Unexpected

“In light of everything that happened in the cafeteria, and your unruly appearance, you are excused from the rest of your classes today.”

My throat goes dry as nervous needles tickle my spine. Sending me home means it will go in my file that I was suspended. I’ve never been in trouble before. I have no idea how this will affect my future.

What if the University of Florida pulls my scholarship? Or worse, what if they rescind my acceptance? Heat claims my neck, making me break out into a cold sweat. Going to UF has been my dream since the third grade. I don’t know what I’ll do if they kick me out because of this.

“Please, Mrs. Baxa, you can’t suspend me. I didn’t do anything wrong. Asher and I were just sitting there, having a conversation, when Liam came up. I’m sure he didn’t mean to cause a fight, but Liam and Asher are like oil and water. They don’t mix sometimes. I tried to get help. I tried to break it up. I don’t deserve to be suspended.”

Mrs. Baxa exhales an impatient breath. “I know all of this, Miss Walker. Both boys insisted you had nothing but good intentions this afternoon.”

“Then why are you sending me home?” Tears of frustration pool behind my eyes. My future can’t be ruined because of a cockfight. I won’t let it.

“Because you were physically assaulted and are covered in blood.” Principal Baxa huffs. She glances at her watch and her lips turn down into a frown, probably from reading a message. I don’t think she’s intentionally being rude. If I had to guess, I’d say the woman is at the end of her rope. At our school, something is always happening. Be it a fight or a spontaneous electrical fire in the woodshop, shit here is never ending.

“Oh,” I say, relaxing a little. “So I’m not in trouble?”

“No.”

“And you don’t have to call my parents?” It’s a long shot, but a girl can hope.

“The nurse needs to call them to explain the incident, but no. I don’t have to.” She pauses and stares at me skeptically. “Unless that’s what you want.”

“No!” I shout, jumping to the edge of my seat.

Mrs. Baxa’s lips lift into an amused smirk. She’s pretty when she smiles. Too bad the sight is as rare as an A on my report card. “May I offer some advice?”

I nod, not sure what words of wisdom she could offer.

“The sooner you end your lover’s quarrel with those boys, the better. I’m very much aware of the tension between Mr. Heiter and Mr. Anderson. Their situation warrants as much, but you don’t need to add to it.”

“What situation?” Does she know about their dad? Is Derek Heiter a three-timing scum, sleeping with Ms. Baxa too? I bet he is. I bet that’s why she transitioned from assistant principal to principal our freshman year, and I’d bet she is why Asher was able to come to school with us. I press my palm to my forehead. This is too much to process.

Mrs. Baxa pales and my suspicions are confirmed. “Never mind. Collect your things, Miss Walker, and have a good day.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m outside the school’s entrance. I look around at the overflowing student lot and weigh my options. It’s a five-mile hike to my house. Five long miles in the blistering Florida heat, but I’d rather walk than tell my mom I was sent home. First, she’ll freak out about my nose, and then she'll scold me for trying to break up a fight. Her disappointment is worse than any punishment she or Mrs. Baxa could hand out.

Convinced I’ve made the best decision, I shoulder my backpack but barely make it to the front gates before the distinct rumble of a motorcycle stops beside me. I keep my gaze forward, not wanting to see the damage Liam inflicted, or vice versa. Today’s fight was uncalled for. I understand that these two have issues that stretch beyond me, but they need to deal with it when I’m not around.

“Where the hell have you been?” Asher asks, silencing the motorcycle. “I’ve been waiting outside for you for almost an hour. I was starting to think you took a ride with Liam.”

“I ran into Russell. We were talking.”

Russell confirmed everything Asher said in the cafeteria. Right down to Asher beating the snot out of a group of guys in the boy's bathroom yesterday. It’s all the more reason I need space from everyone. Liam was supposed to be my best friend. Why didn’t he stick up for me? Why is he letting people make me out to be a cheap slut? I’m so angry, I could easily do something I’ll probably regret, like agreeing to Asher’s fake-dating proposal.

“I didn’t know you were waiting for me.”

“Of course I was waiting for you!” Asher takes his helmet off and holds it against his stomach.

He barely has a mark on him, and I'm surprised at the relief that comes over me. That feeling is short lived when I see the bruise

s on his knuckles. He may not look like anything happened in the cafeteria today, but I don’t think the same can be said for Liam.

“Ellie.” He reaches out and touches my arm. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Asher frowns and holds his helmet out to me. “Can I take you home? I feel like shit. I never meant for you to get hurt.”

“No.” My feet carry me forward. I grit my teeth and turn my head. I might be angry with Liam, but I’m not exactly happy with Asher, either. He started a fight. He freaking elbowed me in the nose. And, apparently, he got some girl pregnant. It couldn’t have been someone from our school, that kind of juiciness doesn’t stay secret for long, but the fact that I didn’t know makes me inexplicably frustrated. I spin on my heels and stare him down. “Tell me about the girl, Asher. The one you got pregnant.”