The Price of Silence — Staci Stallings

Robyn Lockhart liked her simple but predictable life in the small Iowa town she grew up in. But when her mother moves them to the big city, Robyn has no choice but to brave the tumultuous high school she's thrust into. Then, with barely a blink and as an outsider looking in, Robyn begins asking questions that no one seems willing to face. Is it possible to stay silent while simultaneously shouting from the rooftops that something is deadly wrong? And if you shout, beyond those watching every move you make, who will even hear?

Where do you turn when the watching eyes are everywhere? Where do you go when no place is safe? Who do you turn to when saying anything could get someone killed? Who can you trust when "they" could be anyone?

“Read it with the lights ON!”

THE PRICE OF SILENCE is a teen romance novel that focuses on one student's stand against violence, bullying, and gangs in her school. Although it is a high school romance, the issues and lessons are not limited to teens. Adults can also learn from the story valuable lessons such as how to listen to teens rather than assuming everything is all right and that sweeping dangerous situations under the rug does not fix anything. Further, they can see the pressure teens face when trying to navigate the world between social pressure, bullies, and school administrators. Guns, violence, and bullying are all issues teenagers face sometimes on a daily basis, and The Price of Silence is a cry to help us all learn to help them face these problems with our help and support.

*~* EXCERPT *~*

“Unfortunately, we can't be everywhere at once,” Mr. Findley said clearly on the defensive. “Students have to use their heads and not get themselves into a position where they can easily be injured or harmed.”

“Like the hallways between classes,” Robyn laughed with a shake of her head.

“The hallways, Miss Lockhart?”

“Yeah, I got knocked down the other day, and I was almost trampled to death.”

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that,” Mr. Findley said, more guardedly than the statement warranted.

“You know, come to think of it, how do I know whoever did that to me, didn't do it on purpose?” Robyn asked, suddenly seeing the incident in a whole new light.

Mr. Findley tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“Are you kidding? Even a naïve girl from Iowa can see the potential for crime in that hallway. Three thousand students and what, ten security people? One knockdown in a crowded, frenzied hallway? Shoot, by the time you get your bearings back, your stuff could be halfway to Mexico.”

Kat nodded. “She's got a point.”

“Yes, I believe she does,” Mr. Findley finally agreed as he opened a folder on his desk and studied something. “In fact, that's a problem that has just started surfacing. I've had three complaints about incidents just like that cross my desk in the last week.”

“So, the halls aren't as safe as we think they are then?” Kat asked, intrigued.

“Apparently we have a long way to go in securing the building.” Mr. Findley looked at them both. “I honestly wish there was some way to ensure that every student was safe every second of every day they're here, but I can't. Maybe the two of you can get the word out so the students can help us help them. It would be a start anyway.”

“It can't hurt,” Robyn said suddenly seeing a myriad of things she had done wrong in the last week.

“Well, thanks for your time, Mr. Findley.” Kat closed her notebook and shook his hand.

“Thank you, Miss Layton, and you too, Miss Lockhart.” Mr. Findley stood and shook their hands. “I'm glad you decided to join the newspaper staff, but I'm thinking I'd better be more prepared for interviews after this.”

They all laughed, and then Kat and Robyn made their way out of the office. They were almost out of the building before either of them spoke again.

“I don't care what you say,” Kat said. “You're joining the staff.”