Page 17 of Unpredictable

Heartbreaking. Amazing. Full of turmoil.

All honest answers, but not the one I give.

“It was good, thank you for asking.”

“That’s lovely,” she tells me before smiling and holding up a file. “Here it is! Now, this summer when I was looking over something, I realized you’re further ahead of schedule than I thought. You’re taking mostly college courses this year, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Do you enjoy coming to Brighton Academy every day?” she asks with her head tilted.

“I don’t know ifenjoyis the right word, but it’s not bad. If I didn’t have to, I wouldn’t though.”

“You only have one required class left, did you know that?” she asks me with a raised brow.

I nod. “Finishing class,” I tell her with an eye roll.

“Yes, Mrs. Bonavich is a very popular teacher with the students and staff.” She winks before getting serious. “I ran an idea by Principal Harris, and now I want to run it by you.”

“Okay….”

“How would you feel about graduating early?”

“Is that even possible? I thought Finishing Class is a yearlong course.” I’m confused, but my heart still beats at the possibility. Could I really graduate early?

“It is, but if you would be willing to do your college sociology course on your own time, we could double up your Finishing class. Mrs. Bonavich teaches the normal class in the morning, and then after lunch you would go back and learn what she usually teaches in the second semester.”

My wild side says jump at the opportunity, but my more sensible side leads me to say, “I mean, I would love to, but I think I should talk to my parents.”

“Of course, I just need to know by the end of the week. I already have a couple other seniors who will be doing it for sure, so you won’t be in there alone with her,” she teases.

“Thank God for small favors.” I laugh as I stand.

Ms. Biel hands me a few papers. “These are permission forms if your parents agree. I will need those signed.” She hands me a hall pass after I slip them into my purse. “Best get to your next class.” She gifts me a soft smile.

“Have a great day, Ms. Biel,” I tell her over my shoulder.

“You too, Victoria.”

The rest of the day breezes by, but the whole time my mind is elsewhere.

Could I do it? Graduate early?

Finally, a light that I can cling to instead of the darkness I’ve felt since I walked out of Sterling’s life.

???

Chapter Five

Dinner at Noble is delicious as normal. Sage, Mom, Dad, and I are sitting at a round table towards the back, sharing three deserts in the middle of the table because we can never decide on only one.

I take a bite of the raspberry cheesecake before setting my spoon down. I slowly wipe the corner of my lips before speaking. “So, I found out something interesting today.”

“What’s that, dear?” Mom asks.

“Please tell me Mrs. Bonavich was fired,” Sage pleads.

“Sage,” Mom reprimands while Dad and I laugh.

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