The call comes at 10:32 a.m., right in the middle of my Victorian Modernism seminar.
My phone vibrates in my bag.
Unknown number. Dorchester area code.
I ignore it.
It rings again.
And again.
Professor Chen pauses mid-sentence and looks at me.
"You should probably take that."
My stomach drops.
I step into the hallway.
“Hello?”
“Is this Isabella Chen?” a tight, professional voice asks.
“Yes.”
“This is Assistant Principal Morales from Dorchester High. We need you to come to the school. It’s about Zara.”
My heart stops.
“What happened?”
“There was an incident. She’s not injured. But she’s in the principal’s office and refusing to speak to anyone but you.”
“I’m on my way.”
Marcus is already calling when I hang up.
“School called you too?”
“Yes.”
“I’m leaving the office now
