Page 39 of Resisting the Fall

“I wholeheartedly agree, Deputy Roy.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I guess I’ll be off.” He took a backward step. “I’ll remove the rock from the doorway on my way out.”

“Thank you.” When the retreating footsteps faded and we heard the door close, Principal Stevenson returned his attention to us. “Deputy Roy is correct. If you were charged with trespassing, you’d have a misdemeanor following you around for… the rest of your life. Not that juvenile indiscretions are given as much weight, but you’d certainly have to disclose it on college applications.”

Maven shifted uneasily. Unlike me, that would definitely affect her.

“So, to ensure you learn from this, Maven, you’ll be spending the next three lunches in detention.”

My shoulders relaxed. That was hardly a punishment.

Principal Stevenson’s gaze set on me. “And considering this was your idea, Bennett, you’ll bear the more severe consequence.”

I could feel Maven’s gaze on me, and she released a small huff, but I didn’t look at her. “Yes, sir.”

“I’ll be setting up a meeting with your parents to let them know what has occurred. You’ll also have a three-day in-school suspension, which means…” He paused. “You won’t be playing in the game Friday.”

My jaw slackened and my chest felt heavy, like I’d just taken a shoulder to the sternum.

“But it’s the playoffs,” Maven said. “They need Ben.”

Principal Stevenson gave a sad nod, like he was as disappointed as we both were. “I know.”

“Ben didn’t let me in here,” Maven said. “He’s just taking the blame so I don’t get in trouble. I deserve the suspension. Not him.”

Principal Stevenson’s gaze settled on me, and I knew a part of him wanted me to confirm what she was saying.

But I’d already made my decision. Even if I had to miss the playoff game. “I’ll let Coach know I won’t be playing.”

“I can’t believe you said this was your fault,” Maven hissed when we were in the parking lot and out of earshot of Principal Stevenson. “What if the football team loses the playoffs now?”

I shrugged like it didn’t wreck me to miss the game, then opened my truck door for her. “Then they lose.”

Her mouth parted, but I handed her the violin case, made sure she was clear of the door, and shut it. Honestly, as flattering as Maven’s assumption was, I was confident my not playing wouldn’t change the fate of the game. Was the team going to be upset when they discovered I was benched? Absolutely. Was Coach going to be livid? One hundred ten percent. But every single one of them had likely done something stupid for a girl they liked at some point. Guaranteed.

“What are you going to tell everyone?” she asked the minute I’d opened the driver’s side door.

I climbed inside and started the truck. My pulse increased tenfold having Maven in my cab, just the two of us. “I think I’ll stick with the same story I hinted at to Principal Stevenson.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That you did it because you like me?”

My mouth grew dry. How did you tell someone you’ve known half your life that your feelings for them seemed to be changing? Especially considering that since homecoming, my relationship with Maven had seemed different. Strained somehow. “Why not?”

“Because you don’t. I mean, you like me, but not like that.”

My confession was on the tip of my tongue, but the words refused to go any farther, so I didn’t respond.

She heaved a breath and glanced out the window.

The two of us sat in uncomfortable silence until we passed the turnoff to Leeland’s Pond. Then she finally looked over at me. “You know, I’d feel even worse about you taking the blame if you hadn’t been the one to set off the alarm.”

I lifted a brow. “I did?”

“It might surprise you, but this actually wasn’t my first time sneaking into the auditorium. And I’ve never set off the alarm before.”

“I’m not even a little surprised to hear trespassing is a regular activity for you.”

She laughed. “Last year, before our band concert, Mr. Rost had forgotten his password for turning off the nightly alarm. While he was desperately attempting to get ahold of Principal Stevenson, he used a chair to stop the back door of the auditorium from closing and told us to make sure it stayed open. Apparently, if you prop the door open before the alarm turns on, it won’t send an alert, but if it closes and is opened again…”