It didn’t matter that I’d blocked him after his first attempt to send me a chat box—he’d found his way back in.

It had only been a day since he’d wrecked me, and he was already trying to apologize. That meant something, but even if I wanted to forgive him, he’d never be able to forgive me once Tessa told him the truth. About the blog, my blog, harming her. Led her in the wrong direction.

I cringed, knowing I needed to find a way to talk to her. To make things right.

But I’d barely caught my breath since yesterday, and I had about ten minutes before my parents and I had to have a meeting with Principal Tanner.

Another shudder.

It shouldn’t matter that he would likely find a way to jack with my potential MIT acceptance. Tessa’s predicament was so much more important than that, but I couldn’t help the sinking, hollow feeling in my chest. Whatever Tanner had planned for me…

I deserved it.

“You ready?” Mom asked from my doorway, causing me to jump.

“Yeah,” I said, spinning in my chair. I left my gear in my room as I followed her out. I didn’t need it. Not for this meeting.

Dad drove, and with Mom in the passenger seat, I felt like I was ten years old again, not eighteen. Silent, my arms folded over my chest like that could hold me together—it could’ve been the time I’d got caught sneaking out after dark to meet Hannah for a midnight pool party. They were more upset that I’d gone behind their backs than with the act itself.

Kind of like today, except they supported me.

Something I was grateful for after this blog had cost me so much.

And yet, it had helped heal me, too. How was that possible?

Ms. Howard waved at me encouragingly from behind her desk as we passed her office, the look of confusion on her face indicating Tanner hadn’t told her about me yet. Once again, I wished she was Wilmont’s principal. Someone who put students’ well-being first. Someone who listened and understood and went the extra mile to ensure everyone was getting what they needed.

I waved back before following my parents inside Principal Tanner’s office as he held the door open for us. A smug, self-satisfied smile on his face as he closed the door behind him.

Mom, Dad, and I all took a seat in front of his massive desk, the silence in the room near deafening. Tanner took his time walking around his desk, unbuttoning his suit jacket, and finally plopping down on his plush leather office chair.