If I open my mouth now, I’ll explode and I need to save it for Principal McNeil. I round the counter and storm to his office. Cade shoots Miss Wather an apologetic smile, but thankfully, stays at my side because there’s no way I could do this alone. I lift my hand to knock on Principal McNeil’s door, but Cade beats me to it.

“Come in,” Principal McNeil says.

Neat piles of papers and files sit on his large wooden desk along with a computer, several textbooks, and a papier-mâché can filled with pens and pencils. A shade covers the only window in the room, blocking out nearly all of the late-afternoon sun. On one wall, he has photos of every graduating class from the past twenty-some years.

I push aside one of the two chairs Principal McNeil has in front of his desk and stand before him. Cade rests his hands on the other seat back. I motion to him with my thumb and announce, “We have a problem.”

Principal McNeil grabs two water bottles from his mini-fridge and hands us each one. His gaze bounces between Cade and me. He points to Cade. “Why don’t you start.”

Cade’s first few sentences have more uhhs and umms than words, but then his nerves settle and he does an amazing job presenting our position. “We told Mr. Bartley we won’t do the assignment,” Cade says, winding down. “We’d like you to have him change it.”

Principal McNeil picks up a pen. “Are you saying Mr. Bartley asked you to sympathize with the Nazis?”

Cade hesitates, then shakes his head. “Not exactly. He did say their actions were abhorrent.”

I jump in. “But plenty of people in this world are antisemitic. This feeds right into it. Several students did the Nazi salute and said, ‘Heil Hitler.’ ”

Principal McNeil’s brow furrows and his wrinkles are so deep they look like someone carved them into his skin. “I completely agree with your position on genocide,” he says. “Thank you both for bringing this to my attention. I will speak with Mr. Bartley. Since we are now into the weekend, let’s discuss this further on Monday.” He steeples his fingers. Neither Cade nor I move. “All right?”

I guess it has to be. Cade and I nod.

“Good. Will I see the two of you at the dance?”

Cade’s eyes flicker to me. “Uh…we’re not—”

“Going,” I finish. “We have other plans.”

Principal McNeil smiles. “Well then, enjoy your evening.”

* * *

Principal McNeil Friday, 4:52 p.m.

To: [email protected], [email protected]

Re: Assignment

Thank you for coming to speak with me regarding your concerns about your History of World Governments assignment. Mr. Bartley and I would like to meet with you on Monday before school at 7:00 a.m. to discuss this further. If you are unable to make it, please let me know immediately.

Principal McNeil

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