Diane blinked, startled. “She… she picks on me,” she admitted quietly. The principal nodded. “I know. And it ends now. You will change, and so will she. Both sides must stop pretending their pain gives them license to wound others.” Carol felt the words strike them both equally.
Carol whispered, “Thank you,” though the gratitude carried the weight of guilt. The principal met her eyes firmly. “Don’t thank me. Show her. Teach her. Break the pattern.” Carol nodded, her heart heavy, knowing this was the chance she had long prayed for—and long feared.