“I can,” Tanner fired back. “You’re free to pull her and try to complete her year elsewhere, but no one will approve her when they receive my letters explaining her…” He cut his eyes to me. “Character.”

“You son of a—”

“Mom,” I said before she could continue. “It’s fine.” I nodded at Tanner. “I’ll do the assembly, or whatever it is he wants.” I shifted in my seat, rising to stand. My parents following suit as they headed toward the door, this meeting clearly at its end. They waited for me in the entryway, but I stood before Tanner’s desk.

“Know this,” I said, glaring down at him. “I see you. I’ve seen you. And while I’m prepared to stand up and admit what I’ve done, you sit behind your desk and pretend to care.” I sighed. “I’ve been your student for over a decade. And I’m willing to brave the public backlash if it means I don’t have to spend another year with you. Think about that. Let it sink in.”

He rose from his chair, too, and I had to crane my neck to keep our gazes locked.

Nothing.

Not a word I said hit home.

Would it ever? Would there ever be a day when he didn’t value his precious lineage, awards, and grants and rankings over the students who earned it for him?

“Be here tomorrow at nine a.m.” He re-buttoned his suit jacket. “I’ll call a mandatory school assembly with parents in attendance,” he said. “And we’ll make sure it’s live on the school’s site as well, for those who can’t make it, and for our sister schools that you’ve harmed.”

I rolled my eyes. “Your definition of harmed and mine are drastically different.” Yes, guilt bit my insides over what had happened to Tessa, but I never set out to hurt anyone. And through return commenters and emails, I knew I had helped some people. “There are sites that would make you piss your pants,” I whisper-hissed. “Sites run by kids with lists and agendas and hate in their hearts.” Tears pricked my eyes I was so mad. “And you’re upset about this? A little information on something as natural as sex?” I shook my head.

“We’re done here,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Right.” I turned my back on him.

Mom wrapped an arm around me as we left the building. “You don’t have to do this,” she said as we got in the car.

“We can find a way to get you to graduate. And I can speak with someone in admissions at MIT,” Dad said, pulling out of the school parking lot.