Andy slammed his locker shut. “Another school day complete,” he muttered. Like most of the seniors in his class, Andy was counting the days until graduation. Unfortunately, it was only the second week of September.
The long, busy hallway was teeming with students. Andy stopped often to say hi to old friends and make some new ones—something he was good at. In the first week he had met Matt, a sort of “regular guy” who had transferred from another school. Andy had heard that Matt had a reputation for being a troublemaker and a loner. But Andy had decided to give Matt the benefit of the doubt and try to make friends rather than ignore him.
Study Buddies
As the year wore on, Andy made many efforts to be Matt’s friend: sitting with him at lunch, inviting him over with other friends and inviting him to youth group. Andy even convinced his dad, a police officer, to give him and Matt a ride in his police cruiser. Although Matt did have a bit of an edge to him and seem kind of aloof, he seemed to appreciate Andy’s friendship.
One fall Wednesday, Matt asked Andy for help studying chemistry. Shocked but trying not to show it, Andy agreed to a Thursday night study session.
When they met on Thursday, the boys laid out their books and notes and got to work. After two and a half hours of reviewing terms, creating elaborate diagrams and quizzing each other from the study sheet, they were as ready as they could be.
Crunch Time
Andy sat next to Matt in Friday morning’s homeroom. “Third period chemistry is just three hours away, man,” Andy said. Matt nodded and smiled as he looked at a chemistry flashcard the two had made.
Suddenly, warning tones blared over the public-address system. The students fell silent as the speakers wailed. Here we go, Andy thought, Another drill.
“Attention, teachers, we have a Code Red situation,” crackled Principal Redding, “I repeat: Code Red. Please follow the appropriate procedures and await further instructions.”
Andy knew from his dad that a Code Red meant that the school had received a general threat of violence. I wonder what it is this time, he thought, surprised at how uneasy he felt. His teacher cleared her throat and nervously called out instructions.
“Students, please sit quietly at your desks with your heads down,” she said, locking the door.
“Lockdown,” Andy whispered to Matt.
At the sound of wailing sirens, Andy snuck a look out the window and saw several police cars pulling up to the school. One of the officers walked a police dog into the school. Andy continued his commentary.
“Bomb-sniffing dog,” he whispered to Matt. “We wouldn’t be in lockdown if it was drugs. We’ll probably be evacuated soon.”
Matt nodded.
Thirty minutes later, Principal Redding and a police officer appeared at the classroom door. They talked quietly with the teacher and then left.
“Students, the school received a general threat of violence this morning,” the teacher said. “The police have searched the building and declared that it is safe. However, we are canceling classes for the rest of the day.”
Not much else of the teacher’s instruction was heard due to the cheers that went up from the students upon learning that they had the rest of the day off. Matt smiled—no chemistry exam today!
That evening, Andy learned from his dad that someone had announced his intention to “blow up the school on Friday.” The police took it very seriously, but the red marker on the bathroom stall looked like it was most likely a prank.
“Probably a student trying to get out of a test or something,” Andy’s dad said. Andy nodded slowly as a horrifying thought crossed his mind: No, Matt wouldn’t do that.
Andy went to his room and pulled out a poster he and Matt had created on Thursday—written in red permanent ink. “Can’t be. It’s just coincidence,” Andy muttered. He pulled out his phone and texted Matt, inviting him to study tomorrow evening.
Could It Be?
When Matt arrived at Andy’s home Saturday evening, they headed to the study.
“My dad said that Friday’s Code Red was a bomb threat,” Andy said with an air of indifference. “He thinks it was someone trying to get out of a test.”
“Hmm,” Matt mumbled, not looking up. He started pulling books and supplies out of his backpack, including blue, black and red markers.
“Dad said someone wrote the threat in a boys’ bathroom stall . . . with a red marker,” Andy said.
Matt opened his books on the table but said nothing.
“Matt, are you all right?” Andy asked.
Matt looked up at Andy, smiling. Slowly, he picked up the red permanent marker and held it out. After a long pause, he whispered, “It was me.”
Andy’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
“The bomb threat—I did it,” Matt said, almost bragging.
“Matt—”
“Listen, Andy, you can’t tell anybody,” Matt said urgently. “I mean, we’re friends, right? The situation is over. No one will ever know, and no one got hurt.”
“But, Matt—”
“Andy, help me out,” Matt said. “I’m already on academic probation. If I don’t pass this test, I’m in big trouble. Let’s just get this behind us and be done with it. You with me?”
When Should I Tell on a Friend?
• When he’s about to do something physically harmful to himself. If your friend is using drugs, cutting, behaving strangely, hinting at suicide or choosing actions that could harm him in any way, help him by showing concern and bringing the matter to the attention of the proper authorities. Don’t ignore words or actions that suggest there is a problem. Instead, reach out and get help.
• When he’s about to do something physically harmful to others. If your friend threatens others or hints, through actions or words, at hurting others, report it to the proper authorities. In the wake of events including the Virginia Tech shootings, there’s nothing funny about violent threats or remote suggestions. Even behaviors that might accidentally hurt or kill others, such as drinking and driving, should not be ignored.
• When he has broken the law. You might choose to confront directly the person at fault if his behavior breaks the law—even if there was no real threat—and you have a relationship with him. For example, if a friend cheats academically or is abusing alcohol, privately let him know his actions are wrong. Your goal is restoration and healing. In a situation such as Matt and Andy’s, give him the chance to confess, but if he doesn’t, it’s time for you to let an adult know. It’s a good idea for you to let a parent know before your confrontation.
How Should I Tell on a Friend?
Circumstances surrounding violent threats obviously can be intimidating and scary, and it takes courage to report suspicious activities or plans. But consider the results of doing nothing: You potentially are allowing an evil to occur instead of taking action to prevent it. Lives may be at stake. First, pray for God’s wisdom and strength. Then ask yourself . . .
• What is the problem? Is someone about to harm himself or another person? Is someone going to commit (or has committed) a sin and/or a crime?
• Who needs to know? The proper authorities are those relevant to the context of the activity. For example, threats of school violence require notifying a teacher, principal or police. (A teacher can help communicate with police.) But learning that a student cheated on an exam requires notifying only a teacher. It’s always wise to let your parents know first what’s going on. They can help and support you in communicating with the right adults.
• What do I say? Simply report the facts of what you saw, heard or experienced. Don’t make judgments. In the case of potential violence, it’s better to let a parent or teacher know even if you’re not entirely certain.
Back to Matt and Andy
“Matt, what you did was wrong—a crime,” Andy pleaded. “Don’t you realize the danger you caused for the students, staff and police? What if there’s another threat, and it turns out to be real?”
Both boys said nothing for a long while. Matt stared at the floor but finally spoke. “But I’ll be in so much trouble,” he whispered.
“Let’s go talk to my dad,” Andy said as he stood up. “I’ll go with you.” 
