“Yes,” I said.
He closed the file and folded his hands on top of it. “Why all the back and forth?”
I hadn’t realized this was going to be a counseling session. Why couldn’t he just give me my punishment and let me go? Maybe if I gave him all the gritty details, he’d go easy on me and not kick me out of Mr. Gordon’s class.
“My dad walked out on me when I was seven, so growing up, it was just me and my mom, but then she died in a car accident. My aunt Beth and uncle Dean—Abby Benson’s parents—took me in because that’s what my mom wanted but also because we couldn’t find my father.” I took a deep breath. “Somehow, he found out what had happened and came to get me. That’s why I had to leave and go to Malibu. Believe me, I didn’t want to.” I laughed nervously. “The day I turned eighteen, I moved back here.”
Principal Donavan was silent for a moment; then he nodded. “I see.”
“The past year hasn’t exactly been easy,” I said. And he didn’t even know the half of it. “Losing my mom crushed me, and even though I’m learning to deal with it, some days are harder than others.” That wasn’t a lie, so I didn’t feel bad saying it.
“Have you spoken to a grief counselor?”
“Yes.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat again.
“I’m truly sorry you’ve had to deal with so much at such a young age, Chloe.” His expression was sympathetic, and for a fleeting moment, guilt stabbed at me, but I pushed it away.
“Thank you.”
“However, we don’t tolerate disrespect toward our teachers,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
“I know.” I sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I did to Mr. Gordon, but in my defense, he basically called me slow.”
A fresh spark of anger ignited in my chest at how he’d been so smug, as if he enjoyed making students feel bad.
“He did what?” Principal Donavan’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline.
I explained exactly what happened and what was said. When I finished, I blew out a breath and rubbed my palms along the armrests.
“Well, I suppose I’ll have to have a chat with Mr. Gordon. Still, that doesn’t excuse your behavior in his classroom, or talking back to him.” Principal Donavan gave me a stern look.
“I know.”
“Life Skills is a required class for graduation, and Mr. Gordon is the only one who teaches it, so you’re going to have to learn to get along.” Principal Donavan leaned forward and once again folded his arms on his desk. “When you get out there in the real world, you’re going to meet a lot of people you may not like, and you might even have to work with them. So…”
He tapped his desk. “Let’s consider this a practical life lesson, shall we?” He grinned. “I want you to write a three-page paper on how to work with someone you don’t like. You can work on it during detention. In Mr. Gordon’s room. Starting today. And you’ll have detention for as long as it takes you to finish this paper. Understood?”
I refrained from rolling my eyes, but I couldn’t completely stifle my groan. Detention on a Friday? Ugh. “Yes, I understand,” I said.
“Good. And you’ll apologize to Mr. Gordon for disrupting his class.” Principal Donavan stood. “See Miss Jameson on your way out, and she’ll give you a pass.”
I stood, then hesitated. “Mr. Gordon said I wasn’t allowed to return to his class today.”
“Unfortunately, he’s going to have to let you.” Principal Donavan opened his office door. I waited for him to explain, but he didn’t. “Have a good day, Miss Madison.”
“Thanks. You too.” Grabbing my backpack, I slung it over my shoulder and headed toward Miss Jameson’s desk.
After getting a pass, I stepped into the hallway. A sudden chill snaked up my arms. Why was it always so cold in this school? I took my time walking to Mr. Gordon’s room, but the longer it took me, the stronger my unease became. Not because I had to face him again, but because I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched.
I glanced around. The hallway was completely empty. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on edge. I picked up my pace, suddenly very eager to get back to class. I rounded the corner and came to a skidding halt.
Jax leaned against a locker, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. I forced myself not to stare at him.
“What’s the hurry?” he asked.
“What’re you doing out here?” I narrowed my eyes, trying to appear angry, but truthfully, I was glad he was here.
Every instinct I had was screaming at me that I wasn’t safe, that someone was watching me. But who? I shook my head. Being alone in this hallway was messing with my mind.
Jax and I had formed a tentative friendship, but I still didn’t allow myself to be alone with him. The bond we’d shared faded more and more each day, but I still cared for Jax. I always would, and I wasn’t willing to let him use whatever lingering feelings I had to wiggle his way back into my life and heart. We were friends, soon to be in-laws, and that was all.
“I’m waiting for you.” Jax pushed away from the locker and sauntered toward me.
I took a small step back. “Why?”
He smirked, and my breath caught. “You know why.”
I backed up a little more, though I didn’t know why. He could catch up to me quickly if he really wanted to.
“Knock it off, Jax,” I said with a laugh, hoping he knew this was nothing more than a joke to me.
“Seriously, I was just worried, okay?” he said, hands up
