Principal Stafford fidgeted in his seat, and Héctor dreaded what was about to come next. “We have a family environment here we’re very proud of,” he began.

“Oh, I’m aware,” said Mrs. Chin, and she took Juliana’s hand in hers. “This school has a wonderful reputation in the community.”

“It’s just that . . .” Principal Stafford fidgeted in his seat more, and there were now beads of sweat on his shiny bald spot. “Your daughter wanted to bring someone to the dance.”

“As I am sure she is allowed to do,” shot back Mrs. Chin. “The other students can bring their peers to the dance. Correct?”

“Well, yes, of course,” said Principal Stafford. “It’s just that your daughter wants to bring someone who . . . who might be . . . well, it’s the way that it might look, Mrs. Chin.”

“Do tell me how it might look, Mr. Stafford.” She let go of Juliana’s hand, leaned back, and crossed her arms over her chest. “Because it sounds like you’re singling out my daughter here.”

“No, no, of course we’re not,” he said, his hands up. “I think we—”

“Is she breaking the rules?”

“No, there’s no explicit rule about—”

“So you’ll be reinstating her as the DJ and letting her go to the dance with whomever she desires, correct?”

The principal’s mouth dropped open, and Héctor’s heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. No, he was very glad that he’d gotten to see this.

“It wasn’t fair that you took this away from me,” said Juliana, her voice soft at first. But then she looked up at Principal Stafford, and she didn’t hold back. Her words were certain and powerful. “You made me feel like I don’t belong here.”

The principal’s face twisted up. “That is not the aim of what we—”

Mrs. Chin stood up. “Come, baby. I think this is resolved, and I’m signing you out of school for the day. Maybe we’ll go see a movie. Get some ice cream. And Mr. Stafford won’t have a problem with any of that, will he?”

Principal Stafford stood, almost tripping over his own feet while trying to do so. Sal and Héctor did their best to hide their giggling, but when Principal Stafford shot them a glare, he knew they had failed.

“No, not at all,” the principal said, and he continued glaring at Héctor and Sal as he shook Mrs. Chin’s hand. “I’ll keep you updated about any future developments.”

“I hope you will,” she continued. “And please don’t waste my time like this again.”