Early March
It was an off day in Mrs. E’s class. GC listened halfheartedly to the conversations taking place as she wrote in her current short story. Something made her look up: “Shooting . . . April Twentieth . . .” GC raised her eyebrow at her teacher, but did not ask for more information.
That night GC told her mom what she heard.
“Can you get more information,” her mom asked.
“Probably. I’ll talk to Mrs. E tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know since it concerns, well, my life.”
GC’s mother nodded, looking concerned. “Yes, thank you.”
GC was to meet her first period class in the foyer of the school; they were going to see Play Production strut its stuff. The bell rang, and soon Mrs. E joined the congregation of students. Once inside the Little Theatre GC went aside and got her teacher’s attention.
“Mrs. E, what was it that you were talking about yesterday, about April Twentieth?” GC asked.
“Supposedly a publicity poster for that play coming up was defaced, and it promoted the remake of a Columbine disaster here. Nothing else has been reported, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about; it’s probably a way to get people to ditch.”
GC nodded, thanked Mrs. E, and sat down to enjoy the play.
She never thought more about the incident.
4/1/6/01 (Four days . . .), early morning
The return to school from Spring Break was nice, without any problems. However, in GC’s second period people were talking about the defaced poster; the incident occurred more than a month ago.
“I’m not going to school Friday; I don’t want to die!” one of GC’s classmates almost wailed.
GC was silent for most of the conversation. She had her own ideas about the threat, and whether or not she would go to school Friday:
First of all, the incident occurred more than a month ago. To GC, this was a way to get attention. Second, it was a defaced poster, not students confiding to teachers or administration that someone was going to take a gun and go on a rampage at school. Third, it was a matter of principle. GC was a strong person, or she liked to think so. She wasn’t going to let an unsubstantiated rumor ruin her day. Also, two years ago, when she was a Freshman, a girl who waited near her after school ‘mad-dogged’ GC and frequently cussed her out. GC ultimately stood up to this person, but later broke down into tears. GC thought she left the humiliation, the ridicule, at her middle school. Her mother commented upon this, saying that by crying GC was giving in to the girl. To GC, this rumor presented the same choice as the girl: give in, or stand up. GC decided she would stand up.
4/17/01 (Three days . . .), late evening
GC got out of the shower to see her mom in the kitchen; she had returned from the school meeting about the rumor while GC had been showering. GC greeted her mom and went to dry her hair. When she returned the two talked.
“I went with Yalena’s mom to the meeting,” GC’s mom began. “It was very informative in my opinion. Mr. Radburn told us about the poster; administration has been working with School Police and the LAPD, and they haven’t found anything except the poster. They also said that they would respect parents’ decisions with sending their children to school or not.
“I will respect your decision too. Do you want to go to school?”
GC thought for a moment, then, “Yes, I want to go to school.”
GC’s mom looked a bit concerned, but she smiled and nodded. “Alright . . . Why don’t I lend you my phone Friday, just in case you want to leave before the day ends.”
GC nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, I can go for that.”
4/18/01 (Two days . . .), early morning
The next morning, in first period, GC found out something: Eyewitness News televised the meeting, and thus the entire ordeal. GC burned angrily, hurt that a news station would do such a thing. Of course, it was not surprising to her; it was a given that television and paper crews would do whatever they could to get a story. But GC was still angry. She was determined to let Eyewitness News know how much it pissed her off.
Later in the evening GC dropped by in Unreality and watched as her Neutral Guardian in AOL Instant Messenger dropped the bad news to their friends. More interesting, however, was the conversation GC was having on AIM with her friend, Edith:
Edith: I saw your school on the news, and I thought: Oh no! GC!
GC: Yeah; damn news crews helped make the hype skyrocket, as they usually do. Shall I try and calm you down by informing you as to what has happened?
Edith: Please.
GC: One month ago, someone defaced a publicity poster for a play; instead of promoting the play it promoted the remake of a Columbine-like disaster at my school. Administration has worked with School Police and LAPD and they haven’t found anything. They held a meeting last night to explain the rumor.
Edith: Are you gonna go?
GC: Yes.
Edith: What?! GC . . . I don’t want to say this . . . but you could die.
GC: Yes, I could die, but in my heart I don’t think anything will happen.
Edith: I want you to call me or e-mail me to let me know you’re okay.
GC: I will.
Later that night GC gave in to her fears; tears splashed onto her bed ash she asked Him to please protect all that come to her school with good intentions. She wanted to be strong, but sometimes the strong had to be weak.
4/19/01 (One day . . .), late afternoon
GC knew that her dad did not watch that much TV, so just how much he did know about the poster threat GC was not sure. He would have to know.
Her dad as of late was helping her family set up a new, working computer. Now would be the perfect time. As GC tested the new computer she turned to her dad and spoke, “Have you heard what’s been going on at my school?”
GC’s dad shook his head, “No, I haven’t.”
GC took a breath. “Supposedly a Columbine-like disaster is going to happen tomorrow. The whole thing started a month ago, and so far nothing has happened.”
“Does your mom know?”
“’Course she does.”
“What does she think?”
“She’s letting me make my own decision, and I’m going. But if you don’t want me to, I won’t. I mean, you are my dad.”
GC’s dad thought for a moment. “Well, I wouldn’t want to go against your mom’s decision, so I’ll respect both of your decisions.”
Later on in the evening GC’s dad returned to take her brother and her out to dinner. GC let her strong side fall somewhat and held her dad’s hand for a few minutes. There was a chance, however slight, that GC could die. She didn’t want to think about that; she was determined not to fall prey to a prankster.
Once again, GC let her strength fall as she asked for His protection tomorrow.
4/20/01
GC cast her fears aside as she walked to the C-Building. If anything actually did happen, she would have to be strong. As she walked up the stairs she didn’t see much difference in crowds, but by first period it was apparent that today was not going to be a normal day. On average, ten people were present for class in each of her periods.
At the end of the day GC was happy. Nothing happened. The school lost almost one hundred thousand dollars though. What saddened GC the most was that most of those absent probably just took advantage of the hype and high-tailed it to the beach or mall.
So much for honor.
