My cheeks burn, but I don’t take the bait. Connor hates me and would love to see me crack. I look backdown at the pages of my book but the words swirl as I fume.
“It’s a little late to start that don’t you think?”
I slam it closed and look up at him again. “I already finished it.”
He rests his elbow on the arm of his chair. “Reading it twice doesn’t give you extra credit.”
“Not that grades even matter anymore.” I slump down in my chair.
His smile resembles a wax figure. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one listening during the assembly. Want a gold star?”
I turn in my seat so I’m facing him. “Why are you here, Connor?”
“I imagine for the same reason you are.” He leans over, and his face is close enough that I can see the green specks in his hazel eyes. They sparkle in amusement. “I want to know what the new requirements are for Citrus Scholar.”
I clench my jaw.
“You didn’t think that I was going to stand back and let you have it, did you?”
I pull my backpack in my lap and put my book inside. “I earned that scholarship, Connor.”
He lifts a shoulder. “Maybe under the old rules. But as we both know, things change.”
My toe taps against the floor and my bag jostles in my lap as I avoid looking at Connor. If I look at him, I might punch him, and I highly doubt assault is one of the new requirements for Citrus Scholar.
Thankfully, it doesn't take too long before our headmaster appears.
“Ella,” he says, looking at me.
I jump up immediately. “Dr. Freck.”
“I assume you’re here to discuss the announcement from the assembly.”
I clutch my backpack to my chest and nod vigorously.
He turns to Connor. “You, too?”
Connor stands and pulls his backpack over his shoulder. “Yes, sir.”
Dr. Freck pinches the bridge of his nose. “Okay. Then I guess you’d both better come in.” He opens the door to his office and ushers us inside.
I wish I could have this conversation without Connor, but I don’t dare push my luck. It’s obvious Dr. Freck doesn’t want to talk to me at all. I’m lucky he’s willing to discuss it further—even if Connor will be there the entire time.
Connor lets me walk in first but follows closely behind. We sit as Dr. Freck takes his seat across his desk from us. He steeples his fingers in front of him. “As I said multiple times in the assembly, we will be giving more information about our changes to class rankings and Citrus Scholar soon.”
“What if I can’t wait?” I cry.
He raises his brows.
“I just…” I rub my hands over my thighs. “I want to know what I need to be doing as soon as possible.”
Dr. Freck straightens a pen on his desk. “Being in class on the first day of school is a great start.”
My cheeks warm at his chastisement, but I’m already here. I’ve missed my first day of Calculus, and it doesn't make sense to turn back now. I take a steadying breath. “Is it possible to know what else is important?"
His face is expressionless as he stares back at me.
“Since we’re already here and all.”
