You’re Worth Fighting For

Mrs. Smith drew a careful breath. "Principal Han… with your permission, I'd like the board to read something."

Han blinked. "And what is that, Mrs. Smith?"

"A few days ago," Mrs. Smith said softly, "Ash ended up in detention. He was assigned an essay. I didn't expect much. No offense, Ash."

My heart jolted.

No.

Not that essay.

Mrs. Smith kept going, her voice was trembling a little. "It's titled 'Why Fighting is Wrong Within School Premises.' But that's not really what it's about. Not at its core."

She turned the folder over.

"It's about who Ash Rivera really is."

Han reached for the folder, slipping out the pages. He cleared his throat and began to read aloud:

"Fighting in school is more than fists.

Sometimes it's silence.

Sometimes it's the way people look at you like you're already guilty before you speak…"