Pretty Girl
I’m so proud of you! Go in today and kick ass, can’t wait to see you at home
My heart fills with the warmth I so desperately needed, the panic starting to recede as I give myself time to breathe deeply, not letting my fear control me anymore.
Me
See you at OUR home. I love you
I put my phone in my pocket and shake out any remaining tension. I flex my hands, grip the door frame, and wrench the door open before I lose the nerve.
I step through the threshold and am momentarily blinded by the harsh sun before my eyes adjust to the dimmer lights used throughout the school.
Dawn is the first person I see. She races up out of her chair and around the desk before flying into my arms for a hug. I grab hold of her and let her gush over me. She checks me over like a mother would, her tiny five-foot frame somehow making me feel eye to eye with her. When she sees I’m whole and here, she swats my chest.
“This has been the scariest two weeks of my life! The least you could’ve done is call! How is that angel of yours?” she asks in rapid fire. Her glasses are perched on her head, pushing her graying hair back so her face is clear.
“She’s okay. She’s back at work today too. And we got your fruit basket. Avery sends her thanks.” I soothe her with a warm smile.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. That one is a fighter, you know.”
“She is. I don’t know how I got so lucky,” I reply, smiling at the talk of my favorite person. The brief distraction easesthe tension building inside me. The area is surprisingly empty, as if Dawn knew I was coming and didn’t want me to be overwhelmed. The carpet seems to be new, the smell clinging to the air, and my gaze drops right about where Avery fell.
I look around expecting a stain, and the relief that hits me when I realize it’s gone nearly makes me stumble.
“Oh, Kane, maybe it’s too soon. You should go sit down,” Dawn says, fussing over me.
“I’m okay. It’s just a lot to take in at once. Is Principal Danner in already? He wanted me to see him first,” I say, worry lacing my tone.
“He is, but you can wait. Get settled in first. I’ll hold him off,” she tries to reassure me.
I want to rip the Band-Aid off and talk to him. I need to know whether or not I still have a job after this—I’m not ready to leave this place or these kids.
“No, that’s okay. I’d rather get it over with,” I say, giving her one last hug and then heading to the front of the building, the hallway leading to the receptionists in front of the principal and each year’s vice principal.
I knock on the door and hear a gruffcome in. When I turn the handle and push the heavy brown door open, Principal Danner is sitting behind his desk, glasses on the bridge of his nose and a mountain of paperwork in front of him.
He’s in his late forties, the gray peppering his temples and mixing in with his light brown hair. He has youthful skin and an athletic build, and he also helps coach the boys’ football team here.
“Kane! Good to see you. Come in and have a seat.” His overly loud voice fills the room. I enter and close the door behind me, then make my way to one of the brown leather chairs in front of his desk and sit.
“It’s good to see you, Principal Danner,” I say, nodding my head at him.
“No need for all that. Call me Eric. How are you doing? How is that girlfriend of yours healing?” he asks, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest.
“Good. We’re good. Her doctor gave her the all-clear to resume light activities, so she went back to work already. We are both just trying to get back to normal,” I reply, my hands fiddling in my lap, the anxiety threatening to creep up on me again.
“Good, good. I’m glad to hear it. I brought you in after going over your statement with the cops. They informed me about your previous encounter with Mr. Wilde and the events that may have led him to come here as he did,” he starts, my head hanging in shame at the way my wrong actions somehow brought this down on the school.
“I’m so sorry, Eric. I really am. I don’t know what I was thinking except I put everyone here in danger,” I acknowledge, shame coating my every word.
“Yes, well, I don’t blame you.” My head snaps up to look at him, shock coursing through me.
“Wh-what?” I stutter out.
“I said I don’t blame you. We all missed it, and we all failed the kid except for you. As teachers, it is our duty to notice these things, and no other teacher has done what you did to keep that kid safe. This is my fault as a principal, and I have failed the people trusted in my care. Going forward, all doors will be locked as soon as school starts. Access will only be granted through the front office, and an officer will now be posted there during school hours and for the hours after to protect my staff. You will be on probation for your actions, but as long as there are no more fistfights, you will continue to work here and advocate forthese kids,” he says with a no-nonsense tone, his eyebrow raising.
“Yes, sir,” I agree.
