Noughts and Crosses: Chapter 64 Summary & Analysis

As Mr. Corsa calls Callum into his office, Callum makes note of how fancy and imposing Mr. Corsa’s office is. He sits, and Mr. Corsa says that it’d be best if Callum was suspended for a while. Callum spits that Mr. Corsa thinks he’s guilty just because Dad is supposedly guilty, and Mr. Corsa must be thrilled—there’s only one more nought after Callum to run out of the school. When Mr. Corsa notes that Shania was expelled for “gross misconduct,” Callum shouts that Shania slapped a student because he slapped her first—and he only got a scolding. 

This is happening to all noughts in Cross schools, all over the country. They’re all being expelled for minor infractions. Mr. Corsa stands, says he’ll be happy to have Callum back “once the dust clears,” and offers Callum his hand. Callum knows the dust will never clear and refuses the handshake. He slams the door as hard as he can on the way out. When Mr. Corsa comes out of the office and tells Callum to come back, Callum smiles—he doesn’t have to do what Mr. Corsa says anymore. He feels gutted, but he’s never coming back.