elt in my past life. "The check-in deadline is 8:00 AM sharp. The testing r

der an old oak tree near the parking lot e

at me with wide, concerned eyes. She' d arrived a few minutes

we...?" she began, her

d enough for the closer students to hear.

sound. "She' ll be here any minute,

t possess. The other students mirrored his assurance, their an

time obsessively as I would have befor

ing entry. Documenting everyth

'We know. Stay safe. We ha

ng me first. This time, they knew the potential for trouble, knew the players involved. My

40

utes cr

si' s, finally squealed into t

red carpet, sunglasses perched on her head, a

h for everyone, including me, to hear. "My stupid alarm didn't go

rection of her house. A blatant l

, however, l

okay,

ited f

taking her designer backpack. "See,

at I was still there, observing calmly, not frantic or scolding. Then, her gaz

e the best!"

school building, signaling five minut

tion. They were cuttin

houting, Jessi' s crocodile tears when she was inevitably too late for the main check-

me, I w

unced, rummaging in her oversized tote ba

ightly colored charm bracelets, the k

ute? We all ha

t was new. Or perhaps a detail I' d for

immediately. "A

cooed, eagerly ta

called out, her voice dripping with fals

ive laugh escaping me. "No, thank you,

ying to be nice, Ms. Miller. Y

downer," someone mu

g trinkets with less than five minutes to go. They were sealing their o