My heart dropped into my stomach, splashing acid up my throat. I swallowed the garbage down, nodding silently and gathering my things.

I glanced over my shoulder at Dean, who I somehow knew was watching.

You okay? he mouthed, and the fact that he was worried about me warmed the cold fear clutching my spine. That, and his sweet gesture this morning when he’d been waiting by my locker with an iced green tea.

I’d have to return the favor sometime. If I wasn’t about to be expelled for running an anonymous blog that contradicted everything Principal Tanner and the Wilmont Academy website stood for. Like telling students where to get birth control without their parents knowing or advising a boy on how to talk to his partner about having sex. There was also the one about role playing, the commenter worried about her partner thinking she was a freak for suggesting it. Or the one about sexual dreams with teacher appearances and other off-limits people. A month’s worth of blog posts… I pushed down the thoughts and flashed Dean a soft smile before turning out of the room.

Tanner figured out I’m Ask Me Anything.

The fear amplified with each step closer to his office.

No way. I’m too careful.

It had been a month since I’d started the blog, and with the traffic increasing each day, I’d triple-checked the codes in Tor.

The traffic and buzz over the blog kept growing, along with my dual sense of anxiety and accomplishment. More content than worry—I’d gotten to posting nearly every day now and I actually felt like I was helping people. Though, if I was being fair, I supposed I should give some credit to Mom…and even Dad in some cases. They both were hand-feeding me answers to random questions without even blinking an eye. I probably should’ve told them about the site, but I didn’t want anyone else to be held responsible if I was ever caught.

But that was super unlikely.

Why else would Tanner haul you in here midday?

Two more steps and I’d have my answer.

I halted in front of his secretary’s desk for a moment before stepping toward Tanner’s closed door.

“Ah, Ms. Henderson,” Mrs. Stone said. “He’s at a meeting with the board for the next few days.”

I furrowed my brow.

She pointed to the door on the opposite side of the room. “Vice Principal Howard is who called for you.”

“Oh.” I adjusted my position, the short-lived relief evaporating. VP Howard was by far more agreeable and enjoyable than Tanner, but I still didn’t have a clue why she’d want to speak with me.

“You can go on in,” Mrs. Stone said after I’d stood in front of the closed door a few breaths too long.