Page 119 of Just a Little White Lie

“I don’t want to. Mrs. Kwan can be a real hardass. But, um… if we could maybe come up with a way to approach this that’s honest but will win her over?”

“What are you thinking?” His uncertain frown is so endearing.

I swallow, bobbing my head as I try to piece together the muddle of thoughts that hounded me throughout the night. “What if we present her with a deal? You get to compete because you’ve worked way too hard and come way too far to miss out. In return, you agree to go to counseling or some kind of anger management. The stuff Sully’s been trying to get you to do for months.”

Maverick clenches his jaw.

“You’d have to give it a really decent shot. Like turn up, all in, and commit. I could even try and get you in with the school counselor today.”

His forehead crumples. “Do you think he’d see me?”

“Absolutely. I wouldmakehim.”

He snickers. “Why do you fight so hard for me?”

“Because you’re worth it.”

His vulnerable look of gratitude does my heart in, and when he pulls me into a hug, I squeeze his back and smile, resting my chin on his shoulder.

Determination fires through me.

We’re gonna win this.

I am not failing this kid.

LAUREN

Igot Maverick into a counseling session that morning. He spent the first two periods in there while I ran the Misfits through warm-ups and we tweaked the bits of the performance we could. We needed Maverick back, but I knew what he was currently doing was way more important.

When the morning bell rang, I ran upstairs and managed to catch the counselor on his way to the staff room.

“How’d it go?”

“I can’t discuss it with you.”

“You don’t have to tell me details. I just need to know if… you can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

He paused at the doorway to the staffroom and gave me a slow smile. “If he’s willing to try out the strategies I’ve given him, then yes… there’s light in his future.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” It took everything in me not to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss that chubby cheek of his.

I skipped off to the admin block and made an appointment to see Principal Kwan.

She was squeezing me in at lunchtime, and I returned to the dance studio, sat the group down, and told them how it was gonna go.

Everyone was nervous and edgy, which made dance rehearsal interesting, but we got through, and I marched my shaky legs up to Helen’s office five minutes early. I was running on coffee fumes and Maverick’s muffin, which was freaking delicious. If dancing doesn’t work out for him, he’s got a definite calling in the kitchen. I told him that, and his friends all started laughing. It was a good-natured teasing, and he brushed it off with a grin and told them all to shut up.

I reach Helen’s office door and straighten my shirt, letting out a slow breath and threading my shaking digits together.

“You’re gonna be great.” Sully takes a seat beside me. “Mind if I sit in?”

“Not at all.” I slump with relief.

“Maverick called me during the break time. Told me what you got him to do. I’m impressed, Lauren.” He holds out his hand. “Welcome to Team Maverick.”

I shake his hand with a grin, a slightly hysterical laugh punching out of me.

Biting my lips together, I dip my chin and bob my knee.

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