There’s something about Principal McNeil’s email that’s unsettling. I shove aside the pile of clean laundry I dumped on my bed, flop down on my stomach, and reread it slowly, trying to decipher the message behind the message. He didn’t say Mr. Bartley would retract the assignment. But he did say we would “discuss this further.” My gut tells me Principal McNeil isn’t siding with us. Just because they’re in a position of authority shouldn’t mean we have to accept this flawed assignment, right? Yeah, right.

Frustrated, I pick up my phone to text Cade, then chastise myself for forgetting how much he hates texting on his flip phone.

I dial his number.

When he finally answers, he sounds breathless.

“What are you doing?”

“I just hauled a couple bags of salt from the shed. Can’t have ice on the sidewalks or parking lot. What’s up?”

“So I’m guessing you haven’t seen the email?”

“What email?”

I go to my desk and read Principal McNeil’s message to Cade. “Something about it bothers me.”

“It doesn’t say much of anything.”

“That’s the problem.”

“I’m not following you.”

I get up and walk into the hall. “It’s more of a gut feeling. I’d say we have a slim to no chance this is going to go our way. We need to be ready.” I trail my fingers along the wall, stop, and straighten a photo collage I made Dad for Father’s Day.

“What do you think we should do?” Cade asks.

“I’m not sure. I need to think about it.”

I wander into the living room and look out the front window. Across the street, Kyle and Myles are building a snow fort. Police officer Shawn Sullivan and his wife, Wendy, recently told me that I’m their eight-year-old twins’ favorite babysitter. Myles starts a snowball fight, and I’m tempted to go outside and join them.

Cade brings me back to reality. “I said I’d take an F. But what about you? You have a lot to lose.”

An F will definitely impact my GPA. For sure, Mason would become valedictorian. I could live with it. But what about Georgetown? Could there be ramifications? Ironically, it was Mr. Bartley’s glowing letter of recommendation that helped get me into their Early Action program. I swallow the lump that forms in my throat and say, “We’re in this together. If there’s no alternative, I’ll also take an F.”

Alternative. It sparks an idea. “I’ve got it! We need to present an alternative assignment, not just for the two of us, but for everyone. We need to walk into Principal McNeil’s office Monday morning with a detailed outline, expressing our arguments and offering a better assignment that fulfills Mr. Bartley’s requirements.”