CHAPTER 15 THE FRIDAY MORNING CATASTROPHE

CLAUDIA

I was too burned out to go back on MetaWorld that night. Instead, I went to bed and set my alarm to get up half an hour early so I could burn down Xander’s castle before school.

When I opened my computer the next morning, I checked ClickChat first. Because it’s basically a habit.

Sophie was online, asking whether she should wear her new five-toed socks to school:

CLICKCHAT COMMENTS ON PUBLIC WALL OF “SOPHIE_K_NYC”

CLAUDIA

I typed an answer, and just when I was about to hit return, a comment from Xander popped up on Sophie’s wall.

And because the horrible regret I felt about destroying my brother’s castle absolutely DID NOT INCLUDE Xander, who is completely vile and deserves whatever pain he gets, I decided that as long as he was on ClickChat, I’d spend a little quality time taunting him.

So I hit return on my comment to Sophie really fast, then switched from my usual “claudaroo” account to my “InvisibleDeath” account.

Except that I’d never switched back after my exchange with Xander and Reese the day before. So this is what wound up on Sophie’s wall:

CLICKCHAT COMMENTS ON PUBLIC WALL OF “SOPHIE_K_NYC”

CLAUDIA

Because I’d switched accounts so fast, I didn’t see Sophie’s and Xander’s replies.

So I didn’t realize I was using the wrong account… and what I posted on Xander’s wall was:

CLICKCHAT COMMENT ON PUBLIC WALL OF “XIZKILLINIT”

CLAUDIA

I spent so long writing the perfect taunt that I basically ran out of time to burn down Xander’s castle, and as soon as I hit return, I had to log off and get ready for school.

Which is why I also missed seeing Xander’s reply:

CLICKCHAT COMMENT ON PUBLIC WALL OF “XIZKILLINIT”

CLAUDIA

I was in math class when Mrs. Bevan came for me.

JOANNA BEVAN, Vice Principal, Culvert Prep Middle School

I know it seems excessive. But like I said: that’s the problem with a “zero tolerance” policy. It ties my hands as an administrator.

If there is literally “zero” tolerance for cyberbullying, when someone presents me with evidence of an incident, I can’t take the source, or the context, or any nuance into consideration.

I just have to lay down the law.

So when Xander Billington showed me that printout from his ClickChat account, I didn’t have a choice.

I had to suspend you.

I’m sorry, Claudia.

CLAUDIA

I’m sorry, too, Mrs. Bevan.

This has been a very valuable learning experience.

MOM AND DAD (text messages)

(MOM) DID MRS BEVAN FR CULVERT
JUST CALL YOU

(DAD) No. Why?

CLAUDIA GOT SUSPENDED
FROM SCHOOL

You mean Reese

NO. CLAUDIA

OMG WHAT FOR

CYBERBULLYING XANDER
BILLINGTON

I no longer understand how the
world works