Page 137 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

Lilly’s eyes went wide as her gaze flitted from Rutton to me. “You–did you?”

Rutton let out a disappointed grunt, shut her eyes, and nodded. Lilly and I screamed.

Our boss put her hands to her ears. “Oh, please calm down.”

But how could we?

This was the best news either of us had in a while. We earned four spots, and Lilly got her job back. After all the havoc and drama, finally, we had a win.

This was something to celebrate.

But Lilly did manage to settle down just enough for her anxiety to kick in. “Are you sure? I mean, I know it wasn’t just about what happened between Mia and Mr Hudson. I know the units and the parents–”

Rutton lowered her hands and cut her off with a sigh. “What happened wasn’t within your control. The only thing you can control as head teacher is the way in which our students are taught. I wanted results, and you gave them to me. You both did.”

“But, what about–”

“Lilly, please. I’ve already had to put up with weeks of Mia’s badgering. Just take the promotion before I change my mind again.”

“We need a round of boozy bingo,” Lilly squealed. “Tonight. You, me, and Shawn.”

I smiled at her. “He’s going to be thrilled when you tell him.”

She squeezed my hand and looked back at Rutton’s closed door. We stood in the hallway, and it was eerily quiet compared to the chaos we caused in the principal’s office.

“I still can’t believe she changed her mind.”

“I can.” I tugged on her hand. “You earned it, like you said you would.”

Lilly beamed at me. “Only because I had your work to lean on. I wouldn’t have gotten it back without you.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “You wouldn’t have lost it in the first place if not for me.”

“That’s not true, and you know it.” She started moving down the hallway and jerked me into step beside her. “You’re not as much trouble as you think you are.”

I wasn’t sure I agreed with that, but at least Lilly was given what she deserved.

I couldn’t ask the universe for more than that.

Chapter 54

Theo

THEO’S APARTMENT

Wednesday evening

Kira padded out of her room, still smiling. It was a tired smile, but I was glad to see it.

She sat at the table, and I set her favorite dish in front of her. Red curry with fried naan bread.

“It doesn’t feel real,” she said, a little dazed.

“But it is. You did it.”

She let out a happy sound, thanked me for dinner, and watched as I unfolded the letter she brought home.

I read it again. And I thought about Tash. For the first time in a long time, thinking about her didn’t hurt the way it used to.