Page 53 of Wylder and the Almost Rockstar
“Uh, yeah. Thanks.” Wylder blushed. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard.
“Logan?” Ms. Jones asked again.
“Not good.” Wylder sighed. “That’s why I’m here.” She moved to sit in front of the headmistress’s desk. “He’s putting up a brave front, but I think he could use a break.”
“I’ve offered to have him move into his brother’s townhouse, so he can have some privacy.”
“He won’t do it.” Wylder shook her head. “He has friends in the dorms, so he’ll be okay there.”
“What kind of break do you suggest then?”
“Dinner,” Wylder blurted.
“Like a… Miss Anderson, are you asking permission to take Logan off campus for a date?” She glanced at Wylder’s nice clothes.
“What? No!” Wylder flushed red. “A family dinner. At my house. He lost his parents when he was twelve, so I thought a sort of normal night off and away from campus might help with the stress of his situation.”
“So you want me to give you both permission to leave campus?” Ms. Jones stood with her hands on her hips.
“Um, yes. Tonight, if possible?” Wylder twisted her hands in her lap. “You know my dad is a great dad. He’s a lot like Becks… in the good ways. My dad and stepmom are used to helping Becks and his friends with their problems, and I’m sure they’d do the same for Logan. You know, parental advice and all—not that Seb—er, Mr. Cook isn’t a great guardian.”
Ms. Jones moved to the front of her desk to lean against it and gave Wylder an incredulous look. “What I don’t get is why you’re asking for permission when you’ve never bothered before? You sneak off this campus whenever you like, and you take your friends with you. What’s changed? I’m confused.”
“Um… I guess I’m trying something different.”
“Different?”
“Yeah. Trying to do better. Er… Make better decisions.”
Ms. Jones tried to hide her smile behind a delicate cough, but Wylder caught her smirk.
“I like these changes in you, Wylder.” She nodded, reaching back on her desk for her pad of blank gate passes. “I like your new hair and your new look. And I also happen to think your idea for Logan and a family dinner is a great one.” She scribbled notes on the pad and signed her name. “Be back before curfew.”
Wylder stood, not quite believing the headmistress went for it. “I will… we will, thank you.”
“I’m calling your parents in one hour to arrange transportation and get their permission for this evening.”
“I’ll let them know to expect your call.”
“You will also need to get Mr. Cook’s signature on that gate pass so you’d better hurry, first period is almost over.”
“Yes ma’am. Thank you.” Wylder grabbed her messenger bag from the floor and stuffed the gate pass into her pocket.
“And Wylder… you’re a good friend. I hope Logan realizes that.”
Wylder smiled, thinking of his kiss—both of them. “He knows. Thanks, Ms. Jones.” Wylder darted back into the hall, fishing her phone out of her pocket to call her dad.
“Anderson Hardware,” her stepmom answered on the second ring.
“Hey, Mom, get Dad on the phone too.” Wylder charged through the double doors, stepping out into the bright sunshine of the crisp morning.
“Oh dear, what’s happened now?” Her mom sounded worried.
“Nothing, I just have a favor.”
“She has a favor,” her mom repeated as her dad joined them on the line.
“What’s wrong, hon?” her dad mimicked the worried tone.
