The look on his face. I think he knows something. Ayana pulled out her phone. The grocery store is just a few blocks away. Should we go talk to him?
Already texted him. Marcus said he gets off work at 5. Said he'd meet us here. While they waited, they sorted through the information they'd gathered. Ms.
Patel had slipped Ayana an envelope during their brief encounter that morning filled with copies of old incident reports and email exchanges. "Look at this," Ayana said, spreading out the papers. "3 years ago, Miss Patel reported Tyler for harassing a student in her class. The complaint vanished and she got called in for a performance review. Marcus whistled low.
No wonder she's being careful now, but she's still helping. The doorbell rang at exactly 5:00. Elijah Carter stood on the porch, still in his work uniform, his shoulders hunched as if trying to make himself smaller. "Come in," Marcus said warmly. "Want a cookie? " "My mom made them. " Elijah managed a small smile and took one, perching nervously on the edge of a kitchen chair.
"I can't stay long. My mom's expecting me home. We understand, Ayana said gently. We just want to hear your story. If you're willing to tell it, Elijah was quiet for a long moment, crumbling the cookie between his fingers.
It started sophomore year, he finally said. I got the highest score on a math test. Tyler didn't like that. He and his friends started small, knocking books out of my hands accidentally, spilling drinks on my homework. His voice grew quieter.
Then they found out my dad was sick, that we were struggling with medical bills. They started spreading rumors that I was selling drugs to pay for his treatment. Left threatening notes in my locker. My car got vandalized in the school parking lot. Did you report it?
Marcus asked. Though they all knew the answer. Three times, Elijah said bitterly. Each time the complaints disappeared. The vice principal said there wasn't enough evidence.
Then Tyler's dad showed up at my house one evening talking about how he'd heard about my father's medical situation. How tragic it would be if my dad lost his insurance coverage. Ayana felt sick. They threatened your father's healthcare. Elijah nodded.
The next day, I dropped all my advanced classes, stopped participating. It was easier to disappear than to fight. But you're here now, Marcus said. Why? Because I saw what they did to you, Ayana.
And what happened after? It's the same pattern, the same threats. Someone needs to stop them. He pulled out his phone. I kept everything.