Chapter 48

As soon as James saw what was happening, he rushed forward to the reporters and began adding screenshots from the group chats as evidence to be used.

"The public opinion will be on our side. That's why I thought having the reporters here was the best option," Lucas said, his eyes gleaming with confidence as he explained our plan. I couldn't help but admire his determination and leadership.

What Lucas was implying made perfect sense.

If a lot of students had faced the brunt of Jessica's bullying, it meant there would be a groundswell of support against her.

The reporters' presence would amplify the issue and put the spotlight on her actions, ensuring that the truth came to light.

"You're kinda smart sometimes," I teased, knowing full well that Lucas was intelligent and resourceful.

"Sometimes?" he replied with a mock offended tone. "All the time."

As we returned to school the next day, I felt a mix of apprehension and hope. I wondered how our efforts to expose Jessica had impacted the school. Were people finally seeing the truth? Would the dean finally take decisive action against those involved in the harassment and bullying?

It frustrated me that our society still placed so much emphasis on status and appearances. It seemed deeply unfair that I, and others like me, could face consequences merely for not being born into an Alpha family.

However, amid this challenging environment, I found solace in friends like Lucas and James, who treated everyone with respect and never made me feel lesser because of my background.

As I walked towards my first class, the stares and whispers from my peers made me uneasy.

I wondered if they were reacting to what happened yesterday.

I looked around for Lucas, but he was nowhere to be found. He was probably busy training with the hockey team or in the gym.

As the day progressed, I noticed that Jessica and her followers were conspicuously absent from the classroom.

Half of the seats were empty, and it seemed like they had left the school.

A girl sitting in front of me turned around, her eyes full of curiosity. "Did you hear?"

"Hear what?" I replied, genuinely intrigued.

"Jessica and all her followers dropped out of school this morning."

"They dropped out?" I was surprised, expecting them to be expelled.

The girl nodded. "That's all that I heard. Apparently, it was because of all the news coverage that broke out this morning. Nobody is happy about it."

I chewed on my bottom lip, realizing that our plan had indeed succeeded.

Eager to share the news with Lucas, I quickly sent him a text:

Me: Did you hear the news?

My phone buzzed immediately with a reply from Lucas:

Lucas: I was just going to text you! I told you it would work! We'll talk more later.

Throughout the rest of the day, I found myself bombarded with students approaching me, offering their opinions and thoughts on the situation.

But there was one recurring comment that left me feeling uneasy.

"You're lucky you're friends with Lucas."

"You're lucky you have a Busch on your side."

"It's a good thing that Lucas likes you."

While I appreciated their support for Lucas, these statements reduced our friendship to mere luck, overlooking the true bond we shared.

I knew our friendship went beyond social status, and hearing it being emphasized repeatedly made me uncomfortable.

Suddenly, my teacher received a phone call and ordered me to go to the dean's office. As I walked towards the dean's office, my palms began to sweat with anxiety.

I wondered what the dean wanted from me now, as I was certain I hadn't done anything wrong.

Just as I was about to open the dean's office door, Lucas turned the corner of the hallway, heading towards me.

"You got called to the dean's office too?" I asked, hoping to share this moment with him.

He nodded, his expression resolute. "I have a sinking suspicion this is about the reporters."

My anxiety heightened. "Do you think we'll get expelled?"

Lucas placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I won't let that happen," he said, his determination evident.

With Lucas leading the way, we entered the dean's office and took our seats.

"I'm sure you both know why I called you here," the dean said, his gaze sharp. "Your actions yesterday were impulsive and caused a lot of negative press for our school. Angry parents have been calling, demanding change. I was even threatened with termination due to negligence."

Lucas didn't back down. "We stand by our actions. What Jessica did was unacceptable, and it's time to address the bullying issue in this school."

Lucas's words were direct and unapologetic. It was clear he had a strong sense of justice and was willing to stand up for what was right.

The dean fell into contemplation, absorbing Lucas's words, and their weight.

"As much as I'm not satisfied with how this situation played out," Lucas continued, "I do love this school and have respect for it. That's why I want to bring some positivity back to Shadow High's image through our hockey team. We're still undefeated, and people love the Dragons."

The dean acknowledged Lucas's idea, a sign that his words were resonating.

"As an administrator and leader for our school," Lucas emphasized, "I hope that from here on out, you can treat all of your students fairly and punish those who are destructive towards others. Shana isn't pressing charges or as furious as she could be, but I won't hesitate to take things a step further if I see injustice."

Lucas's unwavering determination, paired with a touch of warning, showed the dean just how committed he was to protecting me and ensuring a fair and just environment for all students.

As we left the office, I turned to Lucas, feeling a surge of gratitude for his support.

"That went better than I thought it would," I said.

Lucas sighed. "I think he realizes he messed up."

I nodded in agreement. "I don't think he's a bad person. He was just too focused on the school's reputation rather than the students' well-being."

Lucas's expression softened. "The students should always be the top priority. Reputations can change, but the impact we have on people's lives matters most. That's why I reminded him of his true responsibility – the students."

As I processed his words, I couldn't help but feel admiration for Lucas's principles and integrity.

"I can't believe this is finally over," I said, relief flooding through me. "I won't have to worry about Jessica trying to fight me anymore."

Lucas smirked. "I thought you were starting to turn into a wrestler with all those fights."

"It kind of felt like that sometimes," I joked, grateful to have Lucas by my side through it all.

"Well, I, for one, am glad it's over. Now, we can just enjoy Winter Formal," Lucas said, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

The Winter Formal – it was almost here, and I couldn't help but feel excitement.

I hoped that it would be a drama-free and enjoyable night, a chance for Lucas and me to finally relax and have fun after everything we had been through.

But... I couldn't stop the nervous butterflies in my stomach.