“Be prepared,” Mrs. Cup said. “We’ll be going to the mural site tomorrow. Be sure to bring your things with you, so you don’t have to come back to the building. You can leave straight from the mural at 3:30.”

Weston sat in his stool at my desk.

“Is she still going to fail you?” I whispered.

He shook his head and tried not to smile.

Two girls stood in Mrs. Cup’s open doorway. “Mrs. Cup, Mr. Bringham needs to see Erin Easter.”

“All right,” Mrs. Cup said, gesturing for me to gather my things.

“He said he needed for her to come right away,” one of the girls added.

I gathered my things, and Weston touched my arm. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“I’ll be okay.”

He frowned. “I want to come with you.”

I grinned. “You worry too much. You don’t have to protect me, Weston.”

“Says who?” he said, only half joking. “I’ll wait for you in the front.”

I shook my head. “You’ll be late for practice. Go ahead.”

He watched me as I stuffed a few things in my backpack. I followed the girls down the hall. We passed the set of lockers that stood alone in the middle of the commons area and then turned left toward the office. Just a few weeks before, I’d gone down this way, soaking wet. Now life seemed completely different, and it felt like it was about to change more.

I walked into the office, where Kay Rains stood, along with a police officer, Principal Bringham, and the counselor, Mrs. Rodgers. A few students and teachers idled about or sat in a row of chairs beside the door, waiting for something. Maybe for me, and whatever was about to happen.

“Why don’t we step into my office?” Principal Bringham said. “I think that would be best.”

Our small group followed him, and Kay asked me to sit with her in one of the two chairs in front of the principal’s desk. Mr. Bringham sat down and clasped his hands in front of him.

“Erin, I understand you’ve taken a blood test. Do you understand why?”

I nodded.

“I don’t want you to be nervous. I know there are a lot of people in here, but it’s just a formality. Ms. Rains has the test results, and she’s come here to explain them to you.”

“With a police officer?” I asked.

Kay chuckled. “I know. It’s awful. But we felt it was best since we’re on school grounds and the potential for emotions to run high . . . it seems like a bit much to me as well. But because you’re eighteen, and Ms. Easter requested we inform you at school should the results come back a certain way, we’ve come here.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but can we get to the point? I’m going to be late for work.”

Kay blinked. “Of course, I’m sorry.” She shifted in her seat. “Erin, according to the test results on all three of you girls, we’ve come to the conclusion that there was a mistake at the hospital the day you were born. It appears that the late Miss Alderman was given to the Aldermans, and you were given to Ms. Easter . . . by mistake.”