I

arrive at the field first.

As I stand at midfield and wait for Eva to show up, I think about just how stupid it is for me to be here. Honestly, I’m not sure why I agreed to step out in the middle of the school day. Eva’s reasoning actually seemed logical at the time. But the more I think about, the more illogical it becomes.

Being a little late to class might not be the same thing as cutting class, but what about being a lot late? It’s not as if what we have to talk about will take only a couple minutes. Issues need hashing out.

When Eva gets to the field, I’m going to tell her that I’m sorry, but I can’t talk right now. After school, absolutely. But not right now.

I check the time on my cell phone. Eva should be here. I decide to wait two more minutes. Then I have to get back inside.

If I hurry, I’ll only be a little late. Three or four minutes, tops. I’ll rush into the classroom and tell Ms. Banks I’m really, really sorry. Worst-case scenario, she’ll mark me tardy.

Right?

You can’t suspend someone for being tardy, can you? Even if they have a prior record of cutting class? No—no one would do that. Still, I have to get back inside.

I check my cell phone clock again. Sorry, Eva, time’s up.

Except as I speed walk out of the stadium, I almost smash right into Mr. Lenders.

“Ms. Williams,” he says. He has a giant belly and wheezes when he breathes. “I am truly disappointed to find you here.” More wheezing. “I thought the suspension last year had taken care of your aversion to class.”

“It’s not what it looks like,” I say. “I was only out here because…” Because…what? Because I was meeting someone? Because I really had to talk to her? What can I say?

“Save it, Ms. Williams,” he says. “One of these days, you’re going to have to start taking responsibility for your actions.”

“I know—I do—it’s just—”

Mr. Lenders raises his hand to silence me. “Last year, you said it was my fault for waiting until the playoffs to suspend you,” he says. He has caught his breath, and his voice is steady. “I wonder, when are the results of your actions going to be your fault?”

That’s when it hits me how he found me. Eva. She must have told him. Why else would he walk all the way out to the track? “I’m not saying it’s not my fault, Mr. Lenders. I’m just saying—”

He raises his hand again. “In any case, I won’t make the same mistake twice. We’ll let Principal Collins figure out a suitable punishment here and now. I doubt he’ll be in favor of keeping you on the soccer team given your prior record. I hope you’ll use this time to think about your actions and not the actions of those around you.”