I sat in class the next day feeling anxious. Hal felt it too, I could tell by the way he shifted restlessly.

I hadn't heard from my dad, and the Headmaster hadn't taunted us. That might be good under normal circumstances, but right now, it felt like they were talking behind my back and coming to a decision.

So it was as much a relief as it was a horror when a security guard knocked on the door. "I need Griffin Flynn and Henry Waymire."

Hal didn't even grumble about his name. He just stood up and looked to me, trying to look determined. But he fidgeted his bag as he slung it over his shoulder and walked alongside me.

We followed the security guard out of the room and through the building. I hated the nervous tension in the air.

"So what's this about?" I said. "Do we get to know why security is pulling us from class?"

"The Headmaster requested you two," he said. "And one other."

"Evan," I said, glancing at Hal. What was going on? Why all three of us?

Sure enough, the guard went to a classroom where I could see Jordan and Evan. Jordan's face paled a little at the sight of us.

"I need Evan Copeland," the guard said.

"That'd be me," Evan said, getting up and grabbing his stuff.

He joined us, and I forced a smile for Jordan before following the security. Evan looked at me curiously.

"What are we in for this time?" he asked.

"No clue. Rent-a-cop here isn't spilling," I said. "Just said Constance wants us."

The guard ignored me and kept walking towards the building Constance's office was in. We followed along, all wondering just what exactly was going on. What could they need the three of us for? If my dad had made his decision, that wouldn't require Hal and Evan to be there. Even if this was about Evan's mom, we didn't need Hal here.

We reached Constance's office and the guard knocked on the door before cracking it open. "Sir, I've brought all three of them."

"Send them in," Constance's voice said.

The guard opened the door and gestured us in. I entered the room and stopped so fast that Hal slammed into me.

"Ow, for fuck's sake, you learned how to walk how many years ago and you still can't get it right?" Hal said in irritation before looking up and also freezing. Evan stopped beside us and we listened to the door shut behind us, trapping us in the room.

Constance sat calmly at his desk, and on the other side, my dad, Hal's dad, and Evan's mom were all seated.

"Well?" Mr. Waymire said, gesturing at the empty chairs beside them. "Come on, Hal. You're the one who was just making fun of Griffin for not being able to walk. Get those legs moving already."

We reluctantly and went and sat together in a small group beside our parents. Constance folded his hands on the desk.

"Mr. Waymire requested a meeting between all of us," he said.

"Which is a waste of time," Mrs. Copeland said.

"If you're sending that kid to another country away from his friends, you're damn well going to hear him out first and look him in the eyes when you make your decision," Mr. Waymire shot back, looking between dad and Mrs. Copeland. "Let's get on with this already. Mr. Constance, your opinion on the matter, though you'll excuse me if I don't put much stock in your bias."

Constance smiled at that. "Certainly, Mr. Waymire. My opinion is that Griffin's history of trouble stems from Henry's. Complaints poured in from teachers and students about Griffin's behavior, and most of it centered around him attempting to shield Henry from consequences. And, of course, the issue where he assaulted a teacher was a result of Henry's encouragement."

"And Evan got his first ever detention while with that boy," Mrs. Copeland said.

"First of all, I asked for Constance's opinion, not yours," Mr. Waymire said. "Second, shut the hell up and let him finish talking."

"Wait," Evan said. "I just want to say that I knew the dorm rules and blatantly ignored them, and Griffin had nothing to do with that. Okay, carry on."

"Let's keep this pleasant," Constance said before Mrs. Copeland could argue. "No need to get everyone riled up. As I was saying, if I pulled up Griffin's file, nearly all his trouble relates back to Henry's behavior in some way. And I'm sure I don't need to bring up all the discussions we've had, Mr. Waymire."

Mr. Waymire snorted. "I'm well aware my son isn't a pleasant student to have. But his grades are high, and he's admitted to me that he tends to stand down more when Griffin is around."

"Griffin was never a troublemaker growing up," dad said, frowning. "A little mischievous, sure, but not a troublemaker."

"And his files from his early years here reflect that. Again, what trouble he did get into as a child was related to Henry," Constance said. "Now, from what I've been told, Evan is the one who initiated the friendship between himself and Griffin, and I don't have much to say on the matter. Evan is right in that he was well aware of the dorm rules and broke them, though I couldn't say if Griffin encouraged it."

