Northgate Preparatory School had two famous outcasts.
One was me, Bianca Pierce. I’ve never been much of a talker, and I keep to myself.
Behind my back, plenty of people called me the “Ice Queen.”
The other was Wade Romano, the boy who sat beside me.
His grades had consistently hovered near the bottom of our class.
He was always smiling, and for some reason, I was the only person he ever listened to.
My father is the executive director of the state board of education.
My mother is a partner at a major law firm.
My aunt Kate is an investigative journalist, a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
On my first day, my father specifically instructed the principal not to mention our family background to anyone.
And I never did.
Until that Monday’s schoolwide assembly.
Veronica, the student council vice president, stood before the entire school, microphone in hand.
She accused me of stealing eight hundred dollars from the student council event fund.
Then she accused Wade of cheating on the October midterms.
On the spot, Director Holloway from Student Affairs announced my disqualification from the National Chemistry Olympiad.
Holloway gave my spot to Spencer Sutton, the second-ranked student in our year.
I stood in line, my lips pressed into a thin line, unable to force a single word out.
Wade rushed out from the line, shouting in my defense.
“She didn’t steal anything. And I didn’t cheat. What gives you the right?”
Our grade-level advisor immediately told him to shut up.
Someone grabbed his arm, but he kept struggling.
I reached into my pocket for my phone.
I opened my family group chat and typed four words.
“Come to school. Now.”
If they were going to push things this far, they would have to face the consequences.
Speak Up Chapter 10 “That… that was a private loan. It has nothing to do with this.” “Whether it has anything to do with this will be for the school’s ethics committee and the IRS to determine.” My mother closed her briefcase. “I just happened to notice the timing. Spencer’s father transferred money to you.”
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Speak Up Chapter 09 Holloway’s face was a grim mask. She shot to her feet, her voice tight. “Principal Foster, I suggest we suspend this meeting. The identities of these individuals have not been—” “Holloway.” My father finally looked directly at her. Her words died in her throat. “You are the Director of Student Affairs,
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Speak Up Chapter 08 My mother stood and took the final document from her folder. It was a printed screenshot of an iMessage conversation. “This was provided by Nathan Cole. It’s a chat record between him and Chris. It reads as follows.” She read the contents aloud. “‘Nathan, help me create a reimbursement form for
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Speak Up Chapter 07 The principal practically ran in. The moment he saw my father, his expression shifted. “Mr. Pierce, why didn’t you let me know you were—” “Foster.” My father cut him off. “Have you seen these documents?” The principal wiped his forehead. “I… I haven’t had the chance.” “You hadn’t seen them, yet
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Speak Up Chapter 06 “The first is from Emma Reed, a member of the student council events committee.” “She confirms that Bianca never participated in any budget approval or signing process.” “The events committee is responsible only for planning and has no financial authority.” “The second is from Nathan Cole, the student council treasurer.” “He
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Speak Up Chapter 05 “I happened to be in the area, working on a story about school disciplinary procedures.” Veronica took a half step back. Kate didn’t even look at her. “The audio is recording, too.” “Don’t worry. We can blur the students’ faces. We’re interested in the school’s procedures, not student privacy.” She lifted
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Speak Up Chapter 04 Holloway looked up toward the door. The first person to enter was my mother. She stood at the threshold, her eyes scanning the room before they finally settled on me. The second person was my father. He dispensed with pleasantries, walking straight to Holloway’s desk. He took an ID case from
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Speak Up Chapter 03 It didn’t end there. Director Holloway called Wade and me into her office. “Bianca, the student council submitted a very thorough report. If you contest their findings, you can provide a written statement.” She pushed a blank sheet of paper in front of me. “Start by writing down your version of
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Speak Up Chapter 02 Veronica was still on the stage. Holloway took the microphone again. Her expression was a mask of regret. “Students, regarding Bianca’s case, the Office of Student Affairs has conducted an initial review of the student council’s report.” She paused and swept her gaze across the gym. “Based on our current information,
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Speak Up Chapter 01 Northgate Preparatory School had two famous outcasts. One was me, Bianca Pierce. I’ve never been much of a talker, and I keep to myself. Behind my back, plenty of people called me the “Ice Queen.” The other was Wade Romano, the boy who sat beside me. His grades had consistently hovered
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