The Vice Principal picked up the landline on his desk and pressed a button.
"Could you send Miss Clara Collins in, please? And her classroom teacher."
He hung up, then turned his attention back to me.
"Mrs. Collins—Mary—before they come in, I need you to understand that we'll handle this fairly. But your sister must also understand that violence can't be the solution, no matter the provocation."
I nodded stiffly.
"I understand. But I also know Clara. If she snapped, then something pushed her there."
A knock interrupted us. The door opened, and in walked Clara, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her uniform slightly untidy. Behind her, a slim woman in a floral blouse followed—her class teacher.
Clara's eyes darted to me first.
"Mary…" she murmured, her voice carrying both relief and defiance.
"Sit down, Clara," the Vice Principal instructed, gesturing to the chair beside me.
She dropped into it with a huff, staring at the floor.
The teacher cleared her throat gently.
"Mr. Lewis, if I may… I was present when they brought Clara in after the incident."
"Yes, please."
The teacher sat forward, speaking carefully.
"Clara has been dealing with remarks from the same group of girls for weeks. I've spoken to them before, but apparently, it escalated today. One of the girls insulted her family, quite cruelly. Clara warned her to stop, but when the taunting continued… well…" She glanced at Clara. "She reacted."
"Reacted?" I turned to my sister. "Clara, is that true?"
Clara finally lifted her head, her jaw tight. "She called you names, Mary. She said things about Dad—about why he left—and she laughed about it in front of everyone."
My breath caught. My father. Even here, his shadow managed to creep in after many years ago.
"And you thought hitting her was the answer?" I asked softly, fighting to keep my tone calm.
Clara's eyes glistened.
"I told her to stop. She wouldn't. She pushed me first, so I… I pushed back harder."
Mr Lewis leaned forward, folding his hands.
"Mary, we're not dismissing Clara's feelings. But we can't condone her response. There will need to be consequences."
"What kind of consequences?" I asked sharply.
"Likely a one-day suspension. And we'll be arranging a mediation session between the girls involved."
Clara gasped.
"Suspended? That's not fair! She started it!"
"Clara," I warned, giving her a look.
Mr. Lewis's voice stayed calm but firm. "Fairness means both sides take responsibility. We will also be addressing the other student's behavior, I assure you."
Clara slumped in her chair, muttering under her breath.
I reached over, placing a hand on her arm. "Clara, look at me."
She did, reluctantly.
"I get it. I really do. But you can't let people's words control your actions. You're stronger than that. Do you hear me?"
Her lips trembled, but she nodded faintly.
Mr. Lewis said..."Mary, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Do you support this course of action?"
I drew in a breath, torn between anger, pride, and fear.
Mr. Lewis leaned forward, his tone measured.
"Mrs. Collins, I believe we've come to the best conclusion for now. Clara will serve a one-day suspension. She may return the day after tomorrow. I'll also be scheduling a mediation session between her and the other student."
I nodded slowly, even though my chest still felt tight. "Thank you, Vice principal, I'll take her home."
He turned to Clara.
"Go and collect your belongings. Your sister will be waiting for you outside."
Clara stood reluctantly, her bag strap slipping from her shoulder.
"Fine."
I gave her a small look—part warning, part comfort—before stepping out of the office. The hallway felt quieter than before.
I leaned against the wall, my arms folded, watching the office door.
A few minutes later, it opened, and Clara stepped out with her bag. Her eyes weren't on me, though. She froze, staring straight down the hall.
I followed her gaze.
There, clustered by the lockers, were three girls. They leaned together, whispering. The one in the middle—sharp-eyed, smug—had a small plaster across her lip. When she noticed Clara, she smirked faintly and tilted her chin, as though daring her to react.
Clara's shoulders tensed.
"Don't," I said firmly, stepping closer.
Her fists clenched around the strap of her bag. "They're laughing at me."
"I know," I said quietly. "But you already proved your point. Walk away."
She bit her lip but nodded, finally pulling her gaze from them.
We had just reached the glass doors when a voice called, "Clara!"
We turned.
A boy jogged up the hallway, a neat stack of books in his arms. His hair was a little messy, his tie loosened, but there was a boyish charm about him that was hard to miss.
"You forgot these in class," he said, holding the books out. His eyes lingered on her face in a way that was impossible not to notice.
Clara's cheeks warmed. She took the books quickly. "Thanks, Noah."
I arched a brow, watching the exchange. The look in his eyes was too soft, too certain.
"Boyfriend?" I asked casually.
Both of them froze. Clara whipped her head toward me, wide-eyed. "Mary!"
Noah's lips twitched into a grin he tried—and failed—to hide.
Clara shook her head furiously, clutching the books to her chest. "He's not my boyfriend!"
"Mhm." I gave her a knowing look but said nothing more.
Clara groaned.
"Can we just go now?"
Noah chuckled under his breath. "See you later, Clara."
As we stepped out into the California sunlight, I didn't press further. But the way Noah's eyes followed her all the way out? That said everything I needed to know.