“Bringing a fake pen to trick us? They’ve probably been targeting our kids’ things for a while. Everyone check your stuff—if anything’s missing, today’s the time to get it back.”
At her words, several parents lunged at me, snatching my purse and emptying Lily’s backpack.
Books and makeup spilled everywhere, but nothing suspicious was found.
“They must be pros. Of course they wouldn’t hide it in their bags. Could be on them instead.”
Seeing them reach for Lily’s clothes, I pulled her tightly to me.
“You have no right to search us. This is illegal.”
One parent shouted back:
“Stealing is illegal too! If you didn’t steal, why are you afraid of being searched? You’re obviously guilty!”
I had no way to argue back. Outnumbered, I could only watch as they tore Lily’s school jacket off.
In a panic, I searched for my phone, desperate to call my husband.
But Olivia’s son Ethan Hayes snatched my phone from the ground and waved it tauntingly at me.
Helpless, I looked to the homeroom teacher, who had been hiding in the background, silently begging her to intervene.
Instead, she stepped over to Olivia’s side.
“Why not just let everyone check, Lily’s mom? That way you can clear your name.”