Chapter 15 - Cameron Goes BackCameron returned to Ridgewood after nine school days.
Rebecca offered transfer.
Thomas supported whatever he chose.
Cameron said:
“I want to go back.”
“Why?”
“My friends are there.”
Not revenge.
Not proving courage.
Friends.
Basketball.
Band.
A science teacher he liked.
The building belonged to more than Mrs. Donovan.
He entered Room 208 again only to retrieve materials.
New teacher.
Mrs. Donovan’s desk still there.
Wooden ruler gone.
Cameron noticed.
His cheek remembered before his mind.
One slap.
His body tightened.
Then Eli walked in.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
They stood awkwardly.
Cameron said:
“Thanks for the phone.”
Eli shrugged.
“You called.”
“You gave it.”
Another shrug.
Then:
“I almost didn’t.”
Cameron looked at him.
“Why?”
“Thought I’d get suspended.”
“So?”
“I was scared.”
Cameron nodded.
“Me too.”
That mattered.
No perfect hero.
Eli did something while afraid.
Then Cameron asked:
“Why’d you have your phone out?”
Eli smiled.
“I was playing Clash Royale.”
Cameron stared.
“Seriously?”
“Very heroic.”
They laughed.
Ordinary behavior coexisting with extraordinary moment.
Then school administration asked Eli to participate in a safety presentation.
He declined.
Good.
No turning children into marketing.
Cameron was invited too.
Declined.
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The school had spent years converting incidents into statistics.
They would not convert these boys into reform posters.
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