“I wasn’t sure anyone would listen.”
The principal’s face tightened.
“I would have.”
Behind him, one of the teachers had begun crying.
Then another.
And suddenly, the principal turned toward the audience.
He didn’t raise his voice.
He didn’t need to.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we continue, I’d like to ask everyone to remain seated.”
The room settled.
Ethan looked at me nervously.
I squeezed his hand.
The principal looked toward him.
“You don’t have to explain anything you don’t want to explain.”
Ethan nodded.
Then, after a long pause, he stood.
He faced nearly six hundred people.
The same people who had laughed at him.
The same people who had whispered.
The same people who had watched him walk across the stage in red.
His voice was quiet at first.
“My mom made me a promise eighteen years ago.”
The room became completely still.
