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My shoulders falter at the sound of Mom’s hesitant voice.
“Are you all right?”
I turn enough to meet her gaze before shaking my head. Even that miniscule movement takes a herculean effort. “No. I’d like to go home now.”
Mom’s lips flatten into a thin line as she nods and opens her arms to me. That’s all the encouragement I need to fly into their comforting strength. And then I’m cocooned in the familiar scent of her perfume. The one she’s worn forever.
When I was a kid and something was wrong, she’d wrap me up in her arms and the soothing floral scent would envelop me. Back then, it was easy to believe that everything would work out the way it was supposed to, and life would carry on in much the same way it once had.
With a sinking heart, I realize that’s no longer possible.
DELILAH
Nerves prickle along my skin as Mom grumbles from the seat beside me and I sneak another peek at my phone.
It’s quarter to seven in the morning.
“Can you drive a little faster?” I ask, wishing she would press the pedal to the metal.
She shoots me a bleary-eyed look that borders on sour. “Why did we have to leave so early? I didn’t get a chance to make a cup of coffee.”
I nibble my lower lip. “I need to talk to someone.”
“School doesn’t even start until half past seven.”
Instead of meeting the questioning gaze she spears me with, I stare straight out the windshield at the passing scenery as the gated property of Hawthorne Prep comes into view. I don’t want to tell her about my plan to speak with Mr. Pembroke before Austin arrives for their meeting.
They must have talked on the phone at some point yesterday, and he filled her in on all the ugly details, because she told me to stay away from him. She reminded me that this wasn’t the first time he'd gotten into a fistfight with Jasper. Even though we’d been alone in our house, she’d dropped her voice to a hushedwhisper and told me that he would probably get expelled, since this was his second offense in a matter of months.
I can’t allow that to happen.
Still muttering under her breath, she parks the Civic at the back of the lot. Before she can kill the engine, I grab my bag and jump out before racing toward the entrance. The sun is just rising over the stone structure, bathing it in incandescent light. From the outside, it’s a gorgeous, three-story building with beautifully detailed architecture. Inside, however, it’s a veritable nightmare except for those at the very top of the social food chain.
“You’re not even going to wait for me?” Mom calls out, raising her voice.
I whip around. “Sorry. I’ll see you later, okay?”
She waves me off in irritation.
Once I reach the set of double doors, I yank the handle and jog through the corridor. The soles of my shoes echo off the black and white marble tile. It’s not a surprise to find the halls deserted at this time of the morning. The only students here are the kids on the swim team, and they’re probably finishing up in the Olympic sized pool.
As soon as I reach the main office, I scan the interior. Austin and his mother aren’t here yet. Mrs. Baxter glances up from her desk in surprise. A friendly smile wreathes her weathered face when she catches sight of me. She’s a grandmotherly type and one of the few genuinely nice people here. She doesn’t treat anyone differently based on their income bracket. It doesn’t matter to her if you’re at HP on scholarship or your parents bought a seat on the board.
“My goodness. You’re here awfully early.”
“Yes,” I huff, heart still pumping from my sprint. “I was hoping to speak with Mr. Pembroke.”
She spears a quick glance at his closed office door before leaning toward me and dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Now’s not a good time. He’s preparing for a meeting.”
“I know.” Impatience spirals through me as I hop from one foot to the other. “There’s important information I need to share with him.”
Her brows pinch together as her lips sink at the corners. It’s an odd look on her normally smiling face. “I’m afraid he asked not to be disturbed.”
Everything inside me plummets. “Please, Mrs. Baxter? It’s important. I don’t want Austin to get expelled.” I pause before adding desperately, “Especially after what he’s been through.”
Sympathy floods her expression as her hand flutters to her ample chest. “Oh dear, I know. What happened to Griffin was so tragic.” A faraway look fills her eyes. “I remember when he used to walk these very halls.”
Just as I steeple my hands, ready to plead my case, she capitulates. “All right. I’ll see if you can pop in for a minute or two. That’s all the time he can spare, Delilah. I hope you understand.”
