It was just school.
Senior year.
Nine months before I could walk out of here and never look back.
I could do it.
I could.
Besides, what was the worst that could happen?
I had nothing left to lose.
“Ah, Miss Rowe, come in.”
The word clanged through me like the slam of a door or the shatter of glass.
Rowe.
Rowe.
Rowe.
He’d called me Miss Rowe.
“It’s Maguire. Miss Maguire.”
Something akin to surprise flashed over his expression, but he quickly forced his mouth into a smile. “Yes, of course. My apologies, Miss Maguire. Please, take a seat.”
Principal Diego was exactly as Celeste had described him. An older man with bushy gray eyebrows, a thick neck, and a leering gaze that seemed to run over my body like a hundred tiny spiders crawling over my skin.
A shudder rolled through me as I pressed my hands over my knees in an attempt to better cover myself.
“How are you feeling? Any first day jitters?”
“I’m fine.”
“Good, that’s very good.” He steepled his fingers and sat a little taller. All the better to see me with, no doubt.
“I understand from your father that you are much better now and ready to embark on your senior year with what I hope will be a smile on your face and a spring in your step.”
Was this guy for real?
I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes, instead counting the circles on the geometrical print hanging on the wall behind him. So many circles looped together, in and around each other.
One… two… three… four—
“Miss Maguire?” He cleared his throat, those bushy brows drawn tightly.
“Sorry, yes. Absolutely. Smile and spring.”
His voice was a nasally drawl as if he had something stuck in the back of his throat. “Yes, well, I’m sure you’re going to fit right in here at DA. We’re one of the best schools in the state and our extracurricular program is quite impressive. Do you play any sports, Miss Maguire? Or perhaps you’re more of a creative? Art? Drama? Maybe even the debate team? If you’re anything like your father, I’m sure you’d be an—”
“I’m not. I mean, I’m sure I’ll find something.”
“I have no doubts.” He smiled but it did little to ease the tangled knot in my stomach.
“If you have any problems settling in, you can come directly to me or visit our guidance teacher Miss Hanley. She’s down the hall.”