Chapter 64 Audrey

After a fitful night of sleep, I woke up to the incessant buzzing of my phone before the sun had even fully risen over the mountains on the h**on. Groggily, I reached for it, squinting at the bright screen. It was barely 7 AM, but I already had a flood of notifications on my screen-mostly frantic texts from my friends.

"What the hell?" I muttered, propping myself up on one elbow and rubbing my eyes. My friends weren't exactly the 'early bird' type. But as I scrolled through the messages, I began to see why they were so frantic. And it was then that started racing.

my heart

Tina: "Audrey, have you seen the video?"

Avis: "Holy s**, Professor Brooks went off!"

Betty: "Audrey, call us as soon as you're up!"

Gavin: "You okay? This is crazy."

With a furrowed brow, I quickly opened my browser and searched for news about Grayspring Academy. The top result was a video from none other than Edwin, posted just a few hours ago. With shaking hands, I pressed play.

A few moments later, Edwin's face filled the screen. His expression was serious as he sat in front of his webcam, with his academy office as the backdrop.

"I am creating this video today to address the recent controversy surrounding the fashion show at Grayspring Academy and/ the associated internship with Brooks Designs," he began." For starters, I want to make it clear that I had absolutely no say in the scoring of the competition."

I listened, my mouth hanging open, as Edwin continued to speak. He talked about seeing a student in need and offering to help, how I had faced unfair challenges from the beginning.

"Audrey Thatcher has had the cards stacked against her from day one," Edwin said firmly. "She is the only human at an academy full of werewolves, and many of her peers-as well as professors-have looked down on her because of this. But despite adversity, she has shown incredible talent and perseverance.

"However," he continued, "this video is not just about Miss Thatcher, I feel compelled to address the actions of another student: Linda O'Malley. It has come to my attention that Miss O'Malley has repeatedly attempted to sabotage Miss Thatcher's work, going so far as to steal her designs and... physically attack her."

I gasped out loud, clapping my hand over my mouth. Was he seriously calling her out so soon? But we had no real proof!

Edwin's voice grew even more stern as he continued to speak. "This kind of behavior is unacceptable, and Linda O'Malley has gotten away with it on far too many occasions, simply because she comes from a well-to-do family. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support Grayspring Academy if students like this will not be punished accordingly.

H

at Grayspring Academy. If something is not done about this disgusting

Edwin leaned forward in his chair.

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Sep 16

stern-face,

to be punished while someone who resorts to bullying and theft continues to enjoy the privileges of our institution," he finished. The video ended, and I sat there, stunned. I wasn't sure how long I stayed like that, but I was eventually ripped out of my reverie when my phone buzzed again-this time with a call from Tina. "Hello?" I answered, my

practically shouted. "Did you see it? Did you see what

yeah, I just watched it." I replied, still processing. "I

too, in response to what he said in the

"No, I haven't-"

interrupted. I heard

this year, I witnessed firsthand an incident in which Linda O'Malley attempted to pass off Audrey's cheerleading uniform design as her own. Audrey, despite facing obvious intimidation from Miss O'Malley, stood up for herself and rightfully claimed credit

work."

that I have rarely seen in someone so young, Tina continued reading. "The suggestion that she would rig the results of the fashion show is not only false but goes against everything I know about her character. As for Professor Brooks,

my. I muttered, pressing my

Audrey, Tina said. "Furthermore, what I am seeing here speaks to a larger issue within our society; a human has been, once again, demonized and passed over simply for not

out a low whistle. "Can you believe

the backs of my eyes as I thought back to the previous night when Edwin had comforted me on

asked, her voice softening. "Do

my head, then remembered she couldn't see me. "No, I'm alright," I replied, wiping my tears. "I just need some-time to process

intense."

need anything, we're here for you, Tina said. "Oh, and Audrey? Don't

my

of people are supporting you, but there are still those who think... well, you know." That a human should

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Chapter 64

softly. "But don't let them get to you. You won fair and

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