Medal in Hand: A Stand for Justice

Louis helped me up from the floor and said with forced patience, "The Flemings have money and influence while you're just an ordinary citizen. You can't fight them.

"Just sign the statement, take the compensation, and let it go. If you keep pushing, you'll only damage the school's reputation. What impression will this leave on other parents?"

I was stunned. Giselle had been bullied, yet the principal's immediate concern was the school's image, not justice. I could hardly believe such words were coming from an educator.

Giselle had been hospitalized from the abuse, and now Louis spoke of compensation as if that could put an end to it.

Shouldn't the bullies be punished?

When he saw that I wouldn't give in, Louis' patience snapped. "They were already willing to pay you. What more do you want? Do you really have to drive them to their deaths?"

Then, he coldly pulled a file from his briefcase and hurled it at me. "If you refuse to sign the statement, Giselle will no longer be welcome at this school."

I couldn't believe my ears. To protect the bullies, he was threatening to expel Giselle. But what gave him the right to?

"The Flemings have a judge in the family," Louis added with a sneer. "The law is on their side, and you'll never win in court. Besides, the school isn't about to risk offending children of powerful families for the sake of one poor student."

I held Giselle's file and leaned against the cold wall of the corridor, an indescribable heaviness pressing down on me.

We had done nothing wrong. So, why were the victims the ones who had to suffer?