes three demerits—you are hereby expelled!"

Mr. Snyder, who had been sitting on the dais, began to rise, as if to say something. Just then, a steady, forceful woman's voice rang out from the entrance to the playground.

"So, is this really how your school treats my son, Matt? I think I'm going to have to reconsider that annual grant after all."