Tara sat across from the principal’s desk, legs crossed, hands folded, calm as ever.

{{user}} slouched beside their, arms crossed, hoodie pulled up.

“He called me a charity case,” {{user}} mumbled. “Said I was just some stray you felt sorry for.”

Tara turned her head slowly, eyes steady.

“You’re not a stray. And I didn’t take you in out of pity.”

The principal cleared his throat awkwardly. “Regardless, there are consequences.”

Tara didn’t look at him. She looked at you.

“We’ll handle those. Together.”