"He didn't," Evan said. "In fact, he probably would've kicked my ass out because I tend to be a bed hog. But I'm also pretty stubborn."

"You will watch your language!" Mrs. Copeland said sternly. She turned to the Headmaster. "Evan had a spotless record before now."

"One detention won't affect his reputation or future prospects," Constance said. "However, I am well aware they've been sneaking off campus."

"You...what?" I said.

"I heard my son asking my wife why they weren't telling me you'd broken the rules and left campus without permission," Constance said.

"He got in touch with me about it," dad said. "I asked him to let you go off campus to let off some steam, and he agreed on the condition he could send a student to follow you and make sure you weren't causing trouble."

"Holy shit," I said. "You were spying on us?"

"Yes," Constance said simply. "Well, not me directly, but yes. I had a student following you when you snuck off campus." He looked a little smug at my expression. "Surprise."

"But they weren't causing any trouble!" dad said quickly. "Right? You told me they weren't."

"I told you Griffin was interacting with the Ramesh twins, one of which was known for defacing school property during his time here, and was recently suspected of doing so again," Constance said. "He's acquainted Evan with them as well."

"That's the girl who broke Hal's finger," Mr. Waymire said, scowling.

"Dad! Don't bring that up," Hal said, scowling right back.

"Wonderful. So now you're associating my son with criminals," Mrs. Copeland said in disgust.

"They're good people," Evan said. "You're calling them criminals, and you don't even know their stories."

"They are good people," I said fiercely. "Anika knew I was upset, so she called me last night to calm me down. And Thevan gave me solid advice when I was too upset to think for myself." I looked to my dad. "You met them. You loved Anika."

"She hurt Hal," dad said.

"Because her brother was in a bad place mentally and emotionally, and he lashed out at me, and Hal fought him to protect me. Anika was just trying to keep her brother safe," I said.

"I'm sitting right here," Hal said in annoyance. "Yea, alright, my issue is with Thevan, not Anika. But I don't see what they even have to do with anything. I mean, seriously, you're Evan's mom. I may not be a parent, but I'm pretty sure your job is to guide him, not control him. He makes a friend choice you don't like? If it's not an actual danger to him or his future, suck it up and trust his judgment. For fuck's sake, he's your kid, yea, but he's still his own person. You don't get to control and determine his whole life."

Mr. Waymire beamed a proud smile at Hal as Mrs. Copeland stared at him in disgust. Evan tried to hide a smile.

"He's right," Evan said. "This whole mess is happening because you're a controlling bitch, and Headmaster Constance is pissed at Griffin."

Headmaster Constance spread his hands. "Not true. I allowed him to be friends with my daughter for quite a while. If I had something against him, I wouldn't have allowed him near one of my children."

"You don't anymore," I grumbled. But Hal's words were ringing in my ears. I looked at my dad, and suddenly, I got it.

I knew why Mr. Waymire had called this meeting. He was the type of parent who encouraged Hal and I to figure things out on our own. But when we were struggling, he stepped in to guide us. He was doing that now. Bringing together the main issues of our problems and letting us hash it out on our own.

This was it. This was where I made my stand, as Griffin Flynn. And I knew who I was in that moment. I knew exactly who I was as I looked at Hal and Evan, and thought of last night with the friends I loved so much.

I stood up. "Hal is right, Mrs. Copeland. You don't get to control Evan's life. It's his life to live. And my life is mine to live, dad. I don't want to leave America. I'm not me without my friends. They're a really important part of me. I know we're all supposed to be individuals, but I can't untangle myself from them. People shape who we are, and I think I've got some damn good people in my life. People who love me, who do what they can to cheer me up and make me smile, and who come to help me when I need it. I thought...I thought this place was changing me, that being a Maroon was changing me. Maybe it did. But you know what didn't change? My friends. Last night, we all had dinner together, and I've never been so happy. If you take me away from that, I'm not me anymore. And I like who I am. I'm kind of an asshole, but I'm an asshole who would do anything for his friends."

