It just so happened to be Principal Stein.

“You.” She pointed at Spencer. “Davies. My office now.”

We followed her down the hall walking in silence. Spencer was on my left side and her hand kept brushing against mine. I didn’t know if she meant to or not but I ended up tucking it away in my pocket.

We both identically sat down with a pained expression on our face.

“Skipping already Davies?” She gave me the disappointed look that a principal was supposed to but her eyes gave her away. She was sad that she caught me with a girl.

“Look.” I scratched my head thinking about what I wanted to say. “Spencer had no intention of skipping Greg’s class. I pulled her in there to talk. We just lost track of time.”

The blonde looked at me with a skeptical expression.

“What exactly were you talking about?”

“I’m having trouble with Aiden and Madison is being annoying. Spencer is an unbiased third party.”

“Fine.” She looked at Spencer. “Get to class Spencer and I don’t want to see you in here again.” Spencer stood up and walked out without a glance my way.

“Now how’d you get hurt Ashley?”

I had to be careful about what I said. “Messing around with Aiden. He was trying to show me a trick.”

Ms. Stein stood up and moved over to stand in front of me. I leaned back in my chair as she bent down to put her lips to my ear. “Just because I can’t touch you doesn’t mean I like the thought of some other delinquent with her hands on you.” My jaw tightened.

The last thing I wanted was Spencer catching shit for my indiscretions.

“It’s nothing Stein. She’s just my friend.” I wouldn’t look her in the eye so she eventually moved back and allowed me to stand then leave.

~~

The rest of the day passed without incident, for me at least. Spencer seemed to be avoiding me but I can’t say it was without reason. Principal Stein was strict and never once let her students walk over her. It just so happened my indiscretions would or could get in the way of her graduating.

The final bell rang and I hobbled out of class in search of Spencer. I wanted to explain and reassure her I would do everything in my power to keep Stein at bay.