Lessons In Butterflies

Chapter 22: The Climb and the Snoop

Mr Caldwells POV:

- Monday - 

Mrs. Palmer stormed into the room, her usual calm demeanor replaced by something sharper—anger. 

She didn't bother with pleasantries, just marched right up to me, her eyes laser-focused on Shella as if she had committed some crime. 

Hell.

What was this about?

She thrust a note into my hand. I glanced at her, then back at the class, who were all watching with varying degrees of curiosity.

 Except Shella—she looked almost... concerned.

I unfolded the note, scanning its contents:

Theo and Leo are causing a disturbance again. They're stuck on the playground—on top of the jungle gym. Tried to get them down, but my clothes... not exactly climbing material.

Great. Just what I needed.

I looked back up at Mrs. Palmer, who still hadn't taken her eyes off Shella. 

She whispered, barely moving her lips, "They're mad. Completely disruptive. You need to deal with them before something happens."

Her voice was clipped, irritation brewing beneath the surface. I tried not to roll my eyes. 

I loved those kids, but sometimes their antics were exhausting.

I turned to the class. "I need to step out for a moment. Stay seated, keep working on the quiz. I'll be back soon."

As I headed toward the door, my gaze flickered over to Shella. Her brows knitted in confusion, and for a split second, I wondered what she was thinking. 

But I didn't have time for that now. 

I needed to deal with Theo and Leo before they got themselves into real trouble.

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Shella's POV:

What had I done wrong? 

Mrs. Palmer had been glaring at me the entire time she was in the room. My stomach flipped as a million thoughts raced through my mind.

 Did Theo and Leo do something? Or—oh god—did she somehow know about yesterday?

But it's not like anything happened yesterday... right?

I turned to Dani, who was doodling on her quiz paper. 

"I'm going to the bathroom," I muttered under my breath. Without waiting for a response, I slipped out of my chair and quietly followed them out of the classroom, keeping a safe distance as I went into full-on spy mode.

They were talking in low voices down the hall, just outside the door. 

I ducked behind the lockers, straining to hear bits of their conversation.

"I can't believe you let them get that high up without supervision," Mr. Caldwell—Elias—was saying. 

His voice was firm, but not angry. He was trying to be reasonable, but there was an edge of frustration.

"I didn't expect them to climb that fast," Mrs. Palmer replied, her voice defensive. "I can't exactly crawl up there in this." She gestured at her pencil skirt and heels.

There was a pause, and then I saw her place a hand on his shoulder. My heart skipped a beat. 

What the hell?