Page 121 of Just a Little White Lie

I don’t know what she’s scribbling on her pad right now, but it’s irritating me. She’s not listening, not taking this seriously!

“Are you hearing what I’m saying to you?” I soften my voice. “They’re not being treated as equals within this school, and I blame the teaching staff. I hold the leadership responsible.” I point at her and am surprised my finger isn’t shaking. I could lose my job over this.

But, hey, we’re telling the truth, aren’t we?

“Helen, you treat them like they’re different, like they’re not as good as everybody else. How do you want them to act? How do they rise to the occasion when you have no faith in them?”

Her mouth drops open. She’s obviously too insulted to speak, so I just keep going.

“Every time Maverick’s in a bust-up, you brush over the behavior of the other person involved. Because you want to stay in good with the board, because you can’t be seen to show any kind of compassion or understanding to students who have come from nothing. The class system in this school is abhorrent, and I will not stand by and let good people with kind hearts and so much to give be trampled on. They are going to this dance competition.Allof them. And when they win that prize money, it’s not going to anyone but them. Because they’ve earned it.”

Helen manages a soft gasp, and she’s still gaping at me.

But I’m on a roll, so I just keep on spouting.

“Look, I know Maverick screwed up yesterday. So does he. His apology to me was genuine, and I have forgiven him without hesitation. This morning, he spent the first two periods in counseling, and he’s agreed to anger management and learning strategies that will help him with control. The deal I’ve made with him is that as long as he continues to attend those sessions and work hard to master those strategies, then he can remain on the team and he can attend any competition that comes our way.” I pause to suck in a breath and quickly finish before she can speak. “If we place at this one, we get automatic entry to the North Island Dance-Mania. And I’m pretty sure they’re going to place. They’re good enough. They are definitely good enough.”

I suck in a final breath, checking my brain for anything else, but… I’m done.

I slump back in my chair, feeling thoroughly drained.

Sully gives my elbow a light squeeze and winks at me.

Helen clicks her pen again, clears her throat, and blinks a dozen times. She takes her sweet time in responding, and I end up shuffling in my seat like an army of ants is crawling through my underwear.

“Well, that was a lot to take in.” She places her pen gently on her desk. “I can see you are very passionate about what you’re doing here, and I appreciate the heart that you have for these students. I’m sure they do too.”

Her voice is trembling a little. I’m pretty sure it’s tempered anger, and I swallow, waiting for the rest.

“I don’t appreciate your comments about my leadership, but a good leader takes all feedback on board. I will try to be mindful of fairness and equality while also valuing the way this school is presented to the public. We have an image to uphold, and parents pay a lot of money for their children to attend. Their expectations are very high, and I will not let them down.”

My stomach bunches. Where’s she going with this?

Her forced calm is making me twitchy.

Just a simple yes or no would be great, thanks, Helen.

“You and the students have worked very hard, and I won’t deny them the opportunity to compete.”

Oh, thank God!

“However, I am hesitant to allow Maverick to go.”

“Please, you—”

She holds up her hand to stop me.

I bite my lips together and try not to whine. She’s drawing this out into a painfully long reply. It’s killing me.

“I’m impressed you got him to see the counselor. This is a big feat that no one has managed, and because of that… because he’s shown a willingness to commit to change, he can go.”

“He can go?” I rasp the question.

She nods once, a stiff affirmation that makes my insides burst.

“Yes!” I punch my hands in the air.

She gives me a sharp look, and I quickly cross my arms, striving for a demure smile.

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