Chapter Five
Before I can claim victory in the battle for the library, I have to make sure there’s no red tape in the way.
When I get back to my office, the first thing I do is call the superintendent’s office. She’s available to speak to me right away, and if that isn’t a sign this is meant to work out, I don’t know what is.
“Hello, Brianna,” she answers when the secretary passes me through. She sounds weary, like she’s waiting for me to beg her to reverse the decision about the football field again.
“Good afternoon, Superintendent Watts,” I sing. “Don’t worry, I’m not calling about the library.” Her breath of relief is audible, and I correct my statement. “I mean, I am calling about the library, but it’s not what you think. Do you remember signing the approval for Jordan Wilkerson to represent the school in a challenge run by NASA?” At her affirmative hum, I’m hit with a sudden burst of nerves, but I inhale a deep breath and spit it out. “Well, I’ve decided to join his team.”
I can practically feel her hard stare through the phone as everything on her end goes silent. Her voice is carefully controlled as she asks, “Are you sure that’s a wise choice?”
With Principal Major forcing my hand, it doesn’t matter if it’s a wise choice. It’s the only choice. Though clearly Superintendent Watts thinks it’s a terrible idea. I get where she’s coming from. On a personal level, she’s got the warmest of personalities. She loves her husband and kids and will talk off anyone’s ear about her grandbabies. But when it comes to her duties as superintendent, there’s no playing around. She’s all business, making sure everyone stays in line and in keeping with policies.
You come from a family of greatness , she once said to me. So, it’s given that you will be great too. I want to help you because it’s not only a vice principal I see when I look at you. Her eyes shone the same way my mom’s had after Camille performed her first C-section . I see principal. I see superintendent. I’m not just mentoring you for this role, Brianna. I’m mentoring you for what comes after. You’ve got everything you need to succeed. But what you don’t need is a scandal. Keep out of trouble, and you’ll go places.
When I asked her how she’s managed to climb the ranks and stay out of any controversies, it was simple: draw a harsh line between your personal and professional life.
The point’s been driven home over and over again. Guess why the admin from Corpus was fired. She knew her favorite students were stealing computer parts but didn’t report it. She got too close, too personal, and now she’s out of a job.
Did you hear about the teacher suing her district? She claims some teachers are part of an exclusive clique and terrorize teachers they deem uncool, led by the vice principal, and is suing for emotional distress.
Everyone’s talking about the principal from California who was asked to step down. Her husband showed up during an assembly and started accusing her of cheating in front of everyone.
Actually, that particular principal had been carrying on affairs with the married band director (whose wife taught art at the same school) and the government teacher. It was only a matter of time before the whole situation imploded, which, I guess, goes to prove Superintendent Watts’s point. There need to be certain lines that aren’t crossed. Boundaries that must be maintained.
And I have maintained excellent boundaries all year.
Mostly.
Okay, excellent where Roman isn’t concerned. I mean, it’s not like anything has ever happened between us. A few smiles and appreciative glances do not a scandal make. And since Roman won’t be part of the simulation, there’s really nothing to worry about.
“I’m sure it’s the best choice,” I finally answer her. “You know it’s been my goal all year to do something about our library. Think of how good the school will look if we do well in the simulation, all in the name of our kids and community. Think of how good you would look if your protégé is part of the team.”
I may be laying it on a little thick with that protégé business, but Jeanine’s curious “hmm” tells me she likes the sound of it.
“Tell me more,” she says, and so I do.
Twenty minutes later, I’m practically skipping down the halls. That’s what feeling like you’re ten times lighter will do for a woman.
I make a right turn on my way to Principal Major’s office when I almost collide with someone. I come to a halt, already prepared to tell whatever teacher or admin to relax and that I’m not a student, until I get a good look and my stomach does a flip. It’s Roman. He didn’t dress up for spirit day. He’s in dark-wash jeans and a gray long-sleeve Henley shirt. He looks good.
“Oh, it’s you,” I say. My voice comes out involuntarily high, and I clear my throat. “I mean, hi, Mr. Major. Er, Science Teacher Major… Mr. Science Teacher Major.”
Roman’s brows crease as I test out saying his name formally. It sounds and feels wrong, but last week proved how allowing myself to become too familiar with him only served to hurt and embarrass me. The first step in getting over him is distancing myself. No more mornings spent waiting for him to make an appearance in the teachers’ lounge and no more using his first name when speaking to him.
But…
“Vice Principal Rogers.” He nods in acknowledgment, though if I’m not mistaken, not only does he look taken aback by me calling him mister, he also looks a little disappointed. “I wasn’t sure you were you at first,” he says, not moving on. “I could have sworn I saw you like five times today. I was convinced I’d fallen into the Brianna-Verse.”
I haven’t heard Roman make a joke all year. Now, with him not only saying my name but bringing the Spider-Verse into it, I gnaw on my cheeks to keep from grinning like a fool. This is exactly why I need distance from him. My reaction to him is too quick.
