Page 38 of Resisting the Fall

Instantly, as if in rhythm to the melody, a collection of memories with Maven flowed through my mind—fishing at the river, movie nights, playful interactions, countless pranks, and summer afternoons spent swimming together at Leeland’s Pond.

My heart sped up when I remembered the last time we’d been at the pond together. The time Maven had all but confirmed she had a crush on me. Did she still? Did I want her to? Was that why I’d been so irritated when Levi pursued her? Why I’d never felt so livid in my entire life as I did when I’d heard he had brought her to The Ridge? Then left her there?

At just the thought of it, my hands fisted at my side, confirming the truth.

I had a thing for Maven Price!

“Miss Price?” The unexpected voice of Principal Stevenson pulled me from my thoughts. The sound was distant and seemed to come from the auditorium. “What are you doing here?”

I stepped further behind the curtain, deciding what to do. No one knew I was here. Maybe it would be best to leave. I didn’t need Maven thinking I was some sort of stalker, watching her without her knowing.

“I was just practicing my violin.” The slight waver in her voice kept me from leaving.

“Did you get permission to be here?”

“No.”

“Miss Price, if you don’t have permission to be here, it’s trespassing.”

“I’m so sorry, I⁠—”

“Unfortunately, I’m worried we’re past ‘sorry’ at this point. You triggered the alarm, and being that it’s after school hours, the deputies will have received the notification.”

Deputies? That wasn’t good.

“I…” Maven’s voice trailed off. “I’m sorry,” she said again, this time in a defeated whisper.

Without permission, my feet started forward. I stepped out from behind the curtain and into the light. “I was the one who let her in.”

Maven’s gaze flew toward me, her shocked eyes locking with mine.

“Bennett?” Principal Stevenson stood near the stage. “What made you think you could break into the school?”

I glanced toward Maven. “Isn’t it obvious, sir?”

Maven’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly before she started shaking her head in rapid succession. “Ben did not let⁠—”

“I did.” The look I sent her threatened a bed full of bullfrogs on her horizon if she didn’t go along with this. I was already in too deep. In more ways than one.

A loud bang sounded behind us, and we both turned to find Deputy Roy coming onto the stage with his hand near his holster. Why couldn’t it have been Deputy Monroe that had received the alarm?

He paused when he saw us, then straightened, dropping his hands to his side. “What are you two doing?” He approached, an unsettling twinkle in his blue eyes. “Trespassing is a criminal offense. A fact I know you are both aware of.”

Maven and I shared a glance. We had evaded Deputy Roy a handful of times throughout the years, but a few months back, he had caught a group of us while we were toilet papering. Thankfully, the owner of the house had seemed more upset that he’d knocked on the door in the middle of the night than at the fine job we’d done covering his trees. When Maven assured the man we’d gladly return and pick it up in the morning, he was pacified. Deputy Roy was not.

“Perhaps I should bring you both to the station and⁠—”

“Deputy Roy,” Principal Stevenson said, coming up the stairs on the side of the stage. “Thank you for coming. And so quickly. But I’m afraid this is all just a misunderstanding.”

“I’m not sure it is.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “There was a rock wedged in the doorframe to keep the door open. Clearly, it was a pre-meditated entry.”

Principal Stevenson gave a slow nod. “Yes. Well, considering that no harm was done and we are on school grounds, I think it’s best if I handle the discipline.”

Deputy Roy tucked his thumbs through his belt loops and leaned back, his analyzing gaze shifting from Maven to me. “I guess, if that’s what you’d prefer.”

“It is.”

Deputy Roy’s black mustache twitched, his gaze returning to Principal Stevenson. “Just make sure you don’t go too easy on them. These two need to learn their actions have consequences.”