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.
He looked at me and said, "Miss Collins, 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, Vice Principal. But my sister _she's okay right?.
He sighed. She's okay. But she had a fight with one of the girls in her class ;And... ".
" A fight "... I broke in before he could finish.
"I 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.
"Sir, 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 fighting her was the answer?" I asked softly, struggling 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."
The vice principal leaned forward, folding his hands.
"Miss Collins, we're not dismissing Clara's feelings. But we can't condone her response. There will need to be consequences." He said.
"What kind of consequences?" I asked sharply.
"Likely a one or two days suspension. And we'll be arranging a mediation session between the girls involved."
Clara gasped.
"Suspension? That's not fair! She started it!"
"Clara," I warned, giving her a look.
The vice principal'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.
The vice principal asked me..."Miss Collins, 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. I wanted to speak my mind, to defend my sister fully, but I forced myself to stay calm.
"I know my sister is sorry for what happened," I said quietly. "She doesn't usually get involved in other people's space, and I apologize for any trouble she may have caused."
He leaned forward again, his tone measured.
"Miss. Collins, I believe we've come to the best conclusion for now. Clara will serve two days suspension. 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."
When I saw my sister's face, I knew she was hurt, and there was a flicker of betrayal in her eyes. It wasn't just the fight—something deeper had cut her, and I wished I could take it all away.
The vice principal turned to Clara.
"Go and collect your belongings. Your sister will be waiting for you outside."
Clara stood reluctantly.
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 sunlight, I didn't press further. But the way boy's eyes followed her all the way out? That said everything I needed to know.
The sun was blazing, reflecting off the cars lined in neat rows. Clara walked beside me, hugging the books Noah had given her to her chest, her bag slung carelessly on one shoulder.
For a moment, she was quiet, her eyes darting back toward the building. Then she sighed, a small laugh escaping her.
"You really didn't have to step in like that," she murmured.
I smirked, pressing the car remote so the lights blinked.
"Of course, I did. You're my sister. And honestly?" I nudged her shoulder playfully. "You did well in there."
Clara's brows shot up.
"Wait—you mean… you're not mad?"
I pulled open the car door.
"Mad? Sure, a little. But proud? Definitely. We Collins don't take crap from anyone."
She laughed then, a real laugh that bubbled up and made her eyes light up again. It eased some of the tension sitting heavy in my chest.
Sliding into the driver's seat, I turned to her.
"So… are you going to tell me about him?"
Her eyes widened.
"Who?"
"Come on, Clara, don't play dumb. You know who." I started the car, raising a brow at her.
She looked away quickly, staring out the window as though the palm trees outside had suddenly become fascinating.
"You mean Noah?" she said finally, her voice high-pitched with denial.
"Oh no, come on, Mary. He's just a friend."
I chuckled, pulling out of the space.
"Uh-huh. Sure. Just a friend who looks at you like you're the only person in the hallway."
She groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"You're impossible."
"And you're blushing," I teased, glancing at her before merging onto the main road. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. For now."
"Mary!" she whined, half laughing, half serious.
I grinned, letting the subject drop—for the moment.
Just then, my phone rang through the car's Bluetooth. Tyla's name flashed on the screen.
I pressed the button on the steering wheel.
"Hey, Tyla. How's everything holding up?"
"Busy as ever," her crisp voice came through. "I've rescheduled Mrs. Hanley's facial for tomorrow since you're out. Kyle finished with the other client and is moving on to your appointment with Harry. I've got the desk covered, no worries."
"Good," I said, easing the car carefully past a police cruiser parked at the corner. I made sure to keep right to the speed limit. The last thing I needed today was a ticket.
"Any issues so far?"
"Well," she hesitated, "Richard's name came up—one of the clients mentioned him while chatting with the team. I shut it down before it turned into gossip."
My grip tightened on the wheel, but I forced my voice to stay even. "Thanks, Tyla. I appreciate that."
"Of course. You just focus on what you are doing out there. I've got this."
I glanced at my sister, who was pretending not to listen but was obviously hanging on every word. "Alright. Call me if anything urgent comes up."
"Will do. Drive safe, Mary."
The call clicked off.
The rest of the drive was quiet, save for the hum of the engine and Clara flipping the corner of one of her books. Every now and then, I caught her sneaking glances at me, as if testing whether I'd push the Noah conversation again. I didn't. Not yet.
When we finally pulled into the driveway, our mother was already standing outside, arms folded, waiting. Her face was unreadable, but the tight line of her mouth told me enough.