“Dr. and Mrs. Henderson,” he said, pressing his index fingers together and bringing them to a point under his chin. “We spoke briefly yesterday regarding why all of you are here today.” He glanced at my parents, his eyes darting back and forth between the two like he was waiting for something—an apology or an outburst over my actions. Something.

They were silent.

I almost laughed.

The cold churning in my stomach killed that urge.

“Right,” he continued. “Amber,” he said, looking directly at me. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

I parted my lips but then closed them.

Tanner sighed. “I thought not,” he said, dismissing me and returning focus to my parents. “Your daughter has cost this school gravely.” He shook his head. “The content she hand-fed to my students, and countless other schools, is deplorable. It is no example for a Wilmont graduate or an MIT hopeful.”

“You can’t possibly plan to not let her graduate,” Mom said. “There are barely two months left in the school year. And she deserves to go to MIT as well. You know that.”

Tanner laid his hands flat on his desk. “This behavior cannot go unchecked,” he said, glancing at me. “Regardless if she’s only my student for two more months.”

“Not graduating or putting a barrier between her and the acceptance letter that I’m sure is on its way soon,” Dad said, “seems a little harsh considering the circumstances.”

Tanner’s eyes cut to Dad’s, the glare sharp as a razor. “The circumstances?” He tilted his head and pointed at me. “Your daughter created a website that condones teenage sexual activity. Not to mention recounted stories of rape attempts, sex changes, and even more subjects not worth repeating. It was practically a promotion for it with handbooks on sexual acts provided.”

“What?” I snapped, finally finding my voice.

Mom rested her hand on my knee, a warning look in her eyes. I sat back, my lips sealed.

“That is hardly true,” Mom said, her tone soft, respectful. “We have read each of the blog posts several times. There was never an instance where she promoted sex. She merely offered advice for those students who had already participated in such acts.”

Tanner’s jaw clenched, and he motioned to his computer. “I’ve gotten over a hundred emails from outraged parents. Some of whom have direct connections to the district’s board. All of them read the blog very differently.”

“The students came to her,” Dad said, “with questions and concerns they weren’t finding answers for anywhere else.”

“What are you implying, Dr. Henderson?” Tanner asked. “That I’m denying my students knowledge?” he said before Dad could answer.