Page 139 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

My focus snapped to Ashley, who replied with, “You’re the ones who did something wrong, not me.”

Theo laughed, and though there was no humor in it, I was glad he was here. Because as much as I wanted to tear Ashley a new one, I had my teacher filter fitted good and tight. It was the last night of the school year, and I’d promised both Rutton and Lilly that I’d be on my best behavior. I wasn’t going to let Ashley ruin that for me.

“That’s not true.” Kira’s soft voice interrupted whatever Theo was about to say. “Miss Walker didn’t give me special treatment. I worked hard to get my spot.”

Ashley’s gaze fixed on Kira, horrified that Theo’s daughter was actually speaking to her.

Kira, dressed in her lead-role, bad-girl outfit, stood half a step in front of me, like she was trying to protect me.

Me. After what I’d done and all the trouble it caused her.

“Miss Walker did everything she could to help us,” Kira said, her voice rising. “And what you did was wrong.”

“What I did?” Ashley snorted, outraged. “What about what they did? After what she put you through–”

“You mean after what you put me through.”

Theo’s other hand was on his daughter’s shoulder, quietly reassuring her. But it didn’t calm her. It had the opposite effect.

“You’re the one who took the picture. You’re the one who told Amber to send it to the rest of our class.”

“Kira, it’s fine. I can handle this.” I patted her arm and told her she could go back on set.

She shook her head. “No. She should apologize.”

I could feel Theo smiling behind me. I could hear it in his voice. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”

For a split second, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in Ashley’s expression. But then she said, “Why would I apologize? My daughter didn’t get a spot because of you,” and I knew nothing had changed.

It only got worse when Amber stepped out from behind her mother. “Mom, come on. It isn’t their fault.”

Amber was dressed in jeans and a hoodie. Out of her South Bronx uniform, she looked so young.

Ashley’s gaze flitted to her daughter, then settled on Kira. “Amber spent months studying, writing essays, doing research. Either she didn’t get a spot because she isn’t smart enough, or you three had something to do with it. So which is it?”

I watched Amber shut down. It was in her face, her shoulders, her eyes. I’d seen it more than once, and each time, it weighed on me a little more.

Now the weight of it was unbearable, and I had enough. I was well and truly over Ashley’s shit.

“You’re the reason Amber didn’t get a spot,” I snapped. “You put pressure on her all year and made her feel like shit. If anything, you should get your head out of your ass and apologize to your daughter.”

Kira and I didn’t need an apology. Not from someone like her.

I was done.

I slipped away from Theo’s touch, passed by Kira, and left Ashley open-mouthed as I climbed onstage. I knew I was meant to be on my best behavior, but I had to draw the line somewhere.

“Miss Walker, wait,” Kira called after me.

I paused and looked over my shoulder. Immediately, my eyes found Theo. He stared up at his daughter from below the stage, watching as if he had no idea what she’d do next.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she said, and I gently pulled her to the side. Gem was yelling directions nearby, and we didn’t need anyone to overhear.

“No, I shouldn’t have spoken to Mrs Myers like that. She’s a parent, and what I said was–”

“Not that. I meant with my dad.”

From the corner of my eye, I watched Theo climb the short steps to join us. He dominated the stage. It was hard not to stare at him as he stood behind his daughter.