“What do you mean there’s nothing you can do?”
Her pause fills the hallway with suffocating ire.
“When I send my son to school, I am putting him in your and the school’s care. And that doesn’t just mean his physical safety. It includes his emotional and mental wellbeing. I?—”
What the hell is going on? Is Noah okay?
Raven takes a deep breath. “Mrs. Burke, if you would just work with me on this, I know we could come to a resolution. One where Noah isn’t being bullied, and your classroom has a peaceful atmosphere.”
Bullied. My God. Nothing changes.
“He’s very self-conscious about the scar on his face. There was an…accident when he was little. So, hearing that he’s being made fun of for it is distressing. Not only that, but the bully is encouraging other kids to participate in the bullying as well.”
Oh, hell no.
Noah is being bullied because he has a scar, and it sounds like his teacher is refusing to intervene on his behalf.
Knox and I know all too well that people don’t like someone who’s different. They act as if diversity is going to kill them. They see danger instead of what diversity actually is.
Beauty.
It’s cliché to say this, but it’s true. If we were all the same, then no one would be unique. We wouldn’t have the things we have or be able to live the lives we live without diversity.
This fear will never go away if we don’t teach kids that diversity is good.
“I’ll think over what you’ve said and get back to you…Yep…Sure…Have a good evening.”
Assuming she’s ended the call with that awful teacher, I peek my head around the corner.
Raven leans against the wall with her head tilted toward the ceiling. She releases an exhale and closes her eyes. Her lips begin to tremble, and a single tear falls from the corner of her eye.
I hate seeing her like this. I hate not being able to look in her eyes.
Remedying that, I step out from my hiding spot. “Hey there, Sunshine. Are you okay?”
Her head snaps in my direction, and she pushes off the wall. She sniffles and wipes the wet streak on her face. “I’m fine.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
She straightens her shoulders, clinging to her pride. “I have it handled. Thanks.” Raven avoids my reply by leaving the hall as fast as she can.
I spin, following her path with my eyes, and watch as she and Knox bump into each other.
“Whoa, hey. Sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Knox places his hands on Raven’s shoulders.
“No problem.” Raven ducks under Knox’s arms, slipping out of his way, and returns to the bar.
Knox looks at me while running his hand through his hair. “What happened?”
My arms cross in front of my chest. “We need to talk.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
KNOX
Sometimes Griffin’s ideas are one can short of a six pack. And to be fair, mine can be the same way. But I have to admit, this one has some merit.
Waiting by the pool tables, I pretend to straighten things even though it’s already tidy over here.
