You have to talk about it.

She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. She had to uncross them to sign. I don't want a therapist.

I'm your brother. Just think of me as your brother brother, okay?

She sighed. I told you what happened yesterday. I have Faith and Levi. I'm okay.

You've been through hell and back these last few years. Saturday was the last straw. Yes, people in your life can help you, but sometimes it's deeper than that. You could develop PTSD. PTSD is just a normal reaction to something abnormal.

I just want to be okay, Don. With all of your college knowledge, tell me something. Is there any way to make me okay? Is there any cure? Will I ever be okay again? She hugged herself tight and scooted further into her corner of the couch.

Her brother frowned, sitting on the other half of the couch and watching her. That morning, he had insisted putting his college training to use. He wanted to help her in any way possible, and this was the one way that he knew he could. Lennox knew that. She was thankful that she had a brother who wanted to help her be okay, but a part of her didn't want to admit anything was wrong.

You know there is no magic cure. Okay is something that varies from person to person. Okay isn't where I want you to be. I want you to be great, but it'll take time. I won't always be here in person, but I will try my best.

She nodded, pursing her lips. What do I do?

Ever since Isla, you were angry. Did you maybe try writing your feelings down.

She thought back to the short story she had began writing the week before and had never finished. Now, there was so much more to add, and it sort of had a conclusion. At least, she had sorted out her true friends and had them by her side. She counted that as sorted out.

I did. It felt great, actually. I just don't know about writing about myself.

Her brother smiled. Do it. Do it, and tell me how you feel. I want you to write down every last detail from Isla to now. Tell your story, Lennox. You've always loved short stories; make this your best one.

That advice actually didn't seem that horrible to her. Okay, I'll do it. She pulled her big brother into a hug. A part of her knew he was right. A part of her knew something would have to give. A part of her knew she had to explore the shattered part of herself before she could piece it make together. This would be a start; getting it all out. Instead of ignoring her mental health, instead of ignoring how broken she was, she would keep working until she was stronger than she ever was before. When had her older brother gotten so wise?

✌️

It took her all of Thanksgiving break to write. It wasn't because it ended up being very long. It was just because she wrote it when she wasn't eating Thanksgiving dinner with her family or hanging with the people she cared about. Also, sometimes she found herself staring at the page and having to force herself to write. Sometimes she didn't know how to word something. However, she never gave up.

Just for the heck of it, she decided to print out the story the Sunday before she had to go back to school. Donovan had just left to go back to college, and she was determined to bring his therapy to life. The 'story' wasn't too long, and it felt nice to hold in her hands. This was her story. This was everything she had thought would break her, but it didn't. She wouldn't let it.

Nora walked into her room. She didn't even bother to knock. She just stood beside Lennox at her desk and stared down at the front page. Lennox stiffened as she watched her sister's eyes gloss over the page.

"You have to share this with the school."

"What?!" She exclaimed. She stared up at her sister like she was insane.

"People should know your story. All of it. Not just what's on the news. Not just what's floating around social media. They need to read what Isla did to you. They need to know about Chad and Trey and everything. It's your word against theirs, but your words mean nothing if they're nonexistent."

Oddly, Lennox didn't feel opposed by the idea. She felt empowered. She felt in control. "Okay."

"Okay? I expected more of a fight," Nora admitted.

She shrugged. "It's my word against theirs, and it's time I make sure no one believes their lying words again."

Nora grinned. "Email me the file. I got this."

She sighed. Once Nora left the room, she complied.

✌️

She didn't see any of her offenders at school the next day, save Trey. Trey, who had made her go to the police station to give a statement once they found her. Trey, who almost got her arrested. Trey, who had messed with Faith. That's what upset her the most.

He didn't approach her or Faith as she met the latter at her locker. He seemed terrified of her, and she loved that.

Faith held up a stack of stapled papers and smiled. She set them under her arm so she could sign, I'm proud of you. You used your most powerful weapon: your words.

She smiled. "I think the most powerful weapon is friendship."

Faith grinned. Me too.

They headed to class, but were redirected to the gym for an assembly. They found a spot high on the bleachers. Voices buzzed all around them. Lennox saw students with copies of her story. She saw people reading it on their phones. She heard people talking about it with their friends. An immense sense of accomplishment filled her. If there was one thing she realized, it was that she was never going to get amazing revenge and have the bullies grovelling at her feet. This was her victory, and she didn't care about what happened next; not when she had Faith and Levi by her side. Not when she had Nora, Donovan, and her parents.

The principal stood below. "Students, your attention, please!" He used a microphone he held to his lips so everyone could hear him. "A few things happened over the break, and these things involved the law."

Murmurs arose, but were quickly shushed.

Lennox could've sworn the principal's gaze was dead set on her.

"Isla, my daughter, was just released from the hospital. The school district had forced me to expel her for her actions." His jaw tightened, and Lennox smirked. "You all know what happened because someone passed around this garbage." He waved around a copy of her story, and his anger made her happy. "I can't deny this student's freedom of press, but I personally find this an outrage and disrespect of privacy."

"Who's privacy?" Someone called.

"Where was your privacy when your daughter bullied Lennox Stockly?"

The principal's face turned red. "That's enough."

"I think it is enough." A smartly dressed woman walked in and snatched the microphone. "As your superintendent, I will not stand for this behavior to be ignored. I will not stand here and give this man a paycheck to allow students to almost die."

She stared straight through her glasses at the principal. "You're fired."

He gawked at her. "Mary, you can't-"

"Get out."

He did, leaving the bold woman the floor. "A lot of investigation has gone into this. I would like to take Ms. Stockly's example and stand for a change."

People applauded, Lennox included. She didn't plan to start any kind of change, but she guessed she did.

"Isla and Brandi will be serving time in prison for their actions. Chad will be out on parole, sadly," the lady stated, scrunching her nose at the last part. "You're dismissed, but please report any unhonorable behavior to me immediately. I will sit in as principal until further notice."

____

Andddd I'll save the sap for the epilogue author's note, but it's overrrrrr.

Thoughts on the book as a whole?

-Sarah