Margaret Walks Across the High School Stage on a Warm June Morning
My grip tightened on my locket. The unfairness of it felt like a physical weight in my chest. Kayla had worked for four years to earn that spot, studying late into the night beside Olivia at our kitchen table.
“You cannot risk your future, Kayla,” I said. “You have to let this go. Olivia would not want you to lose your college placement for her.”
Kayla pulled her glasses off, wiped them quickly on her sleeve, and pushed them back onto her nose. “It is not fair, Mrs. Miller. He is using my future to keep us all quiet.”
“It does not matter if it is fair,” I said, looking into her young, fierce face. “It is your life. I am telling you now, as Olivia’s mother, you must promise me you will do exactly what he says. Do not mention her name.”
“But we had a plan,” she said, looking down at the pavement.
“Promise me, Kayla,” I said.
“I hear you, Mrs. Miller,” she said, her voice dropping.
“I need your word,” I said.
“I won’t do anything to get my letters revoked,” Kayla said.
