Free Snitch by Kat Kirst Page B

said “ GIVE US N INCH .” But apart, Angela’s said, “ GIVE U . ”
    That left Kate standing in front of the whole school holding a sign that said, “S-N-INCH.”
    Mrs. Johnson, the school counselor, made a beeline over to Kate, grabbing her signs and leading her away. Miss Jacobs, the cheerleading coach, took Angela’s signs and motioned for the cheerleaders to stop.
    The cheerleaders were confused, but I saw what I saw.
    Everyone in the cheerleading line was clueless except Chrissy : Chrissy was beaming.
    As we were ushered back to our classes, the contrast between the students and the teachers was obvious. Kids were loud, their voices echoing my thoughts.
    “How could anyone do that?”
    “That was totally messed up!”
    Then I heard the opposite view .
    “That was awesome!”
    “Did you see that? S-n-n-n-itch!”
    Teachers, on the other hand , were quiet in an angry sort of way. Subtle, knowing looks were exchanged , and every time their eyes met they shook their heads in disbelief.
    We had been excused to our advisory classes and once there most kids spent the next ten minutes talking amongst themselves, but I watched Mr. Jones, my history teacher. His grim face let me know how angry he was, and his attention to his email alerted me to the fact that something was happening.
    I sat quietly by myself in the corner of the room waiting for the dismissal bell, watching everything play out, my stomach turning as I felt the weight of everything settle on my shoulders. Part of me didn’t want to see Liz and her ready anger, but the other part needed to help ease Kate’s embarrassment. Kate had become my friend, and she hadn’t done anything to deserve the public shame piled upon her.
    I tried to imagine what it felt like to be Kate. I knew what standing in front of the whole school felt like, but to be jeered instead of cheered was something I couldn’t even fathom.
    Mr. Perkin s ’ voice exploded from the intercom.
    “You need to sit down and listen!” Mr. Jones commanded.
    Even with all the hallway drama which accompanied the excitement of our pep assembly gone wrong and the dismissal bell about to ring, our class went pin-drop quiet and we took our seats to listen. We didn’t know what was coming; we just knew it was inevitable.
    “Ninth - grade students will report to advisory tomorrow before first period. Teachers, there will be a short meeting at 4:05 in the library after school today. Please do not be late.”
    The intercom popped off and Mr. Jones stood facing us, his arms folded, his face set in admonishment. This time everyone saw it.
    No one said a word until after the bell rang; our teachers were organizing.

 
Hate      Like       IDK                             
    Liz hadn’t answered my calls all night. Finally, she picked up.
    “I’ve called you about ten times!” I told her.
    “I’m sorry. I’m busy. I’m at Kate’s; she’s a mess.”
    “This whole thing is a mess.” My stomach tightened again, but I was glad Liz wasn’t angry with me or my friends.
    “I knew Chrissy was a bitch, but I didn’t know she was a psychotic one ! Mr. Perkins has been here trying to talk to Kate’s parents, but Kate has to interpret and she keeps breaking down. It’s horrible.”
    “Can I do anything?” I asked.
    “Just be t here for Kate, ” Liz paused. “Have you ever known anyone as hateful as Chrissy ? What’s wrong with her?”
    “She’s Chrissy . Making other people feel like shit is what she does best.”
    “Well, she went too far this time. Kate’s father is furious. He’s not going to let her come back to school for a while until things get sorted out. It’s weird; when he talks to Kate’s mom, he doesn’t make a sound, but I can hear him screaming just by watching him sign. Usually that’s when Kate’s mom starts crying , which makes him ‘scream’ even louder. He will get to the bottom of this , and we all know who planned it.