Chapter 100 Brody’s Call
Hello, ter Graham Cameron sat down on a single armchair by the window.
Brody’s voice came through, soft and calm. “Cameron, where are you right now?”
Cameron paused for a few seconds. “I’m at home.”
Brody said. “The school’s changed its decision. You’re welcome to come back. Can you make it to class this afternoon?”
“This afternoon? Cameron echoed
*Yes, this afternoon. Can you make it in time for the first period?”
Cameron frowned slightly. Brody was pausing between each sentence as if someone were standing beside him. His voice sounded a little distant, like he was on speakerphone.
She declined. “No, Mr. Graham. I have something to take care of today. I won’t be able to come in.”
You’ve got something to do? What could be more important than school right now? Cameron, the SATS are right around the comer-
know, Cameron cut him off. “But Mr. Graham, I was kicked out for no reason. I’m not just going to crawl back in like nothing happened. I’m heading to Horizon Academy this afternoon. I think they’ll be happy to have me.”
William, who had been hovering next to the phone, stiffened. He immediately started gesturing at Brody, clearly alarmed. He looked like he was about to snatch the phone and speak himself.
No way, Cameron’s one of the top students. I can’t just stand by and watch her transfer to Horizon Academy. That’d kill me, he thought
William could easily meet Cameron’s demands, but his pride got in the way. He was the principal of Langford Academy, and the idea of being pushed around by someone who had only just turned eighteen was hard to stomach.
So, he had planned to have Brody call and simply order her back to school. But clearly, Cameron was not having it. Brody tried again. “Cameron, the SATS are coming up fast. Changing schools now would just complicate everything.” 1 don’t want to change schools either,” Cameron replied. “But Mr. Drake refused to let me return.”
Brody and Williamn both fell silent.
Why is she being so stubborn? William thought, frustrated. ‘Looks like we’ll need to break that attitude down a bit more.’ William waved his hand toward Brody. Taking the cue, Brody said, “Cameron, think it over. You’re welcome to come back anytime you want.”
“Mr. Graham,” Cameron said calmly, “please tell Mr. Drake he’s got two days left. After that, the offer’s off the table. Goodbye.” Then she hung up.
William stared at the now–silent phone. “She hung up?”
Brody nodded. “She did.”
William’s face darkened. He had not expected to be backed into a corner by Cameron.
Brody spoke up. “Mr. Drake, with all due respect, expelling Cameron because of the Chapman family really was unfair. Her conditions aren’t unreasonable.”
“So you’re saying,” William said coldly, “I should give in to her demands?”
Brody nodded firmly. “Yes, I think you should.”
William stayed quiet for a while, deep in thought. Then he finally gave a nod. “Fine. For your sake, I’ll agree to her ridiculous demand. Let her know. If she shows up at school by ten tomorrow morning, she’ll get everything she asked for.”
What William needed was a way to defend dignity. As the principal, he could not let it seem like he had been manip by a teenager
But still, nothing mattered more than keeping the top student at Langford. Letting Cameron return was the safest move. Brody’s expression eased. “Thank you, Mr. Drake.”
When Brody called again, Cameron was having in the hotel’s cooand floor restaurant. He relayed William’s message. Cameron thanked him politely, though her face Successfully unlocked! on had expected as much. If William had truly wanted to say no, he would have done it already.
Chapter 101 Consultation
Chapter 101 Consultation
