Chapter 4

Ms. Gellar said, "Voiceprint analysis? The school has to report the disciplinary cases next week. I can't wait that long."

"Ms. Gellar—"

She cut me off. "Enough. We have the recording, the photo, and the witnesses. What are you still arguing about?"

Henry added, "Ms. Gellar, she called Donna a bitch at the recruitment fair. She even accused me of abusing my position. Tons of people heard her."

I had never said any of that, but I knew it wouldn't matter now.

Ms. Gellar looked at me with pure contempt. "Drew, I thought you were quiet and well-behaved. I never expected you to be this kind of person.

"You got pregnant and refused to admit it, and now you're trying to shift the blame onto someone else. Is this how your parents raised you?"

Every word felt like a slap.

Ms. Gellar opened a drawer and pulled out a wooden ruler. It had brass edges and looked pretty heavy.

"Drew, hold out your hand."

I stared at the ruler. I couldn’t believe a formal school would allow such arbitrary, unfair corporal punishment.

"Ms. Gellar…"

"Hold out your hand."

Henry stepped forward and pressed down on my shoulders.

Donna said, "Ms. Gellar, maybe we should just let it go… Maybe she just wasn't thinking straight."

The ruler came down. Once. Twice. Ms. Gellar didn't stop until the 20th strike.

My palm was red and swollen.

Ms. Gellar put the ruler away and caught her breath. "Drew, I'm giving you two choices. First, admit what you did and apologize to Donna. Second, I report this to the administration and recommend expulsion."

Donna walked over and tugged Ms. Gellar's sleeve. Her voice was soft, but everyone could hear her. "I'll take her to the hospital. The baby's innocent… It's better if she deals with it sooner."

Mr. Kane wiped away a tear. "Donna, you're too kind."

Ms. Gellar added, "It would be great if she were my daughter. As for you, Drew, if your parents found out you got pregnant at this age, they'd be furious."

Henry patted Donna's shoulder and looked at me. "Drew, look at how great she is. Don't you feel ashamed?"

I looked at Donna.

Donna just needed a target—a girl who would be condemned by the whole school simply for getting pregnant.

But she'd picked the wrong person.

I rose to my feet and pressed my palm against the desk, wincing from the pain. "Ms. Gellar, are you finished?"

Ms. Gellar frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If you're done, then it's my turn to talk. If you want me to admit that I'm pregnant, at least tell me who the father is."

Donna's smile faded.

"'Fine, I'll go to the hospital, but just so we're clear…" I looked at Ms. Gellar. "The doctors will know the truth as soon as they examine me. So whatever happens after that, don't say I didn't warn you."