Columbine

by Dave Cullen

“Look to your left,” he told them. “Look to your right.” He instructed them to study the smiling faces and then close their eyes and imagine one of them gone. He told them to repeat after him: “I am a valued member of Columbine High School. And I’m not in this alone.” That’s when he told them he loved them, as he always did. “Open your eyes,” he said. “I want to see each and every one of your bright, smiling faces again Monday morning.” He paused. “When you’re thinking about doing something that could get you in trouble, remember, I care about you,” he said. “I love you, but remember, I want us all together. We are one large family, we are—” He left the phrase dangling. That was the students’ signal. They leapt to their feet and yelled: “COL-um-BINE!”