The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“I realize you may be scared about ‘narcing’ on your sister, but this meeting is more about our concern for Mandy. She’s been struggling lately, we’ve all noticed.”

“And here she thought she was hiding it so well,” I remarked, rolling my eyes.

“Miss Matthews, I don’t think you realize how serious this is.”

“I do. But it’s not my place to send memos for my sister.”

I was right and Principal Marshalls knew it. I saw a flash of guilt in his eyes.

“This girl is awful. She has an attitude with everyone. I can’t believe you let her stay in our school,” Coach Hailey cried out.

“I thought you were a counselor,” I shot her way.

“I am.” She blinked, the evil robot was reconfiguring what the definition of a counselor was.

“You’re not even nice,” I pointed out. “Are you sure?”

“Taryn,” the principal barked, “you will learn to mind your mouthyou’re your manners.”

Sounded like the name of a rock band.

I rolled my eyes, but shut up.

“We have two items on the agenda here. One, your sister’s disappearance and two, your attitude.”

“Ask all my teachers. I don’t have an attitude with them.”

“Yes, this is why Mr. Martson found you and Tray Evans in an inappropriate position this morning.”

See—inappropriate position, inappropriate boundaries—same thing.

I grinned. “It didn’t feel inappropriate.”

“See! Mr. Marshalls, she should be in a boot camp somewhere. There are places that do outdoor therapy, I think Miss Matthews would benefit most from that type of environment.”

“Oh come on!” I cried out. “You just don’t like me because I didn’t take your crap. And Mandy being gone is not my

responsibility to explain. When her parents finally show up, it’s their job.”

Principal Marshalls had been watching the exchange. He said, “I agree—”

With who?

“I agree with Miss Matthews that her sister’s absence should be explained by her parents and not her sister. But I agree with Ms. Hailey that your attitude does need dealing with, Taryn.” Oh, like the use of my first name is going to scare me. Bite my ass.

He continued his blah, blah, blahing, “I think some consequences should be handed out for your attitude.”

“Like I’m the only one with an attitude in this school!” I cried out. “That is so unfair.”

“When you transferred here, we were given specific instructions and warnings on your behaviors. You have one of the largest files in school and this is not the first time you’ve been sent to my office.”

Please, that chair was begging to be tipped over.

“And you have an impressive record of skipping classes.”

“Like I’m the only one,” I retorted.

“Which is why you’re primarily here for the prevention of further behaviors,” he explained in a tone that was supposed to sound kind, but he sounded like a pompous ass in my opinion.