A knock on the door interrupts her. We all turn as it opens to reveal Dean Patterson, a balding man in his fifties.
"Sorry for the interruption," he says, stepping inside. "Ms. Alvarez, do you have the paperwork ready?"
"Almost." She pulls out another form, this one printed on official school letterhead. "Scarlett, this is Dean Patterson. He's here to ensure we handle this situation properly."
Dean Patterson nods at me. "Miss Jackson. I understand we have a harassment complaint to address."
"I didn't harass anyone," I say, but my voice sounds weak even to my own ears.
"Nevertheless, we need to take appropriate action." He takes the form from Ms. Alvarez and begins reading. "Given the severity of the allegations and the pattern of behavior described, we're implementing an immediate five-meter restraining order between you and the reporting student."
"A restraining order?" The words explode out of me. "You can't be serious!"
"It's a school-based order," Dean Patterson explains. "It means you must maintain a distance of at least five meters, approximately fifteen feet from the other student at all times while on school property."
"But we're in the same classes! How am I supposed to..."
"You'll be transferred out of any classes you share." Ms. Alvarez pulls up something on her computer. "I'm looking at your schedule now. It appears you and the student share AP History, Chemistry, and lunch period."
"So you're just going to rearrange my entire life because Danny Walter can't handle a little attention?" My voice is rising now, my wolf pushing at my control. "That's insane!"
"Scarlett," Luna warns.
"No! This is ridiculous! I haven't done anything wrong!"
"You transferred into his classes without authorization," Dean Patterson says calmly. "You approached him repeatedly after he asked you to stop. You made statements about dreaming of him that he perceived as threatening. These are not the actions of someone who's done nothing wrong."
"I was trying to help him!" The words burst out raw and desperate. "He's changing, he doesn't understand what's happening to him, and I'm the only one who can explain it!"
The room goes silent.
"Changing how?" Ms. Alvarez asks carefully.
I realize my mistake too late. "I just... I mean, he's stressed. Anyone can see that. I thought if I could just talk to him, help him understand that some things can't be explained by logic..."
"That's enough." Luna's voice cuts through my rambling. "Scarlett, stop talking."
I snap my mouth shut, my heart hammering.
Dean Patterson exchanges a glance with Ms. Alvarez. "Miss Jackson, I'm going to recommend you speak with the school psychologist. These statements about the other student 'changing' and your belief that you're the only one who can help him suggest you might be experiencing some concerning thought patterns."
"I'm not crazy."
"No one said you were." His voice is infuriatingly patient. "But you are exhibiting behavior that concerns us. The restraining order stands. You will maintain five meters of distance from the reporting student at all times. If you violate this order, you will face immediate suspension, possibly expulsion."
"This is insane," I whisper.
Dean Patterson sets the form on the desk in front of me. "You'll need to sign acknowledging receipt of this order."
My hand shakes as I pick up the pen. The words on the page: five meters at all times, no direct contact, no indirect contact through third parties, violation results in immediate disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
I sign my name and shove the paper back across the desk.
"There's one more thing," Ms. Alvarez says. "We need to bring in the other student to ensure they understand the order as well."
"You mean Danny," I say bitterly. "You can just say his name. We all know who we're talking about."
She doesn't confirm or deny it. Instead, she picks up her phone and dials an extension. "Mrs. Henderson, could you please send in the student I spoke with earlier? Thank you."
The wait feels eternal. Luna sits rigid beside me, her anger a palpable force.
Finally, there's a knock on the door.
"Come in," Ms. Alvarez calls.
The door opens, and Danny walks in.
He looks even worse than he did in class. His eyes are red-rimmed, his face pale. When he sees me and Luna sitting there, he stops dead.
"Mr. Walter," Dean Patterson says. "Thank you for joining us. Please, have a seat."
There's only one chair left, positioned directly across from mine. Danny sinks into it without looking at me.
"We've discussed the situation with Miss Jackson and her guardian," Dean Patterson continues. "A five-meter restraining order has been put in place. Do you understand what that means?"
"Yes," Danny says quietly.
"It means Miss Jackson must maintain a distance of at least five meters from you at all times while on school grounds. She will be transferred out of any classes you share. If you feel she's violated this order in any way, you're to report it immediately."
Danny nods, still not looking at me.
"Mr. Walter, I want to be clear that this order is for your protection," Ms. Alvarez adds. "But it's also important that you don't use it to harass Miss Jackson in return. You can't deliberately position yourself closer to her just to get her in trouble. The order works both ways."
"I understand," Danny says.
"Good." Dean Patterson stands. "Then we're done here. Miss Jackson, you're excused. Your new schedule will be available by the end of the day. Mr. Walter, you may return to class."
I stand on shaking legs.
For just a moment, Danny's eyes flick up to meet mine.
What I see there breaks something inside me. Not anger. Not fear. Just... resignation. Like he's already decided I'm something dangerous, something that needs to be kept away.
Luna follows me into the hallway. We make it about ten steps before I have to stop and lean against the wall.
"A restraining order," I whisper. "My mate got a restraining order against me."
"We'll fix this," Luna says, but her voice lacks conviction.
"How? How do we fix this when he thinks I'm trying to hurt him? When the school thinks I'm some kind of stalker witch?" I slide down the wall until I'm sitting on the floor, my knees pulled up to my chest. "The prophecy said we were supposed to save the world together. But we can't even be in the same room."
Luna crouches down beside me, her hand gentle on my hair. "The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes, little wolf. If Danny is your mate, then there's a way through this. We just have to find it."