Page 154 of Can't Text This

“Miss Andrews!” she calls after me, obviously upset.

“Principal Gladden! I need to speak with youimmediately.”

I hear her footsteps race after me. “Sir, I am so sorry. She ran right past me.”

The balding man sitting behind the desk raises a hand. “It’s fine, Mary Ann. I’ll take it from here.”

I can feel her glare as I stand ramrod straight, not breaking eye contact with the principal.

The door clicks closed behind me and Gladden smiles my way.

I give him a tentative smile in return, my nerves beginning to eat at me.

Raymond Gladden is one of the biggest reasons I took this job. He’s welcoming, inviting, and kind while also a no-nonsense type of guy.

I liked him at once.

“Miss Andrews, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Sir, I…I, um…I-I…”

His lips twist into a grin. “Yes?”

“I-I’m sorry, sir. I’m nervous.”

“Yes, I can tell, Miss Andrews.” He leans across his desk, folding his hands together. “What’s going on, Montana?”

“Sir, I…I’ve been seeing a student’s father since summer. W-We were not aware of our…predicament until the second parent-teacher meeting. We hadnoidea—I swear, sir.”

He nods, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “I see. And after you found out? Then what?”

“We…uh…” I wince. “We continued to date, sir, but I swear, I did not treat Xavier any different. I—”

“Xavier?” he questions. “Xavier Levy, correct?”

“Yes.”

“He’s a good student.”

“He is, sir, very bright and kind.”

“Yes, I agree.” He nods again. “Please continue.”

“I… Well, I read the handbook and couldn’t find anything about this…unique situation. However, I wanted to be very transparent about my…uh, relationship with Mr. Cross.”

Gladden begins to laugh.

I stand here, dumbfounded, because I have no idea what’s going on. I can feel Brandon staring holes in the back of my head and I’m surprised he hasn’t spoken up yet, but I can’t turn around and look at him. I won’t give him the satisfaction; I’m already embarrassed enough as it is.

“Uh, sir?” I say when he still hasn’t calmed down.

The principal shakes his head. “I am sorry for the outburst, I just find this whole situation to be funny.”

“Why is that?”

“Montana, there are no formal rules against dating the parent of a student. It’s not even in our ethics handbook because this issue is complicated and unique to each situation. Would I prefer it not happen? Well, yes, as the pitfalls should the relationship turn sour are something we’d like to avoid. But, we understand there are sometimes things that are beyond our control, such as you two beginning to datebeforeXavier was your student. You’re allowed to have a life outside of school.”

The weight that’s been sitting on my shoulders for weeks begins to lift.

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