For a second, nobody reacted.
Elliot stared at her in shock.
“What?” he whispered.
“You earned it,” Mrs. Parker said, handing him the envelope.
Then applause suddenly erupted from the back of the gym.
A group of freshmen stood up cheering.
“That’s Elliot!”
“He helped me pass algebra!”
“He stayed after school with me for weeks!”
The applause spread rapidly throughout the room.
Not everyone joined in.
But suddenly, the silence from the bullies felt very small.
I leaned toward Elliot.
“You never told me.”
He looked embarrassed.
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
Mrs. Parker immediately corrected him.
“It was a very big deal.”
Then her expression hardened again.
“And there’s something else.”
The gym went silent instantly.
“Tonight’s prom was livestreamed for parents and family members who couldn’t attend,” she announced. “Unfortunately for some of you, the comments directed at Elliot were clearly heard.”
