So, Dirk hadn’t done anything to Celeste all week, and had left me alone as well. I think it's also the fact that he would be expelled the next time he caused trouble. Without Dirk acting as ringleader, the pressure on me has dropped off to almost nothing.
What’s more, people started to treat Celeste a lot better. I think a lot of kids finally realized that what Dirk and his friends were doing was no longer “harmless” teasing. Celeste being sent to the hospital woke up a lot of people.
Within that first day, kids starting saying hi to Celeste in the halls. Others offered to help her with her books, or asked if she needed help. Celeste was mystified by the positive attention, but she reacted well.
I’m still not on speaking terms with my old friends, but my new friends make up for it.
I’
