Millie races to Nico’s school after an urgent call, rattled by the lack of explanation but reassured that Nico is “fine.” At the office, she finds Enzo already waiting, and both parents try to convince themselves it is something minor while their anxiety mounts.

Principal Corkum brings them into her office, where Nico sits bruised and disheveled with a forming black eye and torn collar. The principal explains that Nico was fighting during recess and, when asked, states that Nico started it.

Corkum says the other boy was mocking a girl on the playground, but Nico’s reaction was to punch the boy in the nose rather than get help or use words. The other child is at the emergency room and may have a broken nose, and Corkum decides Nico will be suspended for the rest of the week despite Millie’s apologies.

Leaving the school, Enzo asks who Nico fought, and Nico names Caden Ruda. Millie insists Nico cannot start fights and grounds him, while Enzo argues that standing up to bullying matters and implies the other boy “deserved it,” which alarms Millie.

Millie, reminded of her own past consequences for “sticking up” for someone, worries Nico is changing in a direction she does not want. She makes Nico ride home with her to prevent Enzo from reframing the violence as heroism, disturbed by Nico’s lack of eye contact and unusually flat apology.