Love's Cruel Redemption (The Ghost Bird #12)(75)

“The superintendent is at work,” he said. “I checked in. He’s on the phone fielding calls for this. He must think his position is secure, at least for now. We’re now following him closer to see if he gets in touch with Hendricks.” He drew me in, kissing my cheek shortly. “I’m going to go get us some food. Vending food okay with you?”

“Anything.”

“I’ll be quick.” He put his phone back into his pocket. I went back to the piano. There were a couple of messenger bags sitting around, but otherwise, there wasn’t much else in the room. I picked up my own backpack I’d brought in, the gray one with pink. There were a couple of notebooks inside.

I checked them, finding the notebook I’d been using to write to guys in. There was just one note from me, and then Dr. Green wrote in it. I’d put it aside for a bit while recovering in the Lee household. Gabriel must have found it.

It was so important to me back then to be able to write everything out. I flipped through it quickly, re-reading the note Dr. Green had left. He, too, mentioned needing to work a few details out.

I turned the page and then brought it to the table. On one of the pages, I started writing in the Korean lettering to keep it secret. I didn’t want Danielle or Marie to be able to read it. I wanted to work on it this afternoon, since we’d be here anyway.

On the page, I wrote out: New Family Rules. I wasn’t sure what else to call it. The Academy had rules, but it seemed like the individual groups had their own rules as well. Relationships were built on agreements.

Rule one was respecting line of sight. I wrote it out, and it sounded odd, but in smaller text below, I put that it meant when possible, I promised to respect the others by not getting too physical in front of the others. What I didn’t write out was what I thought might be okay, things like reaching for a hand, a hug, maybe other small things.

I examined what I’d written. Somehow writing out the concept had me examining the boundaries. What was okay? What wasn’t? This got complicated, depending on the guy. Luke might say everything was okay, and Kota...were hugs too much for him?

And Nathan. Kota and Nathan asking Lily about me, making sure I was okay with this.

My heart surged at thinking about it. Happy.

They wanted this.

They wouldn’t bother to go this far without wanting it. They were trying.

My eyes teared a bit, relief flooding over me. The few I’d been most worried about, the ones the others were worried about not going along with it...

They were trying.

For me.

I swallowed my emotions back, trying to calm myself. It didn’t surprise me at all Nathan and Kota wanted to make absolutely sure.

I would have done the same. I was doing it every time I was around them. Checking in. Testing the waters. Waiting to talk about it with them.

Suddenly, the speakers overhead announced, “Would Nathan Griffin and Sang Sorenson please come to the main office?” There were a barrage of other voices in the background of the announcement.

I jumped at the sound of my name, dropping the pen. My heart raced.

This was over. Our job at the school was over.





We’ll Never Be the Same




My name on the announcement seemed to echo in my ears over and over. I stuffed the book into my bag and left it near my seat. I went to the music room door and waited just inside it, anticipating being told to ignore it.

I wouldn’t leave unless someone told me it was okay, but I kept on the lookout for someone to come back and tell me what to do. I reached for the door, wanting to peek out.

Before I opened it, Kota was back. He held the door open, his eyes wide and calculating.

“What now?” I asked. “Why are we getting asked to come in?”

“I don’t know,” Kota said. He pulled out his phone, letting the door swing shut behind him. He tapped out some messages and then nodded slowly. “They’re saying go. I guess it’s safe.”

My heart raced. I wasn’t supposed to be called in at all. I was supposed to stay away. “What does it mean?”

He picked his head up and with more confidence, he smiled. “It wouldn’t happen unless it’s okay for it to happen. Something must be going on.” He urged me to come with him.

I followed him into the hallway. There was little interest in us from other students until we got closer to the main office.

Nathan was waiting by the door, just outside next to the police officer. He approached me when I came close. He checked in quietly with Kota before looking back at me, a questioning eyebrow raised.

I had no answers, silent or otherwise. We were here. We needed to see what they wanted.

Kota remained outside, pausing to talk to the officer guarding the door.

I kept shoulder to shoulder with Nathan once we were inside. The the waiting area in front of the main desk was crowded with parents and students. We had to elbow our way to the front. I tried to ignore the gazes of other parents and students hanging around nearby. I’m sure to parents, we looked rather curious with our uniforms.

The woman behind the desk took one look at me and pointed to the hallway on my left. “Principal’s office for you.” She noted Nathan as well and pointed the opposite direction. “Dr. Green’s waiting for you in his office.”

She knew our faces better than I realized. The mention of the principal’s office had my heart pumping wildly.