Carlson had given me earlier and headed back to the counseling office after school was out. None of the counselors were in. I left the papers in Mrs. Carlson’s mailbox; a slot with the other teachers slots, built into one of the walls. I didn’t want to go home. I wouldn’t see Brielle, bent as she was on luring Matt. Walking the hall alone, I thought about how uptight Mr. Christian had looked when I’d made those comments about helping him. I wanted to be his TA, absolutely. But I wanted more than that. I could admit that I’d intended innuendo. But I’d meant to shut those girls up, not anger Mr. Christian. Panic caused me to break out in a sweat. What had I done? He’d said he wanted to talk. Now would be just as good a time as any, so I headed to his classroom. The door was ajar and I went in. The room was empty, but I heard noise coming from the closet. Setting my bag on a chair, I straightened my clothes and approached. “Hello?” I called out. He came through the open door.
