Page 25 of The Write Place

“Oh, and suggesting I’m only selected for opportunities because of my looks isn’t a low blow?” Everyone is silent at that. I turn to Ken, taking a breath to calm myself. “I don’t have to sit here and listen to this, Ken, and I won’t.”

“No, you do not, Mackenzie. This conversation is over, and we are moving on.” He motions to my chair. “Please.”

I sit, but only because I don’t know what else to do. Ken moves on, but I’m not listening even a little. I’m staring straight ahead, trying to pretend there aren’t a million pairs of eyes surreptitiously on me, and I’m still shaking. I feel my coffee cup being lifted out of my hand, and then I feel the warm reassurance of Daniel’s leg pressing against mine. I look at him as he slides his eyes to me. He looks as if he’s proud to be associated with me. My eyes shift to Jenny, and she looks the same. She sees me notice her, and she tilts her head toward Daniel. “That’s our girl,” she whispers. Daniel smiles without saying anything, but this time, his eyes light up, too.

The absolute second the meeting is over, I bolt out of the library. I know I’m leaving Daniel in the dust again, but I am still too embarrassed to talk to anyone. He probably understands. Either that, or I’ll apologize later. I go to the bathroom and lock myself in one of the stalls, sitting on the seat and pulling my feet up in case someone comes in. My hands are shaking a little from either anger or adrenaline; I’m not exactly sure. I take a deep breath, then hold it, then let it out slowly and hold it. I do this a few more times before I put my right hand in front of me again. I feel much steadier.

Ellie’s ring glints in the harsh bathroom lighting, and I push it to the tip my finger, spinning it around with my thumb. She wasn’t the type to take crap from anyone, and the thought that she would have been proud of me standing up for myself today steadies me. I push the ring back on my finger and leave the bathroom.

Instead of going back to my classroom, I walk to Ken’s office. He is already inside, so I knock lightly and let myself in. I close the door behind me and sink into one of the chairs opposite his desk. He taps his fingers lightly against his desk but says nothing.

“I won’t apologize for the way I reacted,” I say.

“I would never ask you to,” he replies steadily.

“I will apologize for putting you in a difficult situation.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to do that, either. I wasn’t in a difficult situation, Mackenzie. You were, and I quite believe you handled it appropriately.”

“You do?” I sound like a child looking for approval, and I hate myself a little for it.

“I do. In fact, between you and me, I’m proud of you. There was a time when you would have run from attention like that.” He settles himself back into his chair, lowering his chin to look at me over his glasses.

There was also a time I would have completely unraveled and had to take the rest of the day off from attention like that, which I also didn’t do, but I don’t say that.

“I have handled the situation. Martin will not be saying any more about this, and if he does, you are to come to me directly.”

I stand to leave. “Thanks, Ken.” He opens a magazine on his desk. Conversation over.

When I get back to my room, the light is on, but the door is closed, so I assume Daniel is in there already. I take a deep breath and let it out before opening the door. As soon as I’m in the room, Daniel’s eyes find mine. He searches my face, concerned, but he must see that I look relatively normal because his expression softens.

“Teachers are intense,” he says, and I laugh. I’m grateful he lightens the mood so easily.

“Yeah, they can be. Marty is… well, you saw what Marty is. He’s not representative of teachers as a whole, but remember how I told you some teachers stay in this job for the wrong reasons? I think he is probably one of those teachers.”

“He didn’t have to attack you.”

“It’s okay.” I shrug, then I reconsider. “Well, it’s not okay, but I’m okay.”

He regards me for a minute, then swivels in his desk chair to fully face me. “I don’t want to be a burden here. That was never my intention, and I’m truly sorry I’ve caused you such trouble.”

I sigh and walk closer to him. Magnet, I think. “You’re not.” I sink into the student desk closest to him. He raises his eyebrows and wrinkles his forehead. I give him what I hope is a little, reassuring smile. “Really, you’re not. Marty is annoying, but he’s harmless. Honestly,” I look up to the ceiling and grimace, “I’m kind of enjoying having you here.” When I lower my gaze from the ceiling, he’s grinning. “Don’t make my day harder by gloating, please. Just take the compliment.”

“I would never gloat,” he says, mock-offended. I raise my eyebrow at him, and he concedes. “I would gloat, but I won’t today because you said ‘please.’”

I want to be annoyed, but I can’t help but laugh. It’s probably some of my previous adrenaline wearing off.

Daniel’s expression softens. “I should take a page out of your book the next time I’m in a meeting.”

“What do you mean?”

“You weren’t going to let that guy make you feel anything less than your full worth. It was inspirational, if I’m being honest.”

I don’t tell him that this is a relatively new personality development. Instead, I take the opportunity to learn more about him. “Who could ever make you feel less than your full worth? You’re Daniel-freaking-Evans.”

He laughs humorlessly. “When you’re good at what you do, there’s always someone waiting for every chance to cut you down. In your case, he obviously misjudged your insecurities. In my case, I’m often the least educated person in any room I’m in, and there are always people who are very quick to remind me.”

“Why do people care about that?”