A few days later, the tension didn't fade.
It doubled.
All the students were called to meet with Principal Drewen and their parents.
Julia arrived first, accompanied by her older sister since their parents were out of town. One by one, the others followed--Quinly included. Sylvian came with both of his parents, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. Akiel arrived last, his father beside him, looking cold, irritated, and visibly annoyed at having canceled an important meeting for what he clearly considered school drama.
The parents and guardians were initially left alone with Principal Drewen. He gave a short overview of what took place during the special school event. There was a disturbance, a fight, and the resulting damage to the school's reputation.
Not long afterwards, the students were summoned.
Some people squirmed in their chairs, while others overcompensated for their nerves by attempting to appear nonchalant, Akiel stole a nervous peek at Sylvian, but the look revealed none of his fear or apprehension. Julia, on the other hand, was giving Quinly sharp glances that could cut glass, and no words were needed to see the hatred there.
The principal began asking questions.
Who started it?
How did it escalate?
What was the reason?
There were a few students who deliberately dodged the truth, manipulating their responses, especially Quinly and her friends. They chose to be victims, pointing fingers wherever they could.
It was at this time that Sylvian made a calm. Flat. Emotionless statement,
"This is all because of them," he said, "the beginnings of the fight were sparked by them because of this petty rumor that got out of control."
Quinly instantly protested. She had never heard "no" in her life, and to be found at fault—to be put in her place before all these people and authorities—was not in her repertoire.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she sobbed that Sylvian was lying. That he had attacked first. That he had spread rumors about her.
Sylvian stood his ground and kept repeating it wasn't true.
Then Quinly snapped
"Could you please be quiet?" she yelled. "Sylvian, will you at least let me justify my actions? And to be truthful, who gave you the right to talk in this office when you brought your adoptive parents here?"
The silence was deafening.
"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" she went on. "Oh, that's right. A person who was never shown proper love and care since childhood would not understand what shame is. And still, you pose strong--emotionally, physically--while it takes just one word to shatter you. What was that again?" She simpered while tilting her head. "Ah yes. You are an orphan."
Julia shot to her feet.
"Really now, have you not overstated the case," she hissed, indicating Quinly. "What the relevance of his private life is in this meeting? If he is not able to strike you, then I certainly can. After all, we are girls, aren't we? So instead of the past of someone, let's discuss the present issue."
The Sylvian froze still.
Quinly's thoughtless remarks wounded the Sylvian as he had not prepared himself for such a response. He kept quiet. In contrast, his mother and father were already very upset. His father was tight-lipped, making a mental note to speak to the principal about Quinly's conduct in private.
Julia was still fuming, making life hell for Quinly openly till Principal Drewen cut in with the raised voice.
"Enough."
The room was engulfed in silence.
The principal sighed heavily. The pressure showed on his face--too many conflicting stories, too many consequences to weigh. In the end, he declared it their final warning. Any further trouble involving the same people or the same issue would result in expulsion or extended detention.
When the adults retreated for a final discussion, the students were sent outside.
Without hesitation, Julia grabbed Quinly's hair and hit her hard on the face.
The initial slap was immediately followed by another.
Julia was ready to go even further--to ruin the perfect, haughty face--but Sylvian prevented her and held her back.
"I'll give you the last warning," Julia whispered venomously at Quinly. "Disappeared. And if you tell anyone about this, it will be worse for you next time."
Quinly with her friends hurriedly exited the hall.
Akiel was on the side, silent, not able to look at Sylvian. Guilt weighed him down. Every time he tried to speak, his words got stuck in his throat. He was quiet, afraid of making things worse--afraid that Julia might turn her wrath on him too.
That night, Sylvian stayed with his parents.
Upon arriving back home, Sylvian's mother, Ms. Sae-Byeok, had chosen to not look him in the eye since she did not know how to help him feel better. Finally, she decided on to speak,
"Whenever you hear someone say something like that to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us or feel free to ignore it. They are trying to get attention from people and who respond to their ego's. But, if it ever gets too serious for you, please promise me that you will come to us."
She then smiled at him gently and told him to "For now, rest."
Mr. Ansel, Sylvian's father showed agreement about what was being discussed.
After going to sleep, Sylvian had an expression of happiness and had a feeling of embarrassment and wanted to disappear. However, his mother's words stayed with him and have provided him with comfort and security.
Akiel was now lying on his back on the ceiling of the very large apartment he rented and could see the dark, glimmering horizon of the city lit by the light of the moon.
He felt guilty. Awful. Ashamed.
His mother called him five times, and he finally answered her call.
When he answered the phone, it was obvious that his mother was disappointed because he was in trouble again. He chose to be quiet and listen to her talk. After she finished talking, he hung up and closed his eyes, wishing the mattress just swallow him up already.
The silence around him felt many times heavier than all the reprimands he had just heard..