“Bren Monroe is in my office.”
Nikki Bagirianni, the school counselor, spoke more to herself than me as she looked up at Principal Neeon holding my arm. She put down the phone she’d just picked up at her secretary’s desk, her office door open behind her.
“She skipped the second half of classes yesterday.” Principal Neeon let go of my arm.
Why he had to hold it, I didn’t know, but I shot him a look like he’d hurt me. I even rubbed where he’d held me.
“I told you I was sick yesterday.”
Neeon leaned forward, his arms crossed over his chest. “Then have your brother send a note next time.” He nodded to the counselor. “She’s all yours for now.”
For now. Meaning there was more to come.
Exciting.
Ms. Bagirianni —or Nikki as she usually had people call her—was known as The Badger by most of
