He arches a brow. “Veronica Rosen? I know of her. She has an excellent reputation. You wouldn’t mind if we contact her to verify?”
“Contact away,” I say, waving my hand.
I stop breathing as I wait in silence. They exchange a long look, then graze Darla before locking their appraisal on me. Their eyes scour my face, and I remain stoic through the intense stares.
“And what is your occupation, Mr. Campbell?” the principal asks finally.
“That’s not relevant as long as it’s not illegal and he has the means to provide for Naomi,” Darla interjects.
“It’s okay,” I say. “I’m a musician.”
Her gaze narrows. “I see.”
Shit. Here we go. I flash back to the awkward encounter with Dave, the guitar store employee. I get that we’re not big yet, and I’m so tired of having to defend myself. If they just listen and—
“It must run in the family. Naomi seems to have quite an interest in music as well,” the counselor says.
My focus shoots to him in surprise, and he smiles.
“She would probably really enjoy having the opportunity to pursue that,” he explains.
Oh god. Air rushes into my lungs, relief so heavy tears build in my throat again. “Um yeah. Actually we just got her a guitar last weekend. She’s writing a song now and she’s been invited to perform at the Genevieve Fox Young Artist Showcase next month.”
“Really?” They lean forward, suddenly intrigued instead of critical.
I finally take a full breath as I nod. “Genevieve—well, Viv now—is the lead singer in my band and she just invited her this past week.”
“Genevieve Fox? You play with Genevieve Fox?” Principal Leonard’s tone goes up several steps, and I can’t help but think she kind of resembles one of her preteen students.
“Viv Hastings, but yeah, same person,” I say with a smile.
She shakes her head, still in awe. “Naomi mentioned she’s a big fan of hers. I bet she enjoys having a chance to associate with her.”
“Oh believe me. She’s loving every second of it.”
Another silence follows, but this time I can cycle air through my lungs. Finally, the principal rises from behind her desk and extends her hand. “It’s been a pleasure meeting with you, Mr. Campbell. Please keep us up-to-date with the progress of your petition and we will investigate the bullying allegations right away. We have a zero tolerance policy on bullying.”
I return her handshake, my soul soaring someplace high above the muck it’s used to. “Can we bring Naomi back now?” I hear the tremble in my voice. The raw relief.
“Of course,” she says with a smile.
In light of the circumstances, we all think it’s best that Naomi leaves with me this afternoon and takes the weekend to decompress. The principal also says she’ll wait to issue disciplinary measures pending an investigation into the bullying allegations, which could be a mitigating factor in her judgement.
After confirming we’re still on for our appointment this afternoon, Darla heads to her car while Naomi and I slide into mine exhausted and drained. I can’t believe it hasn’t even been a week since all of this began. Just six days ago this girl was a thorn in my side at our first rehearsal. Now? My entire universe has been turned upside down… or right side up?
Sinking into my seat, I angle my head against the headrest toward Naomi and take her hand. She squeezes back, and we stare through the windshield for a solid minute and a half. My brain is a mess. I can only imagine what hers is thinking, but I finally have faith she’ll tell me when she’s ready.
“So chocolate milk, huh?” I ask, breaking the silence.
She glances over sharply and relaxes at my smile. “She deserved it.”
“Officially, please don’t do that again. Unofficially?”
I lift my fist, and she taps it with a grin.
CHAPTER 20
HADLEY
I skim the text from my mom and release an audible grunt. Thank goodness no one’s around to hear it.
The control room was stifling after Julian left, and I’ve spent the last hour or so wandering the building until I finally escaped outside for some fresh air. I’ve perched on the decorative wall where I first met Naomi, swinging my feet like she had done. I get it now. It’s impossible not to when you’re settled into the warm concrete and your feet are dangling several inches off the ground. I wish she was here beside me right now. I study the vacant spot, shuddering at the strange thought. I’m not sure how you can come to care for someone so much in such a short time, but both of them have burrowed into my heart in a way that will leave a forever hole when they’re gone.
I flinch when my phone buzzes again, my gaze dropping to the screen in anticipation, but it’s still not Julian or Naomi. Just another casting call for a career I don’t want. I also ignored the link to the modeling agency and the admissions page for Stanford University. I’m actually not against pursuing a degree, just not now and definitely not for whatever they think I should be studying. Maybe social work?
I know I can’t be Viv’s assistant forever. I’m not naïve like my parents think. I’m fully aware that one day our lives will outgrow our professional relationship and she won’t need me anymore. I’ve thought a lot about what I want to do when that day comes, but nothing ever seemed worthy of replacing the best job in the world. Well, until I met Naomi.
Their tragic situation struck a deep chord within me. I love the idea of being able to help kids like her find homes and hope like she has with Julian. And who knows? There’s no reason I can’t look into classes now while I continue working for Viv.
A car door slams in the distance, and I lift my head to see a man and young girl coming around a vehicle that looks a lot like Julian’s. I hop off the wall and start toward them, my pulse picking up with each step. Soon I’m speed-walking, then practically jogging. Julian’s face lights up when he sees me, sending a strange warmth through me. This wave isn’t lust or embarrassment like usual. This one is calmer, more stable and lasting. It feels like a hug from Viv, like what others describe as the comfort and safety of home.
I slow to a stop when I approach, my smile growing at the image of Naomi leaning into Julian’s side while he rests his arm around her shoulders.
“Playing hooky?” I ask Naomi, who shrugs shyly.
“I got in trouble, and Uncle J had to pick me up.”
“Uh-oh. Did this have anything to do with those mean girls at school?”
A smile grows on her lips when she exchanges a look with Julian. “Maybe.”
“Anyway, she’s going to hang out with us for the rest of the afternoon,” Julian says. “Do you think maybe she could sit with you while we finish up?”
“I’d love that,” I say, tugging Naomi’s sleeve. She smiles and straightens from Julian’s side.
“I was also wondering if maybe she could stay with you this evening while I meet with the lawyer,” he says, one eye squinted as he rubs the back of his neck.
As if I could say no to that image. “Sure. A lawyer?”