Chapter 362

Emily Blair didn’t say another word. She took Ms. Carter by the wrist-despite the teacher’s protests and led her out of the office.
The whole way down the hallway, Emily stayed silent, but Ms. Carter was brimming with questions she couldn’t begin to untangle.
“Emily! Emily, are you even listening to me? Did you hear what I said?”
“Emily, I truly don’t understand what you’re thinking!” Ms. Carter’s voice echoed down the corridor, her brows knitted with worry as she stared at Emily’s back.
Emily’s grip was firm around Ms. Carter’s wrist, and she practically towed her along. It was all so backwards-Ms. Carter was the adult here, the teacher, at least a decade older than Emily. She was taller and sturdier, where Emily’s slight frame seemed almost lost in her baggy school uniform, like a gust of wind could carry her away at any moment. And yet, despite limping along on her cane, Emily’s steps were unshakably steady, and Ms. Carter couldn’t break free from her grasp.
Emily pressed forward in total silence, refusing to look back or answer, no matter how Ms. Carter called after her.
Frustration welled up inside Ms. Carter, mingling with helplessness. Between expulsion and an apology, an apology was clearly the lesser evil, but the statement they wanted Emily to make was simply outrageous. If Emily really did release it publicly, her reputation would be destroyed for life. That experience would follow her forever-her whole future tainted by one moment.
She’s only just turned eighteen, Ms. Carter thought. Her whole life is supposed to be ahead of her.
As Ms. Carter called out, her voice cracked, grief tightening in her chest until she couldn’t say another word.
It wasn’t until they reached the front steps of the school building that Emily finally spoke. “Ms. Carter, you really don’t have to worry about me.”
Her voice was calm and even, clear as spring water-steady, unshaken, almost soothing.
The sound of it made Ms. Carter’s heart stutter with a fleeting glimmer of hope, but it vanished almost as quickly, drowned beneath the weight of her sadness.
“Emily, this isn’t something I can decide for you,” Ms. Carter murmured. “Whether it’s an apology or an expulsion, either way, it’s a disaster for you. You’re the only one who can make this choice. I’m sorry-I was too emotional back there. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was just… I’m just so worried about you. The statement they’re asking for, it’s just—”
Emily looked her in the eye, her gaze level and steady.
She could see how much Ms. Carter was hurting; the kind eyes that were usually so gentle were clouded with worry, her lips pressed tightly together, her whole face drawn with concern. She really is upset for me, Emily thought, and the realization left her with a tangle of complicated feelings.
Softly, she said, “Ms. Carter, I know you’re just worried about me. You don’t need to apologize.”
“And you really don’t have to worry,” Emily continued, her voice gentle but firm. “I have my own plan, and I promise I’ll protect myself as best I can
She hesitated, on the verge of explaining—almost blurting out her intentions-but she stopped herself just in time. The fewer people who knew, the safer her plan would be. Especially Ms. Carter. If the teacher found out, she’d never agree, and she’d only worry even more.
Ms. Carter had only just escaped being fired herself not long ago, thanks in part to Emily. She couldn’t risk dragging her into trouble again.
So Emily lowered her gaze and said nothing more.
“Really,” she finished quietly, “I’ll be fine. Please don’t worry about me.”
But Ms. Carter’s anxiety only grew as she listened. Seeing how mature and self- contained Emily was, her heart ached all the more.
“Emily, when are you planning to release your statement? I’ll go online and speak up for you. It’s the least I can do.”