I hugged my bag tighter to my side.
This wasn’t about detention.I knew that much.The only reason I’d get into trouble would be for too many missed days or maybe assignments I hadn’t caught up on.It had felt like the teachers had been watching me a bit more closely lately with worry.
Granted, enough had probably happened since the start of school for them to watch me more intently.Between the violence of the Ryder gang and the bullying that had happened, my life had become a bit of a soap opera for others to pay attention to.It was only thanks to the guys that much of it didn’t reach me.And after the threat from the principal along with the threat Paxon had actually made, a lot of the bullying had died down to a simmer too.The remarks were still there, but at least they weren’t being brazen about approaching me or setting me up.
But then Laurens happened, chasing Janice and me through these hallways, shooting at us.There had been no protection for us then and the teachers were all too aware of the potential for violence at the school now.That incident had darkened the school and I was that connection.So yeah, they worried.
My throat dried out as I got closer to the main office.The air grew heavier, and I swore the fluorescent lights were buzzing louder and brighter than they normally did.
The secretary gave me a polite smile.“She’s ready for you,” she said and motioned toward the principal’s door.It was closed, so I froze just short of knocking.My hand hovered uselessly to the knob as my pulse spiked.I swallowed, trying to force myself to breathe normally.I was only facing a door.
My knock ended up being too light, but I couldn’t get myself to hit the door harder.It didn’t matter anyway.
“Come in,” came through, muffled by the barrier between us.
I drew in a breath, steading and bracing myself before pushing my way inside.
Principal Calgary was standing, leaning over her desk at papers when I entered.She straightened, her posture as steady and unyielding as ever.She was a short woman, but no one ever dared to underestimate her.Not with her strong presence.
Her hair caught my attention first, like it always did.Long, silver-grey, shimmering under the lights.She wore it down, brushing smoothly past her shoulders.
“Ms.Wiles,” she said, her voice clipped but not unkind.She motioned to the chair in front of her.“Come in and take a seat.”
I stepped further in, closing the door gently behind me.As I settled into the chair, I glanced around at the familiar office.Nothing had changed.The shelves along the wall still bowed slightly under the weight of books and binders.Her desk was pristine, no clutter, no chaos, just neat stacks of folders and a single notebook laid open beside her computer.
I set my bag at my feet, fingers tangling in the strap.
Principal Calgary sat down too.For a moment, she studied me with sharp, assessing eyes that made my skin prickle.She was beautiful in that intimidating way, full of confidence I wish I had.She was not someone anyone dared to cross, which made her a strong advocate for her students.And while she’d always been on my side, I’d heard enough stories to know she had no problem putting students in their place if they crossed a line.
I really hoped I hadn’t crossed that line.
She leaned forward, elbows resting lightly on the desk.“Cadence, how are you?”
Her question was not the one I was expecting, and I fumbled for an answer.“Um...fine?”
One of her brows arched.“That didn’t sound very convincing.”
Heat crawled up my neck.“I’ve been managing.”
“Managing,” she repeated, tapping her finger lightly against her desk.“Cadence, I’ve been reviewing your records.You’ve missed more days than you can afford this semester.Your grades aren’t failing, but they’re slipping.I know you’re someone who takes your academics seriously and tends to do very well, that tells me you’re not as fine as you’re telling me.”
I swallowed hard.“I’ve just had a lot going on.”
She studied me for a beat longer but didn’t push.“I didn’t call you here to punish you.I’m simply concerned.You’re bright, extremely talented, and very capable.I don’t want to see you fall behind when you’re so close to the finish line.”
The only response I could give her was a stiff nod.
“I want you to consider tutoring,” she continued.“Someone to help you get back on track in classes, especially with physics since that’s the class you’re doing the worst in.We can assign someone to you or if you’d prefer, you can choose someone you trust.Either way, you need a plan to get back on track.”
The word tutoring made my stomach twist.I already knew who was top of physics class.
Paxon.
The thought of sitting across from him, of pretending we were fine while he still couldn’t even meet my eyes at lunch was enough to make me want to sink into the floor.
But Principal Calgary’s expression brooked no argument, and I had no doubt if I left it up to her, he’d still be the best choice.I knew Paxon had tutored other students before, so it wouldn’t be an uncommon request.
“I’ll find someone,” I managed to say.
