A couple of kids lingered in the admin offices, trying to find out why I was in the office. I ignored them, because I had bigger problems. Mr. Theo left during that time, and I really wanted him to stay through this, considering how he’d started it by telling the principal.

Cromwell showed up less than twenty minutes later. I’d stopped crying by then. I’d also stopped talking and started mentally berating myself.

He wore a business suit, his dark hair neatly in place and a tight smile on his face. He didn’t look at me. I had no idea what they’d told him. “Principal Hawkes, how have you been?”

They exchanged pleasantries while I squirmed in my seat. I was very close to hyperventilating when the principal finally closed the office door and laid it all out on the table in a clipped, purely professional way: the rabbit, the dolls, the toy car, and everything in-between. I stared at her desk while they talked. Near her computer was a tiny coin, much like the one I had in my pocket. It couldn’t be the same one, because I doubted Mr. Theo handed out lucky coins like candy.

I forgot about the coin the moment she stopped talking.

Only then did Cromwell look at me. I couldn’t help it; I shrank back in my seat. “How long has this been going on?”

I didn’t answer.

“Apparently since the first day she started,” Principal Hawkes answered. “Mayor Cromwell, I want to ensure you that PHS doesn’t tolerate this kind of behavior. Nor have we ever, in the history of my career, had anything like this.”

I felt his stare on me while he talked. “This is the first I’ve heard of this. I am… extremely disappointed that Ember didn’t confide in me. Principal Hawkes, what are you doing to ensure this will stop?”

“She states that no one has been bothering her, so that gives us very little to go on. Although, I am not entirely inclined to believe her since this is the first time any of this has been brought to our attention.”

I looked up then. That wasn’t true. I’d told Mr. Theo and he’d told her. She had to have figured out that he knew, but then the next thing she said sealed my fate. I was a goner. No doubt about it.

“I don’t mean this as any offense to you, Mayor Cromwell. As you know, I voted for you and you still have my vote,” she continued. “But I am inclined to believe that this issue started even before she stepped foot in this school.”

Cromwell stiffened beside me. “I’m not sure I’m following you.”