Reason 18:

He framed me.
So what if I did it first?
My actions stemmed from a
higher moral authority: me.

Headmaster Lowell pulled me out of history class the next morning.

Me.

I’d never been removed from class before, other than when my grandmother died in eighth grade and our father pulled us out of school to tell us. It felt like every single one of my nerve endings was exposed as I followed the headmaster into his office.

“Do you know why you’re here?” he asked.

My hands started to shake. I had no idea how to answer. If I assumed it was about Cole and the money, he might think I knew something that could implicate Cole. But if I said anything about his car, he’d question my involvement, which was the last thing in the world I needed.

“No,” I choked out.

“I wanted to thank you for finding my car.”

“Oh, that,” I said, my loud exhale broadcasting my relief.

“Yes,” he said. “Very serendipitous that you stumbled across it. May I ask how it happened?”

“It was no big deal.” I searched for a plausible story. “I was walking home and saw it sitting there. And well, I’d heard about what happened, so I moved in closer to make sure it was yours.”

“That was good thinking,” he said. “That’s why Mr. Evans told me you were looking in my glove compartment when he saw you?”

“Right,” I said slowly.

“Makes sense,” he said, nodding sagely. “But it doesn’t explain how your wallet got in the trunk.”

Panic blindsided me, tumbling me in its clutches. It was a primal sort of fear, the heart-exploding, wide-eyed terror of a wild hare with hounds snapping at its haunches.

I thought about turning and running, partaking in the wild hare’s solution. Out the door and into the woods behind campus, where I could live on berries, acorns, and the nontoxic plants we’d identified in freshman biology.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. I’d underestimated the extent of Sterling’s carefully executed plan, but that ended now. He probably expected me to tattle, but I’d never make that mistake again. Instead, I’d do whatever it took to slide out of this situation, and I’d live on to fight another day.

“Of course it does.” I drew my words out, scrambling through my brain in search of an excuse, any excuse. “I wanted to make sure it really was your car. I know how rare that model is, but still, it seemed so lucky that your car would just be sitting there after you’d lost it. So I searched for any identifying factors. I had to set down my wallet and sunglasses. I realized I was being silly—the registration was in the glove compartment. But at about that time, I remembered that your car was technically a crime scene, and I sort of panicked that I was tampering with evidence.” I paused and looked him square in the eye. I’d read once that was the key to effective lying. “That’s a felony, you know.”

“I’m well aware of that,” Headmaster Lowell said, pressing his hands together in front of him, then separating them until just the fingertips touched. He was being painfully slow and deliberate as he searched for his next words—pretending he was capable of deep thought when he was really just savoring his misplaced headmaster authority before declaring his unilateral victory.

“It all seems very convenient, Harper,” he said. “While I’m grateful that you found my car, I can’t help wondering if this incident has anything to do with Sterling Lane.”

It was so deliciously unexpected that I couldn’t speak. Finally, someone had seen through Sterling’s shiny exterior into the rotten core concealed underneath. Still, I’d never admit it—would never turn Sterling in to the headmaster. I would be the one to teach Sterling Lane his lesson.

But that pause gave Headmaster Lowell the opportunity he needed to finish his thought. “And I want you to understand that while we took a chance on Sterling despite his history of acting out, we have a zero tolerance policy at Sablebrook Academy.” His eyes stabbed me right in the heart. “I also understand you might feel, well…adrift given Sterling’s sudden academic success, and that it might be a bit threatening to you, particularly in Mrs. Stevens’s class. But a truly great mind will embrace the success of others. It’s a stepping-stone for bettering all of society. There’s room at the top for other students.”

“But—” I watched the rescue boat drift past.

“I believe this was an isolated incident, Harper.” He slid his glasses back in place and lifted a stack of papers awaiting his perusal. “So I’ve decided not to pursue this any further. Don’t make me regret it. You may return to class.”

Just like that, I was dismissed. I sat there for a minute, head spinning from the twists and turns of Sterling’s latest move. I had to reluctantly applaud his chess move, his carefully plotted and perfectly executed little prank. I’d warned Sterling that I’d fight fire with fire, and now I was poised on the precipice, prepared to jump in after him.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way.