School of the Damned

-Third Person POV-

Andy folded his arms and glared at Kyle, the school bully, while leaning back in his chair with a sigh, crossing his legs. Footsteps broke the silence as the principal entered the room.
“Andrew Biersack and Kyle Sanderson. Why am I not surprised,” she groaned, taking her usual seat behind the dark, wooden desk placed in the front of her office, which was painted an ugly shade of washed-out blue. “Now, what was it this time?” She asked, shuffling some papers and files that she seemed to always pull out of thin air and re-adjusting her glasses.
“I’d like to report a serious case of bullying for the third time this month,” Andy stated calmly. “Hopefully you’ll listen this time.”
“Cut to the chase, Biersack,” she said.
“Fine,” he snapped, irritated by everyone. “I came to school yesterday morning to find my locker covered in notes labeled ‘emo,’ ‘fag,’ ‘kill yourself,’ and several rude remarks about my sexuality. Oh, fun fact: That is hate crime, which is illegal. So is telling someone to kill themselves, because it is considered encouraging suicide, and if the person actually does commit suicide, the provoker will be charged with manslaughter and given a $25,000 fine, as well as a possible visit to prison. Just something to think about. Back on track, however, I tore down the messages and told Kyle to quit doing it. He then felt threatened enough by my simple request to instigate a fight after school, in which I participated only for the means of self-defense. So, Mrs. Nolan, does this count as bullying for you?” Andy finished, thinking for sure that justice would win out this time. It had to. The principal held up a finger.
“Questions first. So, Andrew-”
“Andy.” She rolled her eyes.
“Andy, are you publically out about your orientation? If so, you have to expect these kinds of things to happen.”
“First of all, you cannot just say something like that to a student, it is your job and responsibility as principal to keep everyone safe. Second of all, hell no, I’m not that stupid. I was on a date with my boyfriend last year, no where near the school, might I add, when Kyle and his friends saw us and spread the news around. The bullying was bad enough last year that he moved away and lost contact with me. Any other questions?” Andy spat, angry and frustrated to death that he was being forced to have this conversation. Mrs. Nolan appeared surprised, but regained her cool in a matter of seconds.
“Yes, actually. I’m afraid I have to ask Kyle’s point of view on the matter of the recent incident.”
“Andy approached my friends and I this morning while we were discussing important football tactics for the team and accused us of putting notes on his locker, when we didn’t. As we were leaving school, he attacked us,” Kyle lied innocently with a sickly sweet smile.
“Liar,” Andy retorted.
“Quiet, Biersack. Questions first. Who is ‘us,’ Kyle?” Finally, something fair! Andy thought in relief.
“My friends and I.”
“And how many of them were with you when Andy became violent?”
“Four.” Mrs. Nolan clicked her tongue.
“Four strong guys on the school football team couldn’t handle one scrawny boy? No wonder we’re losing this season. Come on, Sanderson, he’s practically a long twig!” Andy felt a strange combination of being insulted and gratitude at this comment, but this was the closest thing he’d ever witnessed to Kyle getting punished. Kyle looked down, choosing not to say anything. “Let me see your injuries, both of you.” Andy reached into his pocket to pull out a tissue and a tiny mirror, feeling self-conscious and slightly embarrassed as he wiped away all of his concealer and eyeliner to reveal a misshapen shadow on his jaw, black holes around his eyes, knuckle scraps on his cheeks. Kyle simply rolled up his sleeves to show a couple of marks here and there. Mrs. Nolan stared at them in shock, unbelieving that one, she was wrong, and two, just how beat up Andy was.
“Does this count as bullying enough for you?” Andy asked softly, tucking away the little mirror with a short click. Silence filled the room.
“I will be contacting both of your parents,” Mrs. Nolan said at last, finding her speechless voice. “Andy, please follow me to the back room,” she added, standing up and walking out. Andy left, glad to be out of Kyle’s sight. Mrs. Nolan turned to him.
“Andrew Biersack, I want you out of this school.”
“What?!” He exploded in disbelief. How could this be happening?! “You’re still blaming me for all of this? I can’t believe you would-oh my god, I-”
“I’m not expelling you, I am strongly advising that you leave for your own safety. This school-and me, mostly-took far too long to address these issues, which I deeply apologize for. They are much more concerning than I originally assumed. Even now that I’m aware of what’s going on, we cannot protect you outside of school. Of course, Kyle and his friends-though him in particular-will be punished severely for their actions against you, but other than those consequences, I do not have the power to take things any farther. If he beats you up like that more than you’re letting on, I would most definitely leave the school. You can take your things and go home, Andy. I truly am sorry,” she apologized. Andy gave a sigh of relief. Maybe his parents really would let him switch schools. He certainly hoped so. “I also never would have suspected Kyle of such a thing. His parents are in the PTA, he gets straight As, I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head.
“Well, Mrs. Nolan, I guess you’ve learned something important from this: There’s more than one kind of makeup, but both, whether physical or metaphorical, are used to hide something,” Andy stated curtly before leaving, grabbing his backpack and avoiding Kyle’s gaze as he began his walk to the nearest bus stop.

Notes