Page 7 of A Drop of Anguish
The what-ifs.
Knowing that if she were here, she’d win his heart in a second.
So, I care about Jarron. And I believe he cares about me. But there’s no future for us.
Of course, I didn’t expect that to mean I’d never see him again, but, well, I refuse to be bitter about that. Cutting off our almost-relationship was my choice, and I don’t have a right to be mad about how he reacts to it.
“It’s had a rather negative impact on our school’s reputation,” Ms. Bhatt continues.
I don’t respond. This is the conversation I expected to begin with.
“The scandal with Mr. Vandozer was horrendous and terrible, and of course, I don’t blame you for that. But when we add in that our three most powerful students left the school, mid-semester—well, it looks bad.”
“You’ve stepped into a hard situation,” I say sweetly. “I feel for you.” I barely manage to hold back a grin. She didn’t say it outright, but she’s telling me she blames me for this. Maybe not Mr. Vandozer’s betrayal, but the rest of it.
“Indeed.”
“Well, is that all you wanted to talk to me about?”
She pulls in a long breath. Was that a sincere emotion? Yes, yes, I think it was.
Annoyance.
Well, it’s a start.
“Yes, I suppose that will do for now.”
“When will my new classes begin?”
She stands and wipes at her pristine black trousers. Then, she turns and strides to a large shelf and pulls a book from a pile. “You will find a list of available electives on pages 105-126. Choose wisely. Send word with your answer before dinnertime, and I will have your updated schedule to you by morning.” She hands me the book. “You can take the rest of the school day off to look over your options.”
After a pause, I take the book.I suppose that’s a fair deal.
“But you should still have lunch in the main hall. And pass through the arches. Every day. That is more important than ever.”
I swallow but nod.
“I believe in this school, Miss Montgomery. And I will not let anything tear it down.”
I hesitate before walking the rest of the way out of the room. I heard the implied end to that sentence, exactly as she intended.
I will not let anything tear it down, including you.
3
A Stellar Reputation
When I leave the meeting with Ms. Bhatt, I realize the lunch period is half finished by now.
I could just skip it and hide away in the courtyard. It’s fairly nice out today for the season. Even in winter here, we get the occasional not-deathly-cold days. Okay, it’ll freeze my butt in seconds. I sigh and recognize the truth—I’m just looking for an out. I should go chat with Janet and Lola anyway.
I’m tired of showing my fear in this school, where I’m the weakest being with the biggest target on my back. Certainly tired of letting fear dictate my actions.
I march toward the lunch hall, past the packed tables without looking anyone in the eye, and right up through the magical arches. Nothing happens, as usual.
The magical arches are meant to detect magical influence like potions and spells, for our protection of course. If someone slipped a student a love potion—for example—they'd be found out the moment they get their lunch. I don’t know what it looks like when magical influence is detected, and I hope I never find out.
I take my time looking over the food options. I usually just pick something obvious and simple so I don’t have to remain in the spotlight for too long up here.
