Page 135 of Rags to Royals

I turn, the bag on my shoulder swinging and bumping my hip. I’d sent Henry to secondhand stores in Columbus to find something well-used so it wouldn't be obvious I was carrying a brand-new book bag like a kindergartner on the first day of school. The weathered leather messenger bag is perfect. A college professor would definitely carry something like this, and I intend to keep using it.

“Hey, Amanda.”

“Dean,” she says with a smile.

The name also reminds me that we’re lying to all these people, and I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen when it all comes out.

Because it has to.

Unless Scarlett lets me take her away from here.

“What’s up?”

“I wanted to check in. How are things going?”

“Just fine.” It’s true. I could teach this section of history to teenagers even without Bill’s lesson plans.

“I’m so glad to hear that. You’ve really come through to help us out in this pinch.”

“No problem. I’ve enjoyed it.”

I start walking toward the door again. I am hoping to catch Mariah on her walk home and offer her a ride. I have four new casserole recipes on my phone. My buddy Spencer is somewhat of a casserole aficionado and does all of the cooking for him and his fiancé. He was happy to send me some of his favorites. Tonight, I’m making a chicken fajita casserole. I’m hoping Mariah might want to help, or at least keep me company in the kitchen.

“You’ll let me know if there are any issues in class?” Amanda asks.

I turn back. “What kind of issues?”

“I’ve just been touching base with all of the teachers who have Leah Lawton and Mariah Gale in their classes together. There’s been a lot of tension between the girls this week. More than usual, it seems.”

Yes, that has not escaped my attention. “I haven’t noticed any issues in class,” I say carefully. I’ve been watching. Mariah and Leah seem to ignore each other while they’re in class. Their first argument this week had occurred in study hall and the second at lunch. I haven’t heard about anything today. Maybe everything’s blown over.

Then again, maybe the podcast didn’t post anything today. At least not about me. I’m sure they did post. But they have to run out of gossip about me. No one knows I’m in Ohio with Scarlett.

I feel my chest tighten. That’s actually not true. Everyone in Autre knows. It kills me to think that someone there is feeding the podcast family secrets. Then again, none of this should be a secret.

I’m in love and I want the world to know.

“Good to hear. Please keep an eye on them and let me know.”

“What exactly is the problem?” I ask, wondering about Amanda’s interpretation of the issue between Leah and Mariah. How does the town see the rift between Hannah and Scarlett for that matter?

“Leah Lawton is a bit of a bully,” Amanda says honestly. “And there’s tension that goes back to the girls’ mothers. Mariah handles herself for the most part. But I’ve had to sit down with them before. Leah is not contrite, however.”

“What is your policy on bullying?” I ask. I assume, and hope, that there is zero tolerance.

“I’ve made it very clear to Leah that school is not the time for her to talk about church. However, she is defiant. She claims that she is supposed to talk about church whenever she has a chance to teach someone and if that results in negative consequences for her, she is willing to take them.”

I widen my eyes. “That’s conviction.”

Amanda nods and sighs. “It can make things difficult. But we stay firm and consistent. Leah has served a number of detentions. She has also had to miss school activities. Unfortunately, that has made her something of a martyr with her peers and the church.”

Damn. This is a little bigger than I expected.

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll definitely keep my eye on it.” My hand is on the door when I turn back again. “How does Mariah handle it?”

“She tries to stay quiet and ignore it. When it does get to the point she can’t, she will speak out. She’s also served detentions and such. Again, we have to be fair about our school policies.”

I arch a brow. “What policies keep a kid from standing up for themselves?”

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