Another bullet, Idoknow the rules. My throat starts to burn, I’m pretty sure how this is going to end and there’s nothing I can do about it. There’s nothing anyone in this room can do about it.
“I do, Ms. Herrera.” Nodding as I answer, I set my eyes back on the floor as I wait for the final blow.
“Because of that, we have no other choice but to terminate you.” A collective gasp and whispered refusals surround us. “As well as Ms. Bailey.”
I look at Ellie, her eyes are filled with something sad. Remorse? Or worse . . .regret?
“Effective immediately.”
Chapter thirty-one
Ellie
Immediately?
I can’t keep myself together when Ms. Herrera announces to the room that Benny and I are getting terminated. I could throw up. My head is spinning as the room shouts and yells opposing her decision.
What have I done?
Emma’s arm is around my shoulders in an instant, Benny still holding my hand on the other side as I choke back my sobs. Ms. Herrera continues addressing the termination to the room, but I can’t make out her words, they’re muffled behind my own heartbeat—a bass drum pounding in my ears. My breathing is uneven as Benny responds to Ms. Herrera. His hand firmly surrounding mine, a steadying anchor amidst the anxiety that could pull me under at any moment. I sniffle and swallow the huge ball of moisture clinging to the back of my throat. I wipe my burning eyes, tears soaking my face.
The room is blurry, but I see Benny’s mouth moving. I focus on his lips as they speak to the room. Emma’s arm is still wrapped around me as she rubs my shoulder, Benny’s hand holding me in place. They’ve got me.
The pounding in my ears turns to a faint ringing and I can hear Benny’s words. “I implore you to reconsider this decision.” His voice sounds like it’s inside a wind tunnel, he keeps going. “Maybe look at the statistics Patsy provided?”
“I’m afraid we can’t do that”—I hear Miss Herrera clearly now— “Rules are rules.”
The room starts to revolt again, booing and yelling, I even hear a few students mutter profanities under their breath. A smile pulls at the corners of my mouth over the support they are showing us. The kids I had no intention of caring about a mere few months ago are here going to battle for me. It’s an overwhelming feeling I can’t think about right now.
Some students start to act out in their remarks, yelling over Ms. Herrera and Benny, building off of each other as they grow to a mini mob shaking their fists and pointing at the board.
Ms. Herrera looks over them with discontent, waiting for the room to settle before she continues. But it doesn’t, the silence riles them up more. I watch the board lean over to each other whispering—Ms. Herrera not budging—until my eyes land on an older gentleman off to the left. He’s been quiet throughout this entire ordeal, dressed to impress with a double-breasted suit and red pocket square. I’m just now noticing how overdressed he is compared to the rest of us. His eyes meet mine and I swear they crinkle at the corners.
For some reason, I smile at him, his eyes are kind and somewhat wise underneath his thick frame glasses.
Then, as if I called him to the podium myself, he watches me as he stands and literally glides to Ms. Herrera’s side. He towers over her short petite frame.
He clears his throat and stands up straight as he watches the room, they’ve all noticed the mysterious man at the podium too as they instantly fall silent.
“Molly, why don’t you take a seat?” He looks down at her, placing his hand on her back and guiding her away from the podium. Ms. Herrera is hesitant but eventually moves back to her seat with the rest of the board. “Ladies and gentlemen . . . and students.” The man nods as he addresses all of us. “In all my years, I have never attended a meeting quite like this one.” He smooths out his striped tie. “The support and comradery surrounding these two faculty members is quite encouraging.” He rests his hands on the edges of the podium, relaxed and smiling at us.
“Who—”
“The President of the board,” Emma whispers to me, answering my question before I can finish asking it.
The President continues, “As much as I would like to hear your statistics, Patsy”—he looks down at his shiny and expensive looking watch—“we are low on time.” The crowd attempts to respond again, he holds his hand up effortlessly. “So . . .”
The crowd is silent as he lingers on the word. Benny’s grip tightens around my hand, I squeeze back.
“We will just have to take your word for it.” He winks at Ms. Pat.
“Excuse me, what?” Benny asks, clearly just as confused as I am.
The man raises his eyebrows as he smirks off to my right, I follow his gaze to Patsy who is smiling back victoriously. She catches my eyes and winks at me.
Wait . . .
I whip my gaze back to the man at the podium, excitement building in my chest as I hold my breath. He’s looking at Benny and I over his glasses, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Consider your termination, terminated.”
