Principal Jeffery paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.
“All four of you were meant to face expulsion. That was the standing decision until today. But that fight, as terrible as it was, showed us something. It showed us that someone—at least one of you—understands the weight of what happened.”
He folded his arms behind his back.
“So here’s what will happen. You will all be suspended for three weeks. And when you return, the three of you—Eric, Derrick, and James—will relieve every janitor in this school for one week. Bathrooms. Classrooms. Offices. No exceptions.”
A few gasps moved through the hall, but no one dared speak.
Then, at that exact moment, Noah began adjusting his bloodstained shirt, his shoulders relaxing slightly as if preparing to stand and walk out.
Princ
