The Education of Hailey Kendrick - Eileen Cook [47]
“The deterioration of your behavior is very troubling to me, Ms. Kendrick.”
I looked down at my shoes and watched a rivulet of slush start to wind its way to the thick rug in the middle of the room. He took a step closer and put his arm around my shoulder. I felt myself tense up, and I had to fight the urge to pull away.
“I hope you know you can talk with me if you’re going through a difficult time. I know these years as girls grow into young women are challenging.”
I stayed perfectly still. Winston sounded like one of those films they showed us in junior high about menstruation and how we shouldn’t be scared if hair started to grow on our bodies in new places. I made a noncommittal sound.
“I want you to be honest with me. Did you sneak into town to see the boy? The one you were with the night of the incident with the statue?”
“What? No.” I met his stare. “I promise you I was not with the guy from that night.”
Winston sat down and guided me into the chair next to him. “It isn’t uncommon for young girls to become”—he searched for the right word—“enamored of the ‘bad boy.’ Maybe it feels daring or exciting, but you need to be careful.”
Oh, god. Dean Winston was going to start talking about safe sex. “I’m not dating anyone from town,” I said, hoping to cut him off. “I’m not dating anyone now.”
“You’re a very fortunate young lady, and part of that fortune is that you’re being protected from some of the unseemly sides of life. There are people who would want to take advantage of you, to use any relationship for their own gains. Nothing against anyone from town, but they would certainly be aware that you come from a prestigious family.”
“So you think anyone from town would only be seeing me for my money?”
Winston patted me on the knee. “Of course not.” He waited a beat before continuing. “But this can’t be something you’re sure about. People aren’t always open about their motivations. In general I think you’ll find it’s best when people stick with their own kind. Not that I’m advocating that anyone is better than anyone else, but you come from different worlds.”
“Different worlds,” I repeated. “Got it.”
“Normally anyone who skips class is placed on restriction. Now, you’re already on restriction, so that isn’t really an option for us.”
“I understand.” I really hoped Winston wasn’t going to do the thing where he asked me what I felt a reasonable punishment would be.
“If you’ll tell me who else was involved in the earlier incident, then I’m prepared to consider things wrapped up and behind us.”
“I can’t.”
Mr. Winston sighed as if I had caused him a deep grievous harm. “There’s a difference between ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t,’ Ms. Kendrick. Very well. We’re going to continue with your existing punishment. The restriction stands for you and your classmates. You’re going to write a letter of apology to each of your instructors for missing today’s classes and prepare for me a written report on the history of the school. Also, I’m going to require that you meet with the school counselor.”
I nodded. I figured I was going to have to see Ms. Sullivan once I brought up the whole emotional fragility thing. I had zero interest in spending time spilling my guts to the school counselor, but I didn’t see any way out of it.
“All right. I’ve already called Ms. Sullivan, and she’s cleared her schedule to see you.”
He stood, and I let out a deep breath. I wasn’t going to be expelled. There was a tap at the door, and Kelsie stood there.
“I brought over Hailey’s things that she left in the dining hall.” Kelsie held out my books.
“Very well. Don’t dawdle, Ms. Kendrick. Ms. Sullivan will be waiting for you in her office.”
I nodded and followed Kelsie out into the hall. Our footsteps echoed on the wooden floors. We walked past the framed photos of