Chapter 2

My first instinct was to refuse and walk out. Then I saw two large security guards standing near the private-room entrance, and I had no idea what would happen if I simply tried to leave. The word police scared me more than I wanted to admit.

After hesitating, I reached into the deepest pocket of my backpack and took out my bank card. My scholarship money was sitting in that account, and I had been saving it to buy Grandma a hearing aid.

For four years she had been hauling cans and scrap metal to the recycling yard back home to help pay for my education, and her hearing had gotten so bad that every conversation turned into shouting. For the last year I had saved every dollar I could, so that before graduation I could take her to the best hearing clinic in the city and buy her a proper device.

After paying the restaurant, I kept the receipt. Anger burned in my chest all night.

The next morning, eyes swollen from lack of sleep, I went to Ms. Grant's office. She was sorting through a stack of nomination forms for the Statewide Outstanding Adviser Award, and she barely looked up when I came in.

"Mia? What is it?"

I set the $800 receipt on her desk and forced my voice to stay steady.

"Ms. Grant, I need to report what happened at the graduation dinner last night.

"Tessa and the others changed the time without telling me, so I missed the meal.

"Then, on their way out, they made me pay the remaining $800 balance.

"I'd like the class fund to reimburse me."

Ms. Grant stopped moving. She adjusted her glasses and frowned at the receipt.

"Mia, Tessa mentioned something about this after I left."

Her voice sounded kind, but there was no real concern in it.

"She said no one could reach you, so everyone assumed you were fine with the arrangement.

"You're all graduating soon, and sometimes it's better not to turn a small issue into a major conflict.

"And since you paid the bill, that does suggest you accepted it at the time."

She smiled faintly.

"Besides, you receive scholarships every year. Your classmates support you too, don't they?

"Without that support, you might not have gotten those awards."

I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing.

"I paid because the restaurant wouldn't let me leave.

"And if I covered the balance, where did the class fund go? Someone has to account for it."

Her expression hardened. She clearly did not want anyone examining the class finances, and a complaint about missing money this close to the end of the semester could damage her nomination.

"Mia, I'm up for the statewide adviser award this term, and I don't want the department dealing with unnecessary messes at graduation."

She set down her pen. "Listen to me. Treat the money as your contribution to the class and let this go."

Then her voice lowered.

"You've already accepted a very good job offer, and your graduation conduct clearance still comes through my office.

"As long as nothing unexpected happens, I can make sure everything goes smoothly."