'I better get this done before the first bell rings.'
I walked down the hallway toward the main office, leaving Nina to wait for me, because this was something I had to do alone. My purpose was clear, and I wasn't scared, just focused on getting the facts out before the school day officially started.
The main office was a small, busy space, and the woman behind the front desk looked up from a mountain of paperwork with an expression that said she was already having a long day.
"Can I help you?"
"I'd like to see Principal Joseph, please." My voice was even and polite, just like I'd planned.
She gave me a quick up-and-down look. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I don't. But it's important."
She let out a long, tired sigh and picked up her pen. "And what's your name?"
"Kofi Dameire."
Her pen stopped moving, and she looked at me again, her expression shifting from annoyed to curious. "You're the one who ditched class the day before yesterday."
'I have a reputation now.'
