Page 16 of Wylder and the Secret Rockstar
And Ms. Jones definitely wouldn’t be proud of her for the thoughts she was having about her English teacher.
“Wylder, help me understand.” She sat on the corner of her desk. “You wish to drop two classes on the very first day of school? Without even giving them a chance?”
“I gave them a chance. They aren’t for me.”
Her lips pursed. “Let’s start with the first one. Honors English. You earned your place in that course with your hard work last year. After your past—”
“You mean flunking junior year at Twin Rivers High?”
Her eyes softened. “Considering that, you’ve done well here, and Defiance Academy is not known for academic leniency.”
“Unless you’re an athlete,” she mumbled.
“What was that?” The raised brow told Wylder she’d heard every word.
“I just don’t think English is my thing, so an honors class definitely isn’t for me.”
She set Wylder’s schedule down and crossed her arms. “What aren’t you telling me?”
That Wylder had a torrid summer affair with her English teacher and now couldn’t look him in the eye. Something told her that wasn’t what Ms. Jones wanted to hear.
“I just can’t do it, okay?”
Ms. Jones sighed. “One day, young lady, you’re going to have to repay our faith in you by having faith in yourself.”
Few people had faith in Wylder before she came here. Her dad and step-mom weren’t quite sure what to do about her sub-par academic performances. Only Beckett pushed her, forcing her to come to the academy instead of dropping out when Twin Rivers gave up on her for good.
She wasn’t quite sure what to do with this woman’s faith. So, in typical Wylder fashion, she acted like nothing mattered to her. “It’s just a class, probably one I won’t remember once I’m finally out of this place.”
“And music? Wylder, you love music.”
“How do you… the videos. You’ve seen the videos.” Wylder didn’t exactly broadcast her musical history, but after Beckett forced her to sing on stage with him over a year ago, the YouTube videos of their old bandAnonymouswent viral. Before then, she was pretty sure all the views were from her dad.
“I think the entire world has seen them. Dear, you’re talented. When your brother called our office to make sure you got into this class—a class with a waiting list, mind you—I knew it was the perfect fit.”
It would have been once upon a time. Before Beckett left, before their band ended and she was kicked out of school.
Before her mom died.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Jones, but I’m not that person anymore. I don’t…” She sucked in a breath. “I don’t play drums. I don’t sing. Music just doesn’t speak to me.”
Lies. All lies. The truth was it tried to speak to her. She refused to speak back.
“Well, that is a shame. You were a very talented drummer, Wylder. I truly believe you have every bit as much talent as your brother, but if that is not what you want, not even he can force it on you.”
No one had ever told her she could compare to Beckett. She was always his little sister, the less talented Anderson.
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Oh, honey, I believe those words, but they weren’t mine. It’s what Beckett said to get you into that class. When you came to this school, Wylder, you were angry. Your teachers and I did not know why or exactly how to reach you. But we’ve seen you make friends and excel in certain studies. You might not be the girl who rocked out on stage withAnonymous, but I don’t think you’re the girl who decided to give up her music anymore either.”
Wylder couldn’t speak for a long moment as she turned the principal’s words over in her mind. “Beckett really said that?”
Ms. Jones smiled. “He did.”
It didn’t change anything, not really. Clearing her throat, she lifted her chin. “I still need to drop both classes.”
A knock sounded on the door before Ms. Jones could respond. She stood to open it. “Mr. Cook. Good. Your teacher sent me a message that you asked to drop the music class as well. This is a surprise. We usually have kids begging to get in.”
