Page 136 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

We didn’t make it.

I stopped and stared at her, stunned. Until now, I didn’t realize how much hope I’d put into this. It seemed so doable. Five spots for five talented students. I couldn’t believe I thought it’d be that easy.

“How many did we get?” Lilly asked, her nerves already starting to fray. I could see it in the way she fisted the hem of her dress.

Rutton squinted like she was considering whether or not we deserved to know, then surprised us with a smile.

“Four.”

“Four?” Lilly and I screamed.

If this were a movie, the ceiling would fly off and fireworks would fizz into the air, exploding in a range of dazzling colors. Lilly and I would slow-motion-run to each other and break down crying with tears of joy. There would be some sort of dynamic theme song that would show everyone: See? They’re not fuckups. And Rutton would stand from behind her desk and burst into wild applause.

That didn’t happen.

But we did run to each other and ugly cry in front of Rutton. Until Lilly thought to ask, “But which student didn’t get a spot?”

Rutton’s smile faded. “Amber Myers.”

Lilly’s shoulders dropped. She wiped her eyes and said, “Oh.”

Rutton nodded. “It’s unfortunate. This isn’t going to make her mother happy.”

We were quiet for a minute then, as if we were all mentally sorting through what this would mean for our student and how we could help her through it.

Then Rutton broke the silence. “But we shouldn’t let that take away from what you’ve both achieved here. I asked for five spots, and you earned four. That’s more than we’ve managed before. When I informed the PTA, they were thrilled.”

“When do the students find out?” I asked.

“They’ll get their letters in the mail. I’ve decided to let Amber know separately. I’ll give her time to decide how she wants to handle this.”

Lilly and I nodded, then Lilly said, “Thank you for letting us know. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”

Rutton softened. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

She pushed her chair back and stood, rounding her desk and coming to stand in front of Lilly. “You both worked hard to prepare our students for this. I might not always agree with your methods, but they’re effective.”

“It was Mia, really. I just followed her lesson plan.”

Rutton gave her a faint smile. “You’re both exceptional teachers.”

“Thank you,” Lilly said, already flushing.

I was starting to feel like a fly on the wall over here.

“Being an exceptional teacher isn’t enough, though, is it?” I interrupted. “Because if it mattered, you’d give Lilly her job back.”

Well. Clearly, I ruined the moment.

Rutton clenched her fists as she turned to glare at me. “You just won’t stop, will you?”

Lilly’s head whipped to me, and I could make out her mouthed, It’s okay. Leave it.

But I couldn’t leave it because it wasn’t fair. Not on the students and not on Lilly. She deserved another chance.

I was about to say exactly that, but Rutton stunned me with, “I’ve already decided to give it to her, and if you’d stop butting in for a few seconds–”

“Wait. What?” My mouth dropped open.