Page 137 of The Broken Note

All I can see is Serena’s teary-eyes.

Her mother’s pale face.

The promise I made that will never be fulfilled.

“Have some respect for your principal!” Harris shrieks, curling back.

Sol’s fingers dig into my arm, but I can barely feel the pinch.

“Since I’m no longer a student here, then you’re not my freakingprincipal!”

“Who said you weren’t a student here?” a new voice growls.

I freeze, my eyes swinging to the open door that is now occupied by two people—Dutch and…

“Miller.” Principal Harris’s face pales. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk about business. I didn’t know I’d be stepping into a bar brawl.”

“They were just leaving.” Harris reddens and pats his shirt down.

“No. I don’t think they are.” Dutch’s words are for Harris, but his eyes are on the place where Sol is holding onto me.

Sol doesn’t drop his hand despite Dutch’s warning stare.

I break out of his hold myself.

“Dutch. Miller. What is this about?”

Dutch fills the room with his darkly charismatic presence, claiming the cluttered office like it’s his own personal war room. He turns the Redwood Prep sweater, heavy trousers, and combat boots into a cloak and scepter.

I’ve never seen a man so confident in himself. From the way he walks to the way he runs his fingers through his blonde hair and the way he flashes a cocky smile when he passes me by. He’s arrogance personified.

The chairman of the board takes a seat in front of the desk. “After talking things over with the board, our lawyers and the police, we’ve decided that there just isn’t enough evidence to charge Ms. Parker with the crime of setting the fire.”

Harris gapes like a fish, but I can’t judge him because my jaw hits the floor too.

I slant Dutch a stunned look.

He winks at me before facing Miller. “And since Christa is leaving Redwood to study overseas, there’s one more spot open in the music program and Mr. Miller has generously offered to dedicate a scholarship in Christa’s name to Redwood.”

My knees buckle. I can’t even believe what I’m hearing.

Christa leaving Redwood for good?

Her spot opening up a place for Serena?

All her expenses paid while she’s at Redwood?

Dutch’s eyes meet mine. “Serena was a part of our music program and, I represent the entire class, when I say that if anyone messes with her, they mess with us.”

My heart flips strangely. I press a hand to my chest, trying to calm down.

“That’s generous of you,” Principal Harris smacks his lips, “but the rumors have spread. How would it look if we brought back the person who started the fire?”

“Serena didn’t start the fire,” Sol says harshly.

“The fire is old news. Mistakes happen.” Miller waves a hand as if he couldn’t be bothered.

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