I take another step to the side so I can get past him.
“I, uh,” he continues before I can get too far. “I haven’t seen you in the teachers’ lounge in a while. Or the science wing.”
Oh no, not my heart doing cartwheels while in my mind I’m doing a little jig from TikTok, full of body rolls and poppin’ hips.
Nope. Nooo. Bad Brianna. If Roman is the type of playboy who only likes when a girl chases after him, then offers up just enough crumbs to keep her interested when she pulls back…well, my name ain’t Gretel, and I’m not about to feed into his ego to let him know it means something that he’s noticed my absence.
“I’ve been busy trying to close everything out for the end of the year,” I say.
He nods. “Yeah, of course.”
“Is there anything else you need?” I ask when he continues to stand there.
“Yes,” he answers right away. “I wanted to apologize about the other week. Vice Principal Rogers. Brianna, I’m sorry.”
On second thought, maybe I am as foolish as Hansel and Gretel taking off into the woods, because my name on Roman’s lips could lure me into the deepest of forests with the desire to do the wickedest of things.
“I should have gotten any news from you firsthand before believing my dad and talking to anyone else about it. I…”
He stops midsentence as my back goes straight and I hold a hand out, palm facing him. That’s right, Roman’s dad. Roman’s presence is so alluring, so distracting, that I forgot why I was down here.
“It’s okay.” I relent just a little. It feels unnatural to be so rigid with Roman. “It means a lot to me that you would apologize after realizing your mistake. And I believe you when you say it won’t happen again.” Roman dips his head in agreement. “Perfect. Well, I’ll let you go, then. If I don’t talk to you before break starts”—which I won’t; it’s going to take some time before this crush is out of my system if one conversation with him has the ability to turn my insides to goo—“have a great summer.”
This time I don’t give him room to hold me up any longer. I step around and continue on, past the attendance window, through the administrators’ half-empty desks, and right to Principal Major’s door. I knock two times and open it without waiting for an answer.
Principal Major snaps his head up from his computer. “Miss Rogers? What are you—”
I hold up a hand, just like I did with Roman. Principal Major looks both shocked and outraged, and it’s like I’ve unlocked a new superpower. Hell yeah. I’ll need to put my palm to good use more often.
“I have something to say,” I announce. “All year you’ve done nothing but try to make my job miserable, even going against what you must know will benefit students. All because I took the VP spot you want your precious boy to have.”
“If you wanted to resign, an email would have sufficed. No need to burn bridges while you’re at it. But if this is how you want to go out, by all means, then, continue.” He leans back in his seat and regards me with cool eyes.
I smile sweetly, ensuring my dimples are on full display. “Oh, I’m not resigning. I wanted to let you know I’m not going anywhere. And you were right when you called me stubborn, because I haven’t given up on the library either. I found another way to get the money, and I estimate by this time next year, Juanita Craft Middle School will be known for its new state-of-the-art library.”
I turn around and stride out of his office with my head held high, leaving the door open on his confused and annoyed face. He doesn’t know my plans yet, but by the time he’s got it all figured out, it will be too late for him to stop me.
I’m still operating off the high of Principal Major’s outrage when I get back to my office. I collapse into my chair and smile up at the ceiling, not remotely bothered that the panels above are in obvious need of replacement. I open the drawer with my cell so I can send Camille a play-by-play of what just happened. But when I turn the screen on, I see there are four missed calls and five text messages from her, each reading more and more concerned.
Camille: Old Man Willie? Girl, what are you thinking of doing?
Camille: Call me so we can talk about whatever it is you’re considering.
Camille: Hello? Where are you??
Camille: Did you really send me that message then disappear?
The phone buzzes in my hand, and one last message pops up.
Camille: What have you gotten yourself into this time?
I stare into the younger spitting image of my dad’s face through the screen. Dark brown skin with contrasting light brown eyes. These days, there’s a little gray at his temples, which I’m sure he’d say makes him look all the wiser. Rather than get back to Camille (at least right away—I will eventually call her before she decides to show up at my school), I reached out to my older brother, Vincent.
His eyes glitter with excitement and his mouth twitches. “I have to say, my little sister joining a Mars simulation was not on my bingo card for this year.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t even play bingo.”
“You don’t know my life. I do lots of things.” I continue staring at Vincent and he smiles. “Fine. I don’t play bingo. Yet. So, did you tell Mom about the simulation?”
“No. I’ll just text her later.”
“No, you should call her. And let me be on the phone when you do. Better yet, let’s do one big family conference call.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why? It’s not that big of a deal.”
“After all the fuss she made about me going to the moon, you better believe she’ll think it’s a big deal. I, for one, can’t wait to see you take the heat instead.”
