Page 239
“I got a hall pass. I heard them calling you to the principal’s office and wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine. I’m sure it’s nothing,” I reply. “Although you’re not exactly helping me believe that,” I add, pointing at the deep frown etched between his brows.
“Sorry.” He reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “Come on. I’ll walk you there.”
We make our way to the administrative offices, where the secretary looks up from behind her desk as we approach.
“I’m here to see Principal Hargrove,” I tell her.
Her mood immediately sours as she looks me up and down with the same undisguised contempt I’ve come to expect.
Milo must notice it too, because the next thing I know, he’s stepping between us, blocking her view of me.
“Do we have a problem here?”
She blinks at him in surprise. “No, of course not, Milo.”
“Good. Then I’d appreciate it if you didn’t look at my girlfriend like that.”
She straightens in her chair, hastily schooling her features into something resembling professionalism. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, but Maxine can go right in.” Her gaze flicks toward me before returning to Milo. “You, however, will have to wait here.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening.”
He starts walking toward Hargrove’s office, taking me with him.
“Milo!” she calls after him. “You can’t just—”
But he’s already pushing the door open.
The principal looks up from his desk, visibly startled by our entrance. “What is the meaning of this?”
His eyes settle on me, naturally, as if I were somehow responsible for Milo barging into his office.
“You asked Max to come see you,” Milo says. “Why?”
“That is a private matter between Maxine and myself.” Hargrove rises from his chair. “Milo, I’m going to have to ask you to leave so I can speak with her alone.”
“No.”
“Milo—”
“Whatever you have to say to Max, you can say in front of me.”
He squares his shoulders, somehow making his already imposing six-foot-four frame seem even larger.
Hargrove’s mouth tightens. “This is a confidential matter. I cannot discuss it with another student without Maxine’s permission.”
“You have it,” I say before Milo can argue further. “Whatever you need to tell me, he can hear it too.”
Hargrove looks between us for a moment, clearly displeased by the arrangement. Then he releases a weary sigh and settles back into his chair.
“Very well. Close the door, please.”
Milo does as he’s told, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Maxine, I’m afraid I have some very disappointing news.”
He gestures toward the empty chair opposite his desk. I sit, while Milo prefers to keep standing right behind me.
