The walk to the principal’s office felt like walking to my execution. Each step echoed in the empty hallway. Other students peeked out of classroom doorways as I passed.
I knocked on Principal Rufus‘ door.
“Come in.”
I pushed open the heavy wooden door. Principal Rufus sat behind his large desk, papers scattered across the surface. He was a tall man with graying hair and kind eyes that looked tired.
“Have a seat, Avery.”
I sat in the chair across from his desk. My hands were sweating.
“Do you know why you’re here?”
“No sir.”
He leaned back in his chair and studied my face. “Ms. Rachna is concerned about you.”
My heart sank. I’d been right.
“She says your academic performance has dropped significantly this week. That you’re refusing to participate in class.”
“I participate sometimes.”
“But not today during the oral quiz.”
I stared at my hands. “I didn’t feel like talking.”
“That’s not like you, Avery. Your teacher described you as engaged and thoughtful. According to her, you performed really well the first few days she got here but changed drastically later on.”
A soft knock interrupted us. The door opened and Ms. Rachna walked in.
“Thank you for coming,” Principal Rufus said. “Please sit.”
Ms. Rachna took the chair next to mine. I could feel her looking at me with those concerned eyes.
“Ms. Rachna has shared some interesting observations,” the principal continued. “She believes there may be issues affecting your performance.”
“What kind of issues?” I asked quietly.
Principal Rufus reached into his desk drawer and pulled out the school literary magazine. He opened it to page twelve and set it on the desk between us.
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Chapter 21
“Did you write this story, Avery?”
F:
34
I stared at the page. At my story about invisible children and family favoritism. At the words that had poured out of my pain.
“Why do you think I wrote it?”
“Your teacher seems pretty confident you did.”
I glanced at Ms. Rachna. She was watching me with certainty in her eyes.
“Ms. Rachna says the writing style matches your class work. The themes align with your recent behavior changes.”
“Lots of people could have written that.”
“Could they?” Ms. Rachna spoke for the first time. “The author has a very specific understanding of psychological manipulation within families. Of what it feels like to be systematically overlooked.”
“Maybe they read about it somewhere.”
“Or maybe they lived it.”
Principal Rufus held up his hand. “Let’s focus on facts. Avery, did you write the story titled ‘Invisible“?”
I looked at both of them. At their expectant faces. At the evidence spread out on the desk.
“No. I didn’t write it.”
“You’re certain?”
“I’m certain.”
Principal Rufus sighed. I could see he didn’t believe me, but he couldn’t prove I was lying.
“Alright. Let’s move on to the classroom issues.”
He turned to a different page in his notes,
“Ms. Rachna says you refused to participate in today’s quiz. That you wouldn’t even stand up when called on.”
“I just didn’t want to.”
“Why not?”
S
I couldn’t tell them the real reason. Couldn’t explain about my parents‘ warnings not to outshine Ava.
“I don’t know. I just wasn’t interested.”
“You weren’t interested in English literature? The subject you usually excel in?”
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Chapter 21
“I guess not.”
:
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Ms. Rachna leaned forward. “Avery, if someone at home is discouraging you from academic achievement-
“No one is discouraging me from anything.”
“Then why the sudden change in behavior?”
“There’s no sudden change. Maybe you’re just noticing me more now.”
Principal Rufus made a note in his file. “Are you having problems at home?”
“No.”
“Problems with friends?”
“No.”
“Health issues?”
“No.”
He set down his pen and looked at me directly. “Then help me understand why a previously well mannered student is suddenly refusing to participate in class.”
I stared at the literary magazine still open on his desk. At my story about becoming visible. About refusing to stay invisible.
The irony wasn’t lost on me.
“I don’t know,” I said finally.
Principal Rufus and Ms. Rachna exchanged a look.
“Avery,” the principal said slowly, “we’re here to help you. But we can only help if you’re honest with us.”
“I am being honest.”
“Are you?”
I nodded.
Another long pause. I could hear the clock ticking on the wall behind me.
“Ms. Rachna, do you have anything else to add?”
“Just that I’m very concerned. This isn’t normal adolescent behavior. Something is wrong.
93
Principal Rufus made another note. “Avery, I want you to know that my door is always open. If you decide you want to talk about what’s really going on, come see me.”
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Chapter 21
“Okay.”
“For now, I expect you to participate fully in all your classes. No more refusing to answer questions or engage with the material.”
“Fine.”
“And if these performance issues continue, we may need to involve your parents in a conference.”
My blood ran cold. “That’s not necessary.”
“I hope not. But we need to see improvement.”
He closed my file and stood up. “You can return to class now.”
I stood quickly, eager to get out of there.
“And Avery?”
I paused at the door.
“We care about you. Don’t forget that.”
I nodded and left the office. In the hallway, I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.
They suspected everything but couldn’t prove anything. As long as I kept denying it, I was safe.
But the threat of calling my parents hung over me like a dark cloud.
I walked back toward my math class, but the hallway felt different now. Like everyone was watching me. Wondering what I’d done to get called to the principal’s office.
“Avery!”
I turned around. Ava was hurrying toward me, her face full of annoyance.
“What happened? Why were you called down there?”
“Nothing happened.”
“It had to be something. People don’t get called to the principal’s office for nothing Avie. Are you in trouble?” She asked almost rolling her eyes to the back of her head.
“It was just about my English grade.”
“Your English grade? But aren’t you supposed to be good at English?”
“I missed some assignments.”
She studied my face. “Are you sure that’s all?”
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Chapter 21
“I’m sure.”
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34
“Alright. But don’t do anything that’ll cause people to gossip about me or blame mum and dad. That’ll be selfish”
I had gotten used to the word already.
“Sure Ava. I won’t. I got a pass anyway. I’ll go home now…”
“Home? Should I call mum to pick you up?”
“No.” I nodded frantically. “I shouldn’t disturb her,”
And so I set home but the thought of the principal calling my parents weighed on my mind.
I can’t get exposed….just not yet.
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