I shake my head. At least Mom had good reason to worry about Vincent. The daredevil among us did what some only dream of by becoming an astronaut and then making history by going to the moon for six months. There was actual cause for her to be legitimately worried about him. But worried about me? I’m still going to be in Texas. As large as the state is, I can’t imagine she’d think it’s as big of a deal.
“It’s really not that serious,” I say, and there’s no way he can convince me otherwise. But before he can try, I go on. “So, about this simulation. What should I expect? Nothing but jars of mushy baby food? Alien invasions?”
Vincent looks up to the ceiling and squints as he thinks. “Before my mission, we gave them a list of our favorite foods and they were able to get it manufactured into the flavors we like. It may not look appetizing, but once you get over the mush texture, it’s not bad. I tore down on the hamburger flavor after a while.”
I push away my burger from the cafeteria, which wasn’t even that great to begin with. “What? I was just playing. Vince, please tell me they aren’t about to send us out there with jars of baby food.”
“Jars?” He shakes his head and I’m almost relieved. “That would be too heavy for transport. It’s all about being authentic and mimicking exactly what life would be like on Mars. It’s in pouches, and you slurp the food. Mimi?” He looks to his fiancée off-camera. “How long did it take me to get used to chewing food again so I could digest it properly? About two weeks?”
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” comes her distant voice.
I slide a hand over my face and sigh. “This is honestly going to be way more challenging than I thought.”
I thought they’d be sending us with the kind of dehydrated foods I use for camping or taking long hikes. God, this better work out, and we’d better win that money for the library, or I swear I’ll…
I hear what sounds like Vincent sneezing, and when I look up, I see he’s trying to hold in a laugh. I sigh and shake my head. One would think after having thirty years of experience with him trying to play around, I’d be able to pick up on when he’s being unserious. Maybe I would have if Amerie hadn’t cosigned on his joke.
“You two just can’t help it, can you?”
Amerie comes into the frame, popping her head on Vincent’s shoulder. “Sorry, Brianna! I couldn’t resist.”
I give her a mock glare. It’s hard to be fully annoyed when they’re so cute together. Vincent managed to find the one person to go along with his absurd sense of humor.
“The simulation, Vince. What can you tell me?”
“Okay, okay.” He kisses Amerie’s hand before she pulls away, then focuses on me. “I have some friends who have either facilitated or participated in the simulations. It’s not that hard physically, but it is mentally. You need to go into the experience prepared to be away from home in every sense of the word. You’ll be isolated. You’ll have days when you’re so bored that you wouldn’t mind watching water boil or paint dry. Speaking of, you should take some art supplies or some good books. As far as the team goes, there will be days when everyone gets along and days when everyone will be at each other’s throats, insulting the way they cough or breathe. But when you look back, you’ll see them as family. That’s just how it goes.”
I can’t help but frown, hearing Superintendent Watts’s warnings in my head about scandals and career trajectories.
“What’s that look for?” Vincent asks.
I shrug. “It’s just the part you said about teammates becoming family. I mean, I’m only going to be there for six weeks. I like the teachers I work with and everything, but I’m not going there with the intention of becoming besties with anyone.”
Now he’s the one giving me a look, and I don’t like it. Like he’s thinking, Poor little Brianna. Afraid to go up and make new friends .
“What?” I say. “All the people you went on your very real mission with were astronauts, so y’all had no choice but to become family. I’m a vice principal doing this fake simulation with my teachers. Our stakes are not the same. I’ll still need to maintain proper boundaries so when we return to school it’s not weird.”
“I see where you’re coming from,” he says. “I really do. But I’ve learned, pretty recently, that there needs to be balance. It can’t be all work all the time. We’re humans and we need those connections. If you ask me, it’s actually the best part of being human. Camille has told me that since starting your new position, you’ve been pretty isolated. None of us want that for you, Bri.”
Wow, now I have to worry about Camille and Vincent talking about me behind my back. Like I’m some sad hermit who does nothing but work and then comes home to my dog. Which, granted, I do. But I’m not the only adult who’s unfulfilled and still trying to find their way to happiness.
I study Vincent through the screen. He looks happy. Like, truly happy. I can’t help but marvel at the fact that not long ago, it would have been so hard to get him to find enough time to sit down and have a drawn-out conversation with me. He would have been putting way more hours into his work and training than was needed. If ever there were a poster child for work-life imbalance, Vincent was it. But that was before he met Amerie, his then–fake girlfriend turned real fiancée.
If I could be like Vincent, I would. But he’s always known what he wants and has never had to deal with the likes of someone like Principal Major trying to hinder him. If I go into the simulation with the idea of cozying up with the teachers, I’m worried it will affect how the staff at school and Superintendent Watts see me and in turn derail my career.
Vincent looks past the screen again and smiles softly at Amerie.
Then again, letting people close does seem to have paid off for Vincent. Maybe I’ll think about taking his advice.
Not that I’m going to tell him that.