Zenon's Game Chapter 297

"Suspension and expulsion are on the table for everyone," she repeated, "Now you either confess or I'll have to determine who willingly participated in the bullying. We have witness statements that describe everything."

Jokes had died down now.

The boys had been so used to getting out of trouble; they knew how to work the system. But this time was different. Hate Kaden all we want, but Zenon hurt him on school grounds. I know Kaden had bad intentions, but you can't right a wrong with another wrong.

Arturo's dad asked respectfully, "How will you approach this, Principal?"

"I'll ask each of you to recount what happened. I'll have to separate you since I think there's a lot of peer pressure in this group," she said, staring directly at Zenon, "To be honest, it's not looking good for you kids. School records will be affected."

"You make them sound like they're guilty already," Mrs Albert criticized, though she sounded incredibly concerned.

Everyone seemed concerned. Finally. We needed to start giving this situation the attention it deserves.

"These kids are in serious trouble," the Principal replied to Mrs Albert, "I am not trying to be cruel to your children, but you have to understand that it is my job to make this school a safe place. We cannot have people being punched and thrown around a room. And if we can't settle this here today, we'll take it to the school board."

She took her seat behind the large desk, since Bryce's father was no longer occupying it. It creaked as she sat back. Everyone watched her collect her files into one stack, waiting for the next step. She had control.

Until Zenon spoke out.

With his arm resting against his chair, he calmly said, "It sounds like you haven't heard enough."

"Ssh," his mother whispered, trying to get him to lay low, "Zenon, now is not the time."

The Principal leaned forward, "You, young man, are in the worst position out of all your friends. I'd stay quiet if I were you."

"These witnesses have talked," Zenon replied, "So why can't I? I'm a witness too."

Principal Lee raised the picture of Kaden's bruised rib cage and arm, "Do you think this photo is a joke, Mr Albert?"

Dr Thomas gasped at the photo, "What is happening in this school?!"

Cynthia's mom leaned over to bring Dr Thomas and Gloria up to speed. The tension in the room was high as the gravity of the situation had finally come to grips with everyone.

Everyone except Zenon, apparently.

"Is this ridiculous to you, Zenon?" the Principal repeated, waving the picture emphatically.

"No," he answered and his sharp blue eyes kept a firm gaze on her, "But neither is accusing us without proper evidence. I'm willing to bet that your witnesses are two people," he said and pointed at the picture, "That's one. And I have a good idea who the other is."

Principal Lee lowered the picture, "Let me guess; your new plan is to intimidate the witnesses?"

Zenon took his time before he said the next part.

"No," he said, "But if you do your job properly, you'd collect statements from all the witnesses. There were a lot more people in that court today, other than the two who hate us. Why don't you ask around before you round us up and expel us?"

The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The Principal's nostrils flared while she digested the information. Her eyes shifted across the room as she looked at the parents, trying to judge their reaction.

Then, she asked, "Is there any reason the witnesses I have could be unreliable?"

Zenon shrugged, "Hard to say when you want to keep them anonymous, but if one of them is Candace's ex-boyfriend and the other is her former friend, then yes. There's a long list of reasons they could be unreliable."

Again, silence.

Coach Griffith took the cap off his head and scratched his bald patch. "Woah."

The silence continued for a long time. The Principal agreed to call in the other onlookers who had been at the basketball court this afternoon to hear their versions of the story.

We were not allowed to leave until then and Mr Albert had to cancel his 4pm appointment.

One by one we watched people enter the Principal's office, give their ten-minute account of what happened, and then leave. We sat beside our parents, not saying a word, while this took place.

And every single person we watched walk in... was part of the basketball team.

Zenon was standing by himself, leaning against a wall. His arms crossed over his chest and, again, his expression did not reveal much of what he was thinking.

He still looked calm about the whole situation, even though he'd delivered some very cold blows.

The Principal's door opened, and we heard her voice say, "Thank you for your statement."

"No problem," came the response before O'Conner walked out.

O'Conner walked down the hallway, wearing his basketball jersey, and keeping his eyes straight ahead. When he passed Zenon, I saw his right hand discretely move into the hook 'em horns sign.

Zenon's eyes glanced down at them and then away.

Those boys...

I had no words for what I was witnessing.

I remembered earlier today when Cynthia and I struggled to get into the basketball court in the first place. Two players were guarding the door, stopping anyone from entering. I also remembered Axel telling us not to stay. And then I remembered thinking how cruel it was of Zenon to publicly humiliate Kaden on top of the unnecessary aggression.

But now I understood.

Zenon had his team members sit on the stands, not as onlookers, but as witnesses. Because if Kaden tried to retaliate by getting Zenon expelled, Zenon would have back up.

He's smart, there's no denying that. Zenon's smart, strategic and he's subtle.