The Assembly

Date: June 20

Hazel met up with Piper at the school entrance. They both headed towards their lockers.

"How was the debate tournament?" Hazel asked.

"It went well," Piper said. "Coach Hermes was glad that our school won first in the overall sweepstakes."

"That's great," Hazel said. "Oh!"

Piper stiffened beside Hazel. On her locker was a slur used to demonize Native American women. It looked like it was written in red lipstick.

"Who would do this?" Jason asked, walking up to Piper and Hazel. "I'll get Bob to clean it up."

He ran off to get the janitor.

"Why would anyone do this?" Hazel asked.

"I — I," Piper said.

The intercom crackled and the entire school heard Dionysus said, "Everyone report to the auditorium."

"School hasn't even started," Hazel said.

"Something serious must have happened," Piper said.

"Don't you know?" someone asked.

Hazel looked over at a senior named Nancy. She was sneering at the two of them.

"What's with her?" Hazel asked.

"Come on you two," Frank said. "You can sit by me."

The two girls followed Frank to the auditorium. By the time the bell rang, the auditorium was packed. Dionysus was pacing on the stage. He was wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt and orange running shorts.

"Now, we've heard that you students have been going to parties," Dionysus Duwine said. "Now normally I'm all for that. Go get drunk and make me proud. That's your choice, but the police are now opening an investigation because they found out some kids have been exchanging very inappropriate videos on Chatsnap"

"Snapchat!" Mr. Chiron said.

"Whatever," Dionysus said. "The police have opened an investigation. A video of underage students has been uploaded to the internet. Whoever did it will be facing criminal charges. That's it. You all are dismissed to your first period."

As Hazel and Piper walked to their first period, Hazel noticed a lot of people jeering at Piper and making comments.

"Why are they being mean to you?" Hazel asked.

"I don't know," Piper said, biting her lip.

Her phone buzzed and she checked it. She looked up and Hazel noticed her face was wet. She turned around and headed towards the bathroom. Hazel followed her.

"What happened?" Hazel said.

"Snapchat," Piper said bitterly.

"If someone sent you something mean—," Hazel said.

"No, someone did something worse," Piper said. "The criminal charges? The words on my locker? They're because of the party Saturday night. What was I thinking?"

She started sobbing and Hazel gave her a hug. Piper wiped her face and swallowed before saying, "You probably should go to class Hazel. Mrs. Dodds will use her pool noodle on you if you don't. Besides, you don't want to be seen with me."

"We're friends," Hazel said.

"Yeah, but half of the school has seen me naked," Piper said. "I don't think someone as innocent as you would want to be seen with someone as dirty as me."

"Piper—," Hazel said.

"Please leave me alone, Hazel," Piper said.

"I'm here if you need me," Hazel said as she left.

"I know," Piper said. "You are always there for others Hazel."