Danny’s mother was about to say something, but then the principal stood. “This is getting out of hand,” he said. “Videos on the internet, secret messages from a talking doll. I’ll tell you what. From now on, we’ll have no more cell phones at this school!”
I looked at him in shock.
“That’s seriously your solution?” my mother cried. “No cell phones, but you’ll let juvenile delinquents wander the hallways?”
“Mrs. Hamilton, it’s not my job to raise your kids for you. As far as I know, there isn’t any proof that Mr. Walker is guilty of uploading that video. My hands are tied. As for George, he’ll be suspended for bullying and harassment.”
“How dare you!” Danny’s father shouted, but the principal ignored him.
“About Momo: We’ll have the teachers and counselors talk to the kids about this absurd doll, and I can promise you, there will be a thorough investigation. For now, that’s all. Thank you.” With this, the principal motioned for us to leave.
Despite their outbursts, I could see Danny’s parents were relieved that he hadn’t gotten punished. There were still the police to deal with, but without any proof… God, I hated him! I hated that asshole with all my heart. As they all filed out, my mother told me not to worry and that she’d pick me up after class. Then she left with my brother and grandmother. Only Thiago, Harrison, and I stayed behind.
“It doesn’t take a genius to look at your bruised knuckles and Danny Walker’s face and put two and two together, Mr. Di Bianco,” the principal said, making us stop in our tracks. Thiago seemed about to speak, but Harrison stopped him. “But for some reason Mr. Walker didn’t say a word about you or about why his face is black-and-blue. Once again, I don’t have proof. But when I do, Mr. Di Bianco, don’t think I’ll hesitate to send you packing. Don’t play with fire, kid. Or you’re likely to get burned. Now go, both of you.”
Harrison sank into his chair and expelled a long breath.
Thiago and I left without exchanging a word. Once out in the deserted hallway, I stopped to thank him for staying with me.
“I’m going to tell you something, Kamila. There’s more going on here than you think.” So he was back to calling me by my full name. I guess that meant he hated me again.
“Look, I’m tired of trying to understand why these things are happening to me.” I hugged myself. “All I want at this point is to graduate and get into college so I can get the hell out of here.”
Thiago looked around nervously. I realized he had something else to tell me, but he couldn’t figure out how to say it.
“Are you OK?” I asked.
“Watch out for Julian, Kam,” he warned me in a serious tone.
Julian? What was that supposed to mean? “Julian’s my friend,” I said incredulously. Was he honestly getting jealous of Julian now too?
“Kam, for once in your fucking life, listen to me. Watch out for him, and don’t believe everything he says.”
I shook my head and stepped back. “I’m going to be late for class. I’ll see you around.”
And though he didn’t say another word, the look on Thiago’s face haunted me for the rest of the day.
