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After Lenny set the bowl of nachos down, he and Dale began their FIFA session. Not long after they had started though, Lenny heard a knock on his door.
“I’ll get that.” Lenny said to his friend, and went to the door. He opened it, and standing outside his door was Vaughn Fitzgerald, the head teacher.
“Mr Fitzgerald?” Lenny said. “Surprised tae see you here. I heard about Justin and Leo. Are they doing okay?”
Mr Fitzgerald sighed. “This is actually what I came to talk to you about Lenny.”
“Uh... Should I go?” Dale asked, getting up off the bean bag.
“No. It’s probably best if you stay, Dale.” Mr Fitzgerald said. “Lenny is more than likely going to need a friend right now.”
Mr Fitzgerald took a seat on Lenny’s bed and took a deep breath.
“Justin is completely paralyzed from the neck down.” he said. “It’s likely that he will never be able to move his body again. And as for Leo. Well, he still hasn’t stopped crying. He feels responsible for the whole endeavour.”
Lenny put his hand over his mouth. “Mr Fitzgerald, I’m so sorry tae hear that.” he said. “I have tae ask, though. What exactly was Leo doing up there in the first place?”
“Leo had been trying to commit suicide.” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Lenny once again put his hand over his mouth. He looked at Dale for a second and saw sympathy in his dark eyes. Dale had actually tried to do the same thing half a year ago, back when he was in a very dark place in his life, so it was no wonder he could relate to that.
“Why would he want tae do that?” Lenny said, turning back to Mr Fitzgerald. “I know he was getting hassled for what he did tae Bonnie a few months back, but I didn’t know it was that bad.”
Mr Fitzgerald sighed again. “I’m afraid it’s much worse than you could’ve known. Leo is currently being assessed for mental health. Two people made him feel so guilty about what he did to Bonnie that he felt killing himself was the only option. I’ll get to the point here Lenny. One of the perpetrators was your sister, Lisa.”
Lenny suddenly felt his entire body go ice-cold. He felt a pit in his stomach as every breath he took became heavier and heavier.
“Lenny. You okay, mate?” Dale asked, getting up and sitting closer to his friend.
“It... It can’t be true...” Lenny said, clutching his chest. “S-she told me she would try tae be better. No, she PROMISED me... That poor boy...”
“I’m afraid it is true Lenny.” Mr Fitzgerald said. “She claimed she was avenging Bonnie, but I know that she just wanted to prey on someone vulnerable. It’s never about sticking up for your own anymore. Just about mindless cruelty for the sake of cruelty.”
“What’s gonnae happen tae her?” Lenny asked, dreading the answer.
“As of now, she’s been permanently excluded from Waterloo Road, along with her friend Shaznay, the other perpetrator.” Mr Fitzgerald said. “Given that Lisa has nowhere else to go, she is going to remain in the boarding house. But she will not be allowed to wear the uniform, or attend classes. Mrs Budgen will be making sure of that, until we can enrol her in a different school close by, preferably one with it’s own boarding house.”
Lenny went into the face palm position, feeling heavy and defeated.
“I’m truly sorry to tell you this, Lenny.” Mr Fitzgerald said as he got up. “I’d best be off. My family needs me, and I’m not going to let them down anymore.”
Mr Fitzgerald left the room, closing the door behind him. Lenny failed to stifle a sob.
“Hey, come on now.” Dale said softly, pulling Lenny in for a hug.
“I-I just can’t believe I thought she could actually change.” Lenny quietly sobbed. “I’m such an idiot.”
“No, don’t go thinking along those lines.” Dale said, gently patting Lenny on the back. “You’re not to blame for this. You did everything you could for her.”
“Y-you think so?” Lenny sniffed.
Dale pulled himself away, still keeping his hands on Lenny’s shoulders, and looked him in the eyes. “Of course I do. After all, you’ve made such a difference in my life. Don’t know where I’d be without you.”
“Thanks mate.” Lenny said, smiling.
“No problem.” Dale replied. He grabbed some tissues from the tissue box on the windowsill. “Now here, dry your eyes. You don’t want to get a rash.” he said.
“But... I’m saving those tissues for my next tug session.” Lenny said. Dale looked at him with a somewhat disgusted expression, then Lenny smiled and said “I’m only kidding!”
Dale’s face broke into a smile. “You numpty...” he said.
“Man, I gottae stop hanging around Darren so much.” Lenny chuckled. “I think his brand of humour is rubbing off on me.”
The two boys laughed and went back to their game, their spirits down, but not broken.