The Return

Chapter Eleven

Friday April 14th 2021.

He was by his desk, hands steepled over an open file.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me again," Holly quipped with a smile.

She could feel it. Thrashing in her chest. Her wild heart.

She didn't let herself think of who he was, what he was. Irresponsible, careless...

"Not a problem, I understand the first day jitters." He kept his voice official. "I used to have them all the time..."

She nodded.

"Yup," She squirmed in her seat.

"So, Miss. Steinfeld, how can I help you?" He leaned forward and she resisted the urge to recoil.

Kyle insisted he would accompany her to speak with him. She didn't need him. Not yet.

"You said something about an extra-curricular activity."

He beamed.

He lifted a finger as if telling her to hold that thought. He drew open a drawer and produced a flier. It was also branded with Lincoln Lane's own blood red and royal blue colors. He slipped it across the table. On the front, a girl and a boy grinned over an open book.

She flipped through the thin booklet. The main highlighted activities were the sports teams, the cheerleading team, and the school theater.

She slipped the pamphlet back to him.

"Lincoln Lane has an exciting lineup of activities to pass the time between classes." As if she had any more time on her hands.

He picked up the thin slip.

"I was approached yesterday to join something in particular." If it were possible for the man to look even happier, he did.

"That's great! Even if you had a late start with us, I guarantee you'll have colleges lining up in no time. Was it the cheerleading team? They can be a little forward." He visibly cringed.

"Funny you should mention that, I heard about the loss of Lincoln Lanes lead cheerleader a few years back, my condolences." Her tone was consciously warm with a hint of condensation.

"It was pretty tragic; I was a teacher at the time—" He fell silent. Oops! Gave away a little too much, Big Red. Guess she didn't need to grovel too hard for an invite to Extreme Pork night. "You mentioned being approached," He held her eyes. Cold blues warned her to run for the hills. She was staying put.

"The school's newspaper. I didn't even know the school had a paper which is pretty outdated if you ask me," He was taken aback. He flipped through the pamphlet. "Is everything okay?" She feigned concern.

"Yes, it's...I thought I dissolved it a few months ago." Less than two years in office and he was already stifling public opinion. Right on track with the rich-white-man syndrome that ran strong in his blood. ịkpa ókè agbụrụ. She heard about people like him. Managed to escape while one of them ran the country and returned before his tenure expired.

"Because I was confused why a school of this magnitude would be taking steps backward and printing newspapers when we can embrace the world of technology and start a vlog." She was milking it.

"Yes, I completely understand. Can you give me the name of the student that approached you?"

She nodded wiping down her sweaty palms on her loose-fitting floral sundress.

Okay, she put a little more effort into her outfit. It had nothing to do with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.

"He's waiting outside. I met him on my way in, he's pretty..." She leaned forward. "Persistent."