Sweet Dandelion

A sweat breaks out over my whole body and I’m sure I’m turning a dangerous shade of red.

Bad, this is bad.

But Lachlan still isn’t here and that worries me the most.

Did he actually get fired over rumors? Is that where he’s been?

>

“Have a seat Ms. Meadows.” Mr. Gordon swings his hand at the empty chair before smoothing down his tie and going behind the desk to sit in his own chair.

I look between Principal Gordon and my brother, fighting my rising panic.

What is going on?

Mr. Gordon lays his palms on the table, stretching out his fingers.

Clearing his throat, he begins, “I don’t know quite the best approach for addressing this delicate situation.”

“Delicate situation?” Sage’s head shoots back and forth between me and the principal. “Let’s get to the point, shall we?”

Mr. Gordon blows out a breath. “Mr. Taylor, our guidance counselor, was offered another job and put in his notice a few weeks ago that he’d be leaving before the school’s end.”

What the hell? Another job? Did he change jobs to un-complicate things between us? Why not tell me that?

“He’s already gone, but in his absence rumors began swirling of an inappropriate relationship between him and a student.”

Again, Sage’s gaze shoots between Mr. Gordon and me. “I’m confused why we’re here then? Is it because she was seeing him every day? Do you need to ask questions or something? I’m sure Dani will tell you whatever you need to know.”

I’m going to faint. Or throw up. This is bad.

“Well, you see,” Mr. Gordon laces his fingers together, “the rumors concern Dandelion.”

“Dani? My sister?” Sage snorts. “How?”

He knows how. He knows what’s being hinted. But he doesn’t want to accept it.

My hands are tight on the arms of the chair I sit in.

Principal Gordon’s eyes shift to me and back to my brother. “Rumors have spread through the school that the relationship between Dandelion and Mr. Taylor was more than professional.”

Sage’s whole face is bright red, his fists clenched on his lap. “I believe what you’re telling me is that the student body is spreading rumors, because a staff member left, that my sister must have slept with them? That’s the most bullshit thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Ms. Meadows?” Mr. Gordon looks at me.

“T-They’re rumors,” I stutter. “Mr. Taylor has helped me a lot, with what happened before, but that’s it. M-Maybe people realized that I spent my every day period with him and the rumor started that way.”

Mr. Gordon stares at me, looking for any trace that I could be lying.

“Ms. Meadows, if he coerced you in any way to do something you weren’t comfortable with I need to know. The school will need to do an investigation, his new place of employment will need to be contacted—”

“That’s not necessary,” I rush out. “Seriously, it’s nothing like that.”

“If my sister says nothing happened, I believe her.”

Mr. Gordon sighs. “Well … I … I guess, you can go then. I apologize for bringing you all the way here.”

Sage stands up, shaking hands with the man.