Page 67 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

“He moved everything for me,” Kira went on. “I know it was what Mom wanted, but it would’ve been easier for him to keep us in Oakhaven.”

She paused then, thinking, and I probably should’ve moved us into meditative silence, especially since Diago was now up and walking, but I had to ask, “Was moving here what you wanted?”

“Mhm. I wanted to do this for Mom.”

My heart melted. It was something Lilly would say.

“She’d be so proud of you. You’re doing so well.”

Kira’s smile was like a sunbeam. “Thanks, Miss Walker. I know why she wanted us here. It’s a lot like how she pictured it.”

Natasha jumped up, shouting, “I know what to write next,” and we all stood as the soundtrack ended.

Later, as the bell rang and everyone filed out, Miles and Kira stopped by my desk to let me know they’d be at rehearsals tonight. The two goofballs couldn’t hide it. They were excited about the kiss scene.

Ugh, the kiss scene.

God, I hoped making out with a Hudson wouldn’t cause Miles as much trouble as it was causing me.

Just the thought of it was enough to make me drag my feet all the way to the staffroom door. But then, Lilly’s voice drifted into the hallway.

She was singing.

I picked up the pace, turning on my heel and stepping inside, already shrugging off my tote bag.

She looked up from her desk. “Hey. How was class?”

I put my hands on my hips and bent to check her face. No tears, no flushing. No panic. Huh.

She raised a brow. “You okay there?”

“Are you okay? You were singing.”

“Oh.” She waved her hand, and I straightened. “I’m fine. Better than fine, actually.” She wriggled in her seat. “Rutton spoke to me while you were in class and–”

I groaned. “She didn’t approve your romance canon workshop, did she?”

She took my hand. “No. At least, not yet, anyway. She said the parents have been happy so far.” Her voice rose to a squeak. “With me.”

My mouth dropped, and I squealed too. “It’s about bloody time they realized how great you are.”

I squeezed her hand as she stood, then wrapped her in my arms so I could squish her.

“I’m so proud of you, Lil.”

She let me go, grinning. Her smile was so bright it made my throat tighten. “It’s really the program. The biweekly updates show how well the class is doing. Everyone’s happy.”

I thought of Ashley’s glare. “Surely not everyone.”

She shrugged. “Well, okay. Not Ashley. But she will be once Amber earns her spot.”

It was my turn to raise a brow at her. “You have a lot of faith in me, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. And I know Amber will get there too.” She squeezed my hand again. “Rutton said she has to wait until the end of term, but she isn’t looking for my replacement anymore. I think my job is safe.”

The relief I felt couldn’t be put into words. So I pulled her in for another hug and blinked back tears. She mumbled a stream of thanks into my shoulder. Thank you for being here, thank you for taking on the program, thank you for working so hard, thank you for standing up for me.

“No, Lil. You did the work. You deserve this.”