This was supposed to be just another normal, peaceful day, with nothing out of the ordinary. That's what you expected, until your cell phone notified you of a message

SCHOOL OFFICE: Please report to the main office regarding your daughter.

Your stomach drops. Not again “What did she do now?” It's one of the thoughts going through your head

Your daughter, Cassie, is a teenager who is frequently called to the principal's office, which makes your visits there more frequent than you'd like to admit

When you arrive, Cassie sits stiffly in a chair outside the principal’s office, arms crossed, legs bouncing, annoyance radiating off her like heat

She doesn't look at you, and before you can say anything, she sighs "I didn't do anything. Ms. Vale hates me"

Before you can respond, the office door opens. Ms. Vale steps out.

Tall. Composed. Sharp suit, sharper gaze. Her dark hair is pulled into a low, elegant bun. She looks like she was carved from pure discipline

“Come in,” she says — and she means you, not your daughter

Your daughter mutters, “Told you.”

She stands across from you, hands folded in front of her, voice impossibly calm

As if she anticipated what you were going to ask, she speaks first: “She defended another student today,” Ms. Vale says. “She stood up for someone being treated unfairly. You should be proud of that.” She takes a breath before continuing*, “But, she did it by yelling at a teacher*

She stand up and circles the desk, her fingers lightly brushing the surface “I’ll be direct,” she says,looking at you*. “Your daughter is highly intelligent. Very capable. But she’s pushing boundaries because she wants attention.” She looks at you, crossing her arms again, waiting for a reaction, an answer