Page 106 of Ruthless Legacy

“I went to gym class and when I came back, it was like this. Someone went into my locker and cut it up.”

The clerk shakes her head. “How many times have you told me this same story, and how many times have you been able to prove it?”

“None, but that’s what happened.”

“I’ll ask you like I’ve asked all the other times. Who do you think has access to your gym locker? Who would do this?”

She presses her lips together. I don’t even go to this school and I can guess who it is.

“You may change your shirt and serve detention this afternoon, or we will mark this infraction, which brings your total to three, at which we will suspend you for a week.”

“I can’t serve a week's suspension. I have a major science test and I’m participating in the innovative tech qualifiers.”

“Then you may go into the bathroom and change your shirt. Be sure to report back here so I can mark it as acceptable and assign detention.”

“I don’t have another shirt.”

“Perhaps your mother can bring you one.”

“She’s at work, and can’t leave.”

“Then I’m afraid we will have to mark this down. You can ask if the teacher will allow you to make up the test, but you’ll be prohibited from the qualifiers and any other competitions for the semester.”

Her tears start again. I stand, slowly approaching the desk. “Here you are ma’am. I’m done with this form.”

When she takes it from me, I ask, “May I use the restroom before I go?”

“I’ll need your ID so I can give you a visitor pass.”

“Oh, I don’t have my wallet.”

She frowns at me. “I’m sorry, then no. We can’t have you walking around campus unchaperoned, and I don’t have anyone that I can free up to take you at the moment.”

Amaya offers, “I can take her. I have to go too.”

“Very well.” She gives Amaya a pass and me a visitor sticker. “Go straight to the restroom and come back.”

I follow Amaya down the hall and to the bathroom. She goes into the stall. Seconds later, I hear her crying. She flushes, walks to the sink to wash her hand, trying to put on a brave face. I get to work stripping out of my jacket and shirt. She spins around and takes a step away from me, looking panicked.

“Relax, kiddo. I’m not about to do anything to you. I’m trying to help. Here, take my shirt and jacket, and give me your T-shirt.”

“Wh-why?”

“It sounds like you can’t afford another infraction.”

“I can’t. Not this semester. I just need to compete next week and then the infractions reset to zero for the new semester, but if I get five over the course of the year, I’ll lose my scholarship.”

“I can’t help with any of that, but I can help today.” I hold out my clothes.

She shakes her head. “These are. They look expensive.”

“Probably. I didn’t buy them. Nowcome on, before that clerk comes looking for us.”

She slips on the camisole and the jacket. They’re both a little big on her. “Tuck the shirt in your jeans.” She does and I make a knot at the top of the straps, tightening them on her shoulders. When she puts the jacket on, I tuck and roll the sleeves to below her elbow. I eye her t-shirt. There’s a gash from just below the armpit to the middle of the shirt. “Got any scissors in that bag?”

“Yes.” She pulls out a pair, and I cut the other side, getting it as close to symmetrical as possible.

It’s tight in the neck, so I cut through the collar and snip down to the top of my breast, creating a rough v-neck. Good enough. To Amaya, I say, “Wipe your face. Letting them see you upset only gives them what they want. They don’t deserve that power over you.”

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