Chapter 33
Amber
I’m already standing outside the admin building when the school secretary opens the door early Monday morning. Taking a seat outside Mr. Williams’s office, I wait, with an extra tight grip on my phone.
I jump to my feet. “Principal Williams, I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”
He stops, looking at me as if I appeared out of nowhere. “Ah, now is not a good time, Amber. Can you speak to someone else about this? Your Head of House perhaps? I have a very important matter to deal with this morning.”
I clear my throat and try my best to sound assertive. “No sir, it can’t wait. I insist.”
Williams puffs loudly then continues into his office. I’m not sure if that’s a yes, but I follow him anyway. Williams places his briefcase down and takes off his coat while I stand awkwardly and wait.
Finally, he turns and raises his eyebrows. “Hurry up then, what is it?”
Opening my photo gallery, I tap play on the video then turn the screen towards him. The video clearly shows Jake and Troy in Mr. Sinclair’s classroom, writing those awful words. I don’t know who took the video, but it was circulating around campus Thursday afternoon, and I immediately saved a copy.
It’s almost fun watching Principal Williams’s face burn with suppressed rage followed by some very poorly hidden panic. I suck my lips in between my teeth to stop myself from smiling. Stupid old, homophobic boomer.
He knows this changes everything, but I doubt he’ll go down without a fight.
Although it’s incredibly satisfying to know my suspicions were right: the terrible treatment of my favourite teacher is coming from the very top. What’s that saying about the fish that rots from the head or something? A rotting fish is the perfect simile for Principal Williams for sure.
On Thursday afternoon, I’d overheard kids talking about what happened.
About Mr. Sinclair leaving class upset and then being spotted with Mr. Turner in this very office.
Mr. Sinclair didn’t even come into work on Friday, so in the afternoon, I’d stopped by the footy match to see if Jake and Troy were playing.
They were, and that concluded my investigation.
“Mr. Williams,” I say when the video finishes.
“If you don’t do the right thing by Mr. Sinclair and if you don’t punish those boys, then I will be posting this on social media.
I will front up to the school board meeting and show it there, too.
And I will tell everyone that you knew who did this and took no action.
You might think I’m just some shy little girl who has no power, but you would be wrong, Mr. Williams. I’ve had a great teacher showing me what it means to be brave, and his name is Mr. Sinclair. ”
I slip my phone back into my pocket, then pull my pride pin from the inside of my jacket.
Mr. Williams is mid-rant, telling me I can’t speak to him that way, cannot threaten him, and that I’ll be expelled.
Ignoring him, I pin the pride badge on the front of my blazer lapel and pat my chest to get his attention.
He finally stops talking and stares at it, then at me.
His nostrils flare, making his face all the uglier.
Lifting my chin high, I say with a strong and steady voice, “We’re everywhere, Mr Williams, and we’re not going to take it anymore.”
I turn and stride out of the office with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. I did it! And, for the first time in my life, I truly understand the meaning of LGBTQIA+ pride.