Except, of course, I don’t get lucky. Dr. Howard’s office is actually running early today. So when Mom drops me off at school, fourth period has only just started.

At least Fina will be there. She’ll hide in the library with me at lunch, and then there are just two more classes to get through. Still, it takes me a minute of standing by the school doors before I finally muster the courage to go in. And when I do, it’s only because I can feel Mom staring at me.

I know she’s really excited about her meeting with Edie’s dad. She is looking even more perfect than usual in her best suit. But I can’t manage to wish her good luck. I don’t want her to get the account. I don’t want her hanging out at Edie’s house.

At the office, I pick up my late-arrival pass before going to English class. I’m tempted to drag my feet, but then I’ll just run into someone in the hall. When I reach Ms. Singh’s room, I stop outside to take a deep breath.

And I hear my name from the other side of the door, which is open a crack.

I hold my breath, listening.

“. . . happening to Emma is something that happens to many people, including to some I know personally.”

It’s Ms. Singh. She sounds angry.

“Vitiligo is not contagious. It is not dangerous to you. If anyone had taken the time to research it—and I mean by looking at credible sources—you would know that. The only person this condition affects is Emma. Our job is to help make her feel supported, not ostracized. And no, Austin, it’s not ostrich-sized. It means when you make someone feel different and unwelcome. And the next person I see ostracizing Emma will be doing detention with me until winter break. Am I clear?”

There are murmurings of agreement.

My heart is pounding. There’s no way I can just waltz into Ms. Singh’s class now, so I spin around and begin speed-walking away.

I had wondered if Ms. Singh had noticed my spots when she cut my bangs. If she knows other people with vitiligo, maybe she realized I had it that day. But how does she know what Edie said about me? Has she seen the text? Or that stupid website?

I can’t go back to locking myself in the bathroom again, so I go to the library and tell Mr. Yardley that Ms. Singh’s class is in the middle of taking a quiz and I’m supposed to wait here until lunch. It’s the first time I’ve ever lied about something like that to a teacher.

My stomach cramps when the bell rings and kids flood the hall. I glance up and spot Fina walking by. She sees me and heads straight for the library door.