Little Angel

Chapter 14

Lucas had barely stepped foot into his classroom when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He sighed, already having a sinking feeling about what this was. Pulling it out, he saw a message from the principal's office:

"Mr. Harper, we need to speak with you immediately. Please come to my office at your earliest convenience."

Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose.

"At my earliest convenience," he muttered under his breath. That was just a polite way of saying right now unless he wanted them storming his classroom.

He cast a glance at his students, who were already settling in for the day. The twins were in a different grade, and Ella was in the lower school daycare with the babysitter who volunteers there, so at least whatever trouble they were in hadn't taken place here. But that didn't make him feel much better.

He grabbed his coffee, barely taking a sip before heading out the door. This better not be about the twins trying to climb the flagpole again.

The walk to the principal's office was short, but every step was filled with mild irritation. He mentally ran through all the possible reasons he was being summoned:

The twins got into another argument with a teacher.Ella got caught bringing one of her million stuffed animals to daycare again.Noah had somehow gotten involved even though he wasn't a student.

By the time he reached the door, he was prepared for just about anything—except the sight of Principal looking pale and uneasy behind his desk.

Lucas frowned. This wasn't the usual "your kids are menaces" meeting. Anderson was always professional, strict even, but this? The man looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

"Mr. Harper," the principal greeted, standing up briefly before sitting back down, clasping his hands on the desk. "Please, have a seat."

Lucas slid into the chair across from him, eyes narrowing slightly. Something was off.

"Alright," he said, setting his coffee down on the desk with a quiet thud. "What did they do this time?"

Anderson hesitated. Hesitated.

That alone sent alarm bells ringing in Lucas's head.

"It's... not about their behavior," the principal finally said, choosing his words carefully. "This is about you."

Lucas blinked. That was new.

"Me?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Last I checked, I haven't been caught climbing the monkey bars or putting glue in someone's seat."

Anderson didn't laugh. He didn't even crack a smile. He just fidgeted, which only made Lucas more suspicious.

"This is a sensitive matter," the principal started again, clearing his throat. "Given your... background, we thought it best to address this quietly."

Silence.

Lucas's fingers drummed against the armrest of the chair.

"My background?" he echoed, his voice even. "Care to elaborate?"

The principal looked even more uncomfortable.

"A parent came forward with concerns," he said, his gaze flickering toward the closed door as if someone might be eavesdropping. "They claim to have recognized you... or, rather, your name."

Lucas remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

Anderson sighed, rubbing his temple before finally saying it.