Page 30 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

Chapter 13

Mia

SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL

Monday

“It isn’t just me, is it?” I asked Lilly, glancing over her shoulder.

She looked up from Kira’s paper and made a face. “It’s not just you. This isn’t great.”

She fell back in her chair, and I settled on the desk behind her.

“What do you think is going on with her?” I asked, staring at the staffroom notice board across from me.

“I don’t know, but something’s affecting her work. Her transfer came with samples of her past essays, and none of them read like this.”

Lilly turned and held my eye as she asked, “Are you okay to talk to her?”

I knew her well enough to know what she was really asking.

“I think I can handle a calm conversation with a student about their work, Lilly.”

She gave me a look, and I slapped my hands against my thighs. “Gem told you, didn’t she?”

“He seems to have a pretty persistent problem with you.”

“Well, I can’t control every parent who does, can I?”

“No, but maybe I should be the one to talk to Kira about her work. That way, if Theo gets on the offensive, he can deal with me.”

I shook my head, though the idea did hold some appeal. My one concern with bringing this up with Kira did have to do with how her father might react.

“I can handle him.”

She stared at me with those unblinking green eyes, and I thought she might try to argue. But instead, she sighed and said, “Well, if you’re sure. But keep me in the loop.”

I nodded as the bell rang, and we both gathered our things for class.

Chairs scraped back as I reminded my small class of this week’s essay topic and finished summarizing the lesson.

Diago griped on his way out. “I don’t know why my dad’s making me do this. I don’t even need advanced placement.”

Kira looked at him from her end of the classroom as Amber snapped, “Then drop out of it. He only wants you to get a place so he can brag about it.”

Amber didn’t know how right she was.

“Some of us actually need a spot, you know,” Natasha grumbled.

“I like the work,” he admitted, daring a glance at me. “But there’s so much of it.”

I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “You’ll get used to it.”

The three of them trudged out, leaving Miles and Kira behind. The poor boy was looking at her as if nothing else in the world existed, and she was quickly packing her things, trying to keep some space between them.

“Maybe you could come to my place after rehearsals? Mom’s working late, and I could make us something to eat.”

My heart almost cracked in two as I watched panic cross Kira’s features. “Uh, my dad would kill me, Miles. Um. Yesterday was nice, but I don’t think I can get away like that again.”