I don’t know if I should scream at them or just hold it all in. On the one hand, screaming at them will only undermine my authority as director. On the other hand, they’re gossiping when we’re supposed to be rehearsing. That’s something I can call them both out on.

I take a step forward.

“Simone! I’ve been looking for you.”

At the sound of Mr. Palumbo’s voice, I freeze. If I yell at Eric and Claire in front of him, he’ll probably regret making me director. But if he hears what they’re talking about, I’ll be embarrassed for the rest of the school year. I don’t feel like talking to Palumbo about my notes anymore, but it’s the best choice. With a sigh, I turn to face him.

“Hey, Mr. Palumbo,” I say. “What’s up?”

“We just need to have a little chat,” he says, gesturing for me to walk away from the group. “I don’t want you to get upset. You’ve been doing a fantastic job.”

Oh no. This definitely sounds like he’s going to say something upsetting.

“Thanks,” I say, biting my lip. “Did something happen?”

“I think your notes are excellent,” he says. “You really have a gift for finding weak spots in each performance without being too harsh. But…”

Dread rests low in my stomach.

“But?”

“Some students feel you play favorites,” he says, apology written in his forehead lines. “Don’t get me wrong—it’s totally understandable. We all have favorites. But, in the future, maybe you can try to—”

“Favorites?” I repeat. “I’m—Mr. Palumbo, I don’t have any favorites. I treat everyone the same. You’ve seen me.”

“Well,” he says, cocking his head to the side, “I just saw you give some notes to Eric. They were perfectly valid, but I’m sure it was hard for him to hear them in front of other students. You should pay more attention to how you deliver your notes. Try not to single anyone out too often.”

Eric is not this delicate. He probably has been complaining to Mr. Palumbo to make me look bad.

“I don’t single Eric out too often,” I say. “He’s just mad I say anything to him at all, so now he’s acting like an asshole.”

“Simone.”

I glance up. Big mistake. Mr. Palumbo is frowning at me in a way that makes his entire face droop toward the ground. I’ve never seen him look this disappointed before, not in anyone. If I thought Eric made me look bad, I was wrong. I made myself look bad.

“I’m sorry,” I say. I’m not sorry that Eric is a prick. I’m sorry that I disappointed Mr. Palumbo. “I didn’t mean that.”

Mr. Palumbo rubs the middle of his forehead. Heaves a big sigh. It’s like I’ve aged him ten years.