Chapter 2: Building Tension
We're just playing around," Anna said defiantly, but she didn't fool Wanda. The officer knew that bullying was never harmless, no matter what excuses the bully gave.
As she escorted Anna and Jane to her squad car, Wanda noticed that Jane was trembling with fear. She had to do something to make sure that Jane was safe and to hold Anna accountable for her actions.
Once they were in the car, Wanda made a quick phone call to the school principal, explaining the situation and promising to follow up with the parents of both girls.
As she hung up, she turned to Anna with a serious look. "I want you to understand that your behavior was not okay. What you did was bullying, and it's not acceptable," she said slowly and firmly.
Anna squirmed in her seat, unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of such a reprimand. She had always gotten away with her cruelty before, but something about Wanda's tone and demeanor gave her pause.