Evan also stood up, side to side with me. "He's right. He's important to me, mom. The friends I've made here are important to me. And Lena is important to me. I'm not going to be the step on the little people kind of guy that you are. I don't care how that makes you feel. I really don't. Do you know, Griffin never once treated me differently when he knew I was your son?"

Hal stood up. "I don't have a big speech to give because my parents aren't assholes and they've never put me in a tough spot like this, but I want to be dramatic too." He put an arm around me. Evan copied him. I put my arms around both of them, and we huddled together close. We stared at the adults in front of us defiantly.

Constance leaned back a little and looked from us to our parents. "Well, I believe this is between them and you."

Mr. Waymire put a hand on my dad's shoulder. "Caleb, look at him. He's a good kid. And he's happy."

"Evan, stop this," Mrs. Copeland said angrily. "You're acting like-"

"A child? Because I am one. We all are. We're going to screw up and make mistakes. If you care about us, you'll let us do that," Evan said. "Like when I was a kid, mom. You told me not to climb the tree in the backyard, but I did anyways, and I fell and cut my knee. You didn't shun me for not listening to you. You told me I'd learned my lesson and put a bandaid on my knee. That's all you need to do. Clean me up and let me go, lesson learned."

She shut her mouth and just glared, shaking her head a little. I squeezed Evan's shoulder in support. Mrs. Copeland turned her head to face the Headmaster, and her eyes darted to that picture on his desk of his family.

"Alright, Mr. Constance, and what is your opinion on this matter as one parent to another?" Mrs. Copeland demanded. "You said you allowed this boy to befriend your daughter. From what I understand, my son should not be associating with the Maroons here."

"Ah, yes, because people are only Blues or Maroons, right? No personalities to take into account," Evan said.

"I was not asking you, Evan, and you will be quiet," Mrs. Copeland said.

Constance eyed his family photo before turning to Mrs. Copeland. "My oldest son, Adam, was...acquainted with the Ramesh twins I spoke of. When one of them defaced Academy property, my son did not hesitate to turn him in, because it was the right thing to do. My daughter Caroline was friends with Griffin, but she also did not hesitate to call me when he'd allowed one of the Ramesh twins on campus, knowing full well they were not welcome." He gave the lightest shrug. "The Maroons are here because of the issues they have. I trusted my children to make the right call, but had they not, had they begun acting in manners that would've put them in the ranks of the Maroons, I would've intervened." He leaned forward just the slightest. "However, Mrs. Copeland, I cannot tell you how to raise your child."

I raised my eyebrows, as did Evan. It was clearly a dig, driven home with that chilling smile of his. I was surprised Mr. Waymire didn't laugh when I noticed his expression.

Mrs. Copeland looked indignant at the response. But Constance had several points in there, none of which she could evidently refute.

So she switched tactics. "I sent my son here because it is a prestigious place with many good families. I supported your continued construction to make the campus even better. I specifically asked that an eye be kept on him to prevent this from happening."

Constance was unruffled. "Yes, indeed. And while we appreciate the donations you've so generously made, Mrs. Copeland, I must apologize. There are many students at my Academy, and I cannot spend all my time with my eyes on just one of them. The Maroons have presented a handful of troublesome students that captured my attention for the sake of peace and order around here."

And it was then that I realized what was going on. She'd likely threatened to take away the donations to the Academy if this didn't end in her favor.

And Constance was not a man who liked to bow to others.

This could work in our favor. He didn't want to give Mrs. Copeland any pleasure in this, but that meant defending me, to a certain extent. So far, he'd been able to word it as Evan's choice of right and wrong rather than me as a person, but he wasn't outright dismissing me.

Mr. Waymire took it as an opportunity to step in. "Mrs. Copeland, you want the opinion of a parent to a parent? Quit dictating your fuckin' kid. He'll make his own way, and the harder you try to stick him on a narrow path, the harder he'll fight to be off it. And you trying to ruin the lives of a bunch of other kids to try to get yours in line is shitty." He gestured to the three of us, still holding each other. "They're happy together. Leave the Academy to sort out their punishments when they slip up too much, and pick up the slack on your end when they're home. Your kids aren't you; they have their own personalities, their own wants, their own hopes and dreams, and their own mistakes." He glanced at my father. "And that goes for you, too, Caleb. I'm not saying Hal's the best influence in the whole damn world, but I am saying he's been there for your son every single time Griffin has ever needed him, and damned if that doesn't count for something."

