“No! No, Lori, I didn’t.”

“You didn’t?”

“No. Fall off the old bike, dust yourself off, and get back up. Or in my case, go to the hospital, have five blood transfusions, three hundred and fifty-six stitches, and a kidney removed. Booya!” This time he did say that.

“Oh.” I was floored. This guy was a total nutcase.

“So!” He banged his hand on the desk again. “Lori. You’re probably wondering why you’re here?”

“I am.”

“Well, as school counselor, I always like to check in with our lucky new pupils who’ve joined the BWH family. Just to make sure they’re happy. BWH is a special place and I want everyone to have the best experience possible. So are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Having the best experience possible?”

“Sure. I guess.”

“Good! And is there anything troubling you?”

“No.”

“Excellent. Anything confusing about your schedule, or classes?”

I shook my head.

“Great!”

“Making friends?” he asked.

“Uh . . .” I hesitated. I thought about Jake and me. Were we friends? I guess we were. I tried to stop myself from smiling and nodded. “Yes, making friends.”

“Fan-tas-tic! Have you thought about joining any after-school clubs? Netball maybe?” he asked.

“Netball?” I scoffed.

“You have a great pair of hands on you. I saw you catch the ball at the water polo game.”

I couldn’t help it, but I chuckled. “That was a total accident, I assure you.”

He sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “There are no accidents, Lori. Only meant-to-be’s.”

“Meant-to-be’s,” I repeated. “Right.”

And then he stood up and clapped his hands together enthusiastically. “Looks like you are fitting in perfectly, Lori! Really embracing the BWH spirit.”

I gave a halfhearted nod. I wanted to say “I wouldn’t go that far,” but didn’t.

“Great to meet you, Lori, and if you ever need anything . . . please, you know where I am.”

Was this it? My big counseling session? It must have been, because suddenly he was holding his office door open for me.

“Sure. I know where you are.”