Page 89 of Kisses and Paperclips

In my sheets.

In the way my body still hummed like it remembered the shape of him.

I wore his words like a phantom touch all morning.

Right up until my phone rang.

“Ms. Harris? We need you to speak to you in person about Zamir, it’s urgent.”

No preamble. No explanation. Just the clipped urgency of a school administrator’s voice and the kind of dread that makes your stomach drop before your feet even move.

They said Zamir was safe.

But something was wrong.

Now I was storming through the school’s front doors, adrenaline pulsing in my neck.

I didn’t even think about grabbing designer sweats with yesterday’s mascara, and a blazer until I realized it still smelled like him.

Principal Franklin stood when I walked in, her lines clean and her warmth practiced. Her linen suit was pressed, and her smile was professional and pleasant.

“Thank you for getting here so quickly, Mrs. Harris.”

Mrs.

I blinked.

I’d been here a dozen times before…science fairs, robotics club, essay awards where Zamir insisted robots would run the government in a hundred years. Every time, I corrected her.

It’s Miss. Harris.

Always Miss.

But today, she said it like we’d never met, like I wasn’t the woman raising him. Something sharp and unspoken broke loose in my chest.

“I came as fast as I could,” I said, crossing my arms. “What’s going on?”

She motioned to the chair across from her desk, the one with the too-soft cushions and judgment in the upholstery. “I appreciate you coming. I just wanted to discuss some changes we’ve been seeing in Zamir.”

Changes.

I sat down but stayed perched at the edge, like I couldn’t afford the luxury of comfort.

Because I couldn’t.

“He’s been a little more withdrawn lately. Not engaging with classwork the way he normally does. We’ve also noticed him sleeping during classes.”

My heart twisted. “Sleeping?”

She nodded. “It’s been recurring. Three days this week.”

“And you thought I wouldn’t want to know this immediately?”

She hesitated. “I did try reaching out. I spoke with Mr. Harris this morning—”

I held up a hand.

“Stop.”

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