"When this happened, Hal had Cara for support and I went to Anika," I said. "And Evan came and found me. And when he didn't know what to say, Thevan stepped in. Then Jordan heard and he came to see if he could help me. Wyatt wanted to help, too. It's not just Hal I don't want to leave, dad," I said, meeting his eyes.

I never had a lot of family. It was mostly just my dad and my grandpa, and even they couldn't be around as much as they would've liked. My friends became my family. I relied on them, grew to define myself in relation to them.

I knew who I was. I was the guy who would go to war to protect Hal. I was the guy who found a nervous, lonely kid like Wyatt and showed him around and took him in as a friend rather than dismiss him because of the age difference. I was the guy who worked to fix the bridge between myself and Thevan after his breakdown rather than burn it because I didn't want him to be alone with his grief and anger. I was the guy who fought with Jordan but was so damned grateful to have him by my side again because his friendship was more important than my pride. I was the guy who relied heavily on Hal, but was ecstatic when he made such good friends with Cara and worked to get to know her too because she was important to him. I was the guy who said fuck it to my own safety for the sake of friendship with Evan.

And I was the guy who fought to find myself because it's what Anika deserved.

"I'm a lot of things, and I am those things because of the friends I have," I said, my voice sure. "If you take me away from those people, those things will hold, but part of me will be empty. I don't want that, dad. Please don't take me away from them."

We all held each other, clinging together in the face of separation. Mr. Waymire leaned back. His job was done. He'd given us the chance to defend ourselves.

Dad stared at me, and he swallowed audibly. "I don't..."

"What I said on the phone? I didn't mean it," I said. "I was just angry. I know you're doing your best. I never held it against you. Never."

Dad gave a slow nod. "I'd like to finish this conversation with Griffin in private, when we're done here."

"I think we're done," Evan said, ignoring his mom. "I'd like to go call an old friend while I'm feeling sentimental, actually."

"Before you all decide to disperse," Constance said. He looked to our parents. "There will be no more disruptions from them or their friends." He turned his attention to us. "Griffin, Henry, I will separate the two of you if you keep causing problems. As for you, Evan, we could always move you to the Maroons if your parents feel it will be best. If not, and if you keep breaking the dorm rules, you will be banned from all dorms except your own."

"He got detention once, you overdramatic ass," Hal said in irritation.

"And how many have you had, Henry?" Constance said, raising an eyebrow.

"I..." Hal spluttered for a moment, then frowned. "That's a good question. I don't know. A lot."

"Christ, my kid," Mr. Waymire said, pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. "God help me, my freaking kid."

Mrs. Copeland looked absolutely furious, but what could she really do? The Headmaster had made it clear he wasn't taking her side in this for the sake of his own dignity. If there was one thing I could say in the guy's favor, it was that he wouldn't be controlled and he didn't play the money game.

"Fine," Mrs. Copeland said, raising her chin a little in defiance. "One more detention, Evan, and you'll go right to the Maroons. That is my compromise."

I pinched Evan's hand as he opened his mouth, and shot him a look. As a Blue who'd been knocked to the Maroons, it wasn't a pleasant transition. The Blues he'd antagonized with our friendship would eat him alive given that chance.

Evan reluctantly nodded and bit back his no doubt sarcastic reply. Constance leaned back, satisfied.

He won, regardless of the outcome. We'd all behave now, which was all he'd really wanted. He couldn't care less if I was shipped off to Ireland, so long as I wasn't in his hair any longer.

"Then I believe we're done here. Any further concerns on the issue, you may contact me at any time," Constance said. He shook each of our parents' hands and stood up to see us out.

The three of us finally, slowly, released each other as we filed out of the office. It didn't feel like a win, not yet. Dad still hadn't told me his decision.

"Griff? Let's go talk," dad said.

I looked at Evan and Hal, who gave me encouraging nods. There was no guarantee how this would end, but it was a conversation I couldn't put off.

I followed my dad away from my friends, with only the desperate hope I'd come back to them.