"Go on in, Laurel. Reform yourself real good—maybe they'll show you some leniency." Nelson smiled.
The entire class erupted in laughter behind him.
Damian stood at the back of the crowd, his arm around a new girlfriend.
"Acted so pure and innocent this whole time. Turns out she's a thug queen. Disgusting."
I didn't look at Damian. Didn't look at Nelson.
I looked calmly at the officer.
"I'll cooperate with the investigation."
Two officers flanked me, one on each side, and walked me out.
The chatter from the private room surged behind me like a tide.
"Nelson's got balls. Turning in one of his own like that."
"For real. I always knew something was off about Laurel Fox. Walking around with that cold face all the time."
"She's going away for a long time, right? Life, at least?"
I sat in the back seat of the squad car. The officer in the passenger seat turned to look at me.
"You're pretty calm for someone in your position. Already know what you did?"
I leaned back against the seat.
"I didn't do anything. Of course I'm calm."
At the police precinct, I was taken straight into an interrogation room.
Detective Mercer dropped a thick stack of files onto the table with a heavy thud.