When we reach the office, Cade opens the door for me. Miss Wather takes us in from head to toe and smiles. “I’ll let Principal McNeil and Mr. Bartley know you’re here, dears. Have a seat.” She motions to the chairs outside Principal McNeil’s office. Cade takes the middle. I sit on his left and clutch our presentation in both hands.

Ten minutes pass, and every person who has come into the office has noticed our coordinated outfits. Or maybe they’ve wondered if we’re in some kind of trouble. Or maybe I’m reading too much into their smirks, raised eyebrows, and curious glances? I don’t think so.

Why is Principal McNeil making us wait?

The anticipation is killing me. Cade and I spent every spare minute of the weekend preparing and practicing our presentation. I can’t think of anything more we could have done.

I rub my palms on my pants, then tuck my hands under my thighs. Cade bounces his knee. I slide my foot next to his, getting his attention. Our eyes meet. We have a conversation without saying a word. We will not back down, he says. I tap my fingertips against our presentation and nod. We got this!

Finally, Mr. Bartley opens the door, ushering us in.

“Have a seat,” Principal McNeil says from the chair behind his desk. He sounds pleasant enough, but his body language is dismissive, putting me even more on edge. A copy of the assignment covers most of his tabletop calendar. The blood-red “TOP-SECRET” pops among the stark white papers and dreary textbooks.

Mr. Bartley takes a few long strides and stands next to Principal McNeil like a sentry guarding a king. I read their body language like a book. Spoiler alert. Cade and I, the protagonists, are about to be hit with a metaphorical freight train.

“So,” Principal McNeil says, bracing his elbows on his desk and lacing his fingers together. “I’ve thoroughly reviewed this lesson and the assignment and support Mr. Bartley one hundred percent. Studying the Final Solution and understanding the Nazis’ actions and motivations are important parts of fighting racism, antisemitism, and hate. And I see nothing wrong with historical reenactments. In fact, I believe they’re great teaching tools. Mr. Bartley has made it very clear that this activity is to help you and your classmates understand the mindset of the Nazis and what led to the most destructive acts of antisemitism in modern history.”

He taps his copy of the assignment. “Furthermore, Mr. Bartley told me that he expressed his strong opposition to the Final Solution and agreed with you that all genocide is immoral. Is this statement correct?”

I glance at Cade. Reluctantly, we both nod.

Principal McNeil smiles. “Excellent. We have no doubt you’ll do a fine job presenting the Nazi points of view, and then write outstanding papers expressing how you strongly oppose their actions.”