Marcus wrote the names. Then Miguel. Then Raj. Then Kesha, with Devon supplying what he knew and marking the parts he would need Kesha to confirm herself.
The page became two pages. Then three. Tyler scrolled through old group-chat messages and found dates.
"Here's Miguel's mom complaining in the parent forum. October third."
Marcus wrote it down.
"What about white kids?" Devon asked.
Marcus stopped. Tyler pointed toward another table. "Emma's lasagna. Every Thursday."
Aaliyah said, "Connor's gyros."
"Patrick brings cabbage stew sometimes."
"Patterson said it smelled good last week."
Marcus drew a line down the page. On the left he listed students disciplined or humiliated for cultural food or clothing. On the right he listed comparable examples Patterson ignored or praised. The pattern looked different in ink.
Less like a feeling. More like a structure.
"That's evidence," Devon said.
Marcus did not feel victorious. He felt sick. Because if five children at one lunch table could reconstruct this much in twenty minutes, adults had either failed to notice something obvious or noticed and decided it was easier not to act. In English class that afternoon, Patterson distributed worksheets titled RESPECT AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Marcus looked at the title and nearly laughed. Patterson stopped beside his desk.
"I hope you're reflecting seriously on yesterday."
Marcus kept his eyes on the paper.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Some students require more guidance than others."
She placed an additional sheet on his desk.
"You'll complete these questions as well."
Marcus scanned them. Describe a time when your actions made others uncomfortable. Explain why accepting correction is important. What should students do when personal preferences conflict with community standards?
He looked up.
"Is everybody doing these?"
Patterson smiled.
"Just you."
Marcus wrote the time in his notebook after class. 2:43 P.M. - EXTRA ASSIGNMENT AFTER COMPLAINT. ONLY ME. For the first time, Patterson saw him writing.
"What's that?"
Marcus closed the notebook.
"My notes."
Her expression changed almost invisibly.
"About what?"
"School."
"Let me see it."
Marcus remembered Anderson's advice.
"Is it school property?"
Patterson stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"The notebook. Is it school property?"
"No."
"Then I'd rather keep it private."
Her face tightened.
"You are becoming very argumentative, Marcus."