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“She’s in Principal Schneider’s office.” She pointed to the closed wooden door. “You can go right in.”
“Thanks.”
She nodded and then answered a ringing phone.
I knocked. A moment later, a balding man in a brown suit opened the door.
“Ms. Gravestone,” he greeted. “Please come in.”
I stepped into his office, my eyes passing over the polished bookshelves and registering the scent of lemon pledge. My gaze rested on my sister. She slouched in a chair, her expression surly.
She was all attitude.
I’d patched up Savage and Duke enough times to know the tell-tale signs of fighting, but from what I could see, she wasn’t injured. No scratch marks or bruises. No split lip or swelling eyes.
“You okay?” I asked her quietly as I took the chair next to her.
She nodded but otherwise didn’t say anything.
“Thank you for coming down so quickly,” Principal Schneider said. “I’m sorry to interrupt your,” he paused, his gaze sweeping over me in clear judgment, “work day.”
I frowned. What the hell did this man think I did for work?
“What happened?” I asked, shoving aside my immediate dislike for the man.
“Waverly attacked a boy in the hallway between classes,” Principal Schneider stated. “It took two teachers to separate them.”
“Why did she attack him?” I asked.
“She won’t tell us,” Principal Schneider said. “But as I said on the phone, we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence, so the result will be suspension no matter what.”
“I know my sister,” I said. “And I know she wouldn’t have attacked anyone unless they did something to warrant it.”
“Ms. Gravestone,” Principal Schneider droned. “This isn’t the first time your sister has been in trouble—”
I looked at Waverly and interrupted Principal Schneider. “Did he touch you?”
“No,” she said.
“Did he threaten you? What happened?” My eyes widened, pleading with Waverly to give me something.
“It’s not like that.” She looked at her nails. The red polish was already chipped and she picked at her cuticle, like she couldn’t be bothered with this meeting.
“The boy’s parents are calling for expulsion,” Principal Schneider said. “Expulsion is a bit excessive, but I cannot let Waverly’s transgression slide. She’s suspended for a week and will receive zeros on all her homework assignments and tests. With her grades the way they currently are, your sister will fail her sophomore year unless she takes summer school to ensure she graduates on time.”
“Fail? She’s going tofail?” I felt lightheaded.
“Great,” Waverly sassed, rising from her chair. “Can I go now?”
Principal Schneider’s mouth pinched into a line and he nodded.
I rummaged in my purse for my keys and handed them to her. “Straight to the car. No detours.”
Waverly took the keys from me and left the room, the door closing with finality.
“I had no idea she was doing so poorly in school,” I said softly. “I know she has a tutor, but…”
“I’ve made a few calls to your mother that have gone unreturned. I wanted to discuss your sister’s lack of motivation with her, but your mother hasn’t made herself available.” He paused. “Is everything all right at home?”
