“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“What class were you trying to cut?”
“Gym.”
My stomach clenches. “Thought so. Have you told Mr. Sturges why you were cutting gym?”
“No.”
“Well, someone there needs to know what’s going on.”
“Please, no.” His voice sounds desperate. “You promised.”
“I know I did, but you can’t keep cutting gym every week. You’re going to fail and have to take it over in summer school. Who the hell wants to take gym over the summer?”
“It’d be better than taking it with all these other kids.”
He has a point, and now I realize that’s exactly his plan.
“Are you mad?” he asks.
“No, of course I’m not mad. I just wish you would let me help you.”
“It’ll only make it worse.”
“I know, I know.” I was a kid once. I remember how cruel high schoolers can be. “Put Mr. Sturges back on the phone.”
“Love you.”
“Love you most.”
When the principal returns to the call, I choose my words carefully. “Look, Avery doesn’t want me to tell you the truth about what’s going on, so I’m going to be as cryptic as I can. Is there another elective he can take in place of gym? I’m sure you’re aware of the things that can go in inside of a boys’ locker room, and I don’t feel like it’s a safe environment for him.”
“Ms. King, if there is something going on in my school, then I’d like to know about it. Are you saying there’s a bullying situation?”
There’sbeena bullying situation since this kid started at that school, but I promised Avery I wouldn’t say anything to anyone, and I’m a woman of my word.
“I can neither confirm nor deny that, sir. However, I’m asking—no, I’m begging—can you please find a different option for Avery? There has to be something you can come up with to help. You know what our family has been through, and high school is hard enough without the boy’s parents.”
I hate playing thedead parentcard, but I’ll protect my nephew at all costs.
Mr. Sturges lets out a long sigh. “I’ll talk to the art teacher and see if there’s anything she needs help with during fifth period.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help.”
“But Avery was still caught cutting class, so I’m going to have to discipline him for that.”
“Yes, of course. Totally understandable.”
“Though I suppose detention isn’t the best spot for him under the circumstances,” he murmurs. “I’ll keep him in my office for thirty minutes after school. You can pick him up here in the office at 4:00.”
“Not a problem. Thanks so much.”
I toss the phone back onto my desk and let out a breath of relief.
Ryan’s teacher and my best friend, Dominique, leans against my desk. “Everything okay?”
I run my fingers through my hair and let my hand fall at my side. “Avery got caught cutting gym.”
