Alessia stepped out from behind the two of them and came to stand confidently at Brendan’s side. Zachary knew now wasn’t the time to hold her back. Though worry flickered in his eyes, he let go and allowed Alessia to speak her mind, bold and unafraid.
“I saw it, in as day,” she said, turning the usation back on Ignatius with a calm that caught him off guard. She squared her shoulders and looked to Ignatius’s friend. “You saw it too, didn’t you?”
His friend hesitated, looking torn, his eyes fixed on the floor. He stammered, but no words came.
A hush fell over the gathering crowd, whispers passing between them. Ignatius’s frustration was palpable–he red at his friend, jaw clenched.
“So, what now?” Alessia continued coolly. “Want me to open up the container and show everyone? If there’s nothing there, you’ll pack up all these leftover sandwiches aspensation for wasting our time and reputation. Or would you rather I report you for nder? Which is it?”
She stood there, unruffled, in stark contrast to Ignatius’s barely contained fury.
“Why bother with some food safety hotline?” she added, her tone almost yful. “Let’s just call the police–save everyone some time. We’ll see if it’s really a hygiene issue, or if someone’s just spreading rumors out of spite.”
As she spoke, Alessia dialed the number, putting the call on speaker for all to hear. The crowd leaned in, holding their breath; eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Ring… ring… ring…
Ignatius swallowed hard, his resolve faltering. Just as the third ring sounded, he lunged to snatch the phone away from Alessia. But she was ready–she dodged back, ending the call in one smooth motion.
Brendan moved in instantly, stepping protectively in front of Alessia, arms crossed behind his back, blocking Ignatius’s path.
It was clear to anyone watching who was telling the truth.
Ignatius’s face darkened. His friend tugged at his sleeve, but he shook him off with a sharp jerk.
“What’s everyone crowding around for? Am I missing something?” Pierce’s voice
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rang out as he muscled his way through the spectators. He stumbled into the circle, nearly losing his bnce.
“Hey, watch it! Who shoved me?” Pierce steadied himself, ready to re back at whoever had pushed him–only to find himself staring straight at Ignatius.
“Well, look who it is–the eternal third ce,” Pierce teased with a smirk.
“Ignatius!” Ignatius’s voice was tight with rage, his mrs grinding.
“I heard your school’s only letting Zacharypete this year. Lost by a single point, huh? What a shame,” Pierce said, oblivious to Ignatius’s deepening scowl.
“Zachary,” Alessia chimed in, feigning surprise, “looks like some people just can’t handleing in second and have to stir up trouble instead.”
“Alessia?” Pierce blurted out, then caught himself and stepped back, realizing the
tension in the air.
“Ignatius, if you have concerns about the scores or my participation, I’ll walk with you to the faculty office and we can clear it up with the teachers,” Zachary said, his tone even. “So what are you doing here, making a scene?”
The conversation had long since drifted from the supposed hygiene problem. Now, all eyes were on Ignatius, who looked around at the crowd whispering and pointing at him. In a fit of anger, he lunged at Zachary–but Pierce was quicker, pinning him to the ground with practiced ease.
Kids from their background were all taught a bit of self–defense. Ignatius, scrawny as he was, didn’t even put up much of a fight.
“Let me go!” Ignatius roared, thrashing to no avail.
Unbothered, Pierce called out, “Hey, Mrs. Thompson, those sandwiches you made this morning were awesome. Can I get another, maybe the super–sized one this
time?”
Karen, still rattled by themotion, nodded absently and began assembling the
sandwich.
“Anyone else want to check the bins for flies?” Pierce asked, grinning. “Or would you rather try the seaweed wraps that helped make Crestview High’s top student?”
The crowdughed, the tension breaking, and Ignatius’s us
The crowdughed, the tension breaking, and Ignatius’s usations faded into nothing but a bad memory.