Chapter 138

During winter break, the school was very quiet, as most students were away. The security guard saw Miranda at the gate and said, "You must be back from college for the holidays. Are you here to visit your old teachers?" With some senior students still in class, he waved her in, adding, "Just keep the noise down so you don't bother the high school classes."

Miranda wasn't there to see teachers, so she walked around the field a couple of times. As she was about to leave, she passed the school's honor display case and saw her own photo. The small caption read: "Miranda: 20xx Valedictorian of Lumberville High; Accepted into Bedford College's Biology Program."

The wind made her eyes water, so she turned her head. Leaves swirled around her feet, and the sky grew darker.

Just as Miranda was about to leave, she heard someone call, "Mr. Sutton!" Looking up, she saw Lionel. She remembered him saying the previous night, while watching TV, that he would be at the school that day to drop off test papers for the seniors. And here he was.

"Mr. Sutton, it's so early! It's Christmas. Aren't you supposed to be with your family?" Judy Harper, a teacher about Lionel's age, greeted him with a smile. Miranda recognized her from the staff quarters, though they didn't live in the same building. Judy taught physics and worked with Lionel; she taught regular classes, while Lionel taught advanced ones. Miranda had never been in Judy's class, but she knew Judy's daughter, Emelie Hoven, as a classmate.

"Mrs. Hoven," Lionel said with a smile, "it's not too busy at home."

"Really? Is your daughter Miranda not home for Christmas?" Judy asked.

Before Lionel could reply, Judy continued, "It's just like her. Since she started college in Elgerson City, she's changed so much. She doesn't even come home to visit her family anymore."

Lionel began to explain, "Actually, Miranda—"

But Judy interrupted, "No need to explain. I get it. It's a shame. Such a bright girl with good grades, and now she's gone off course. Big cities and their temptations—"

Lionel's smile faded. "Who says Miranda's gone off course?"

Judy's face turned red with embarrassment. She hadn't meant to be so blunt, especially in front of Miranda's father. But Lionel's reaction was confusing. She hadn't fabricated the stories; Miranda had left for Elgerson City for college and hadn't returned. She hadn't continued her studies and hadn't explained why she dropped out. Rumors circulated that she'd become involved with a wealthy man, and those rumors seemed convincing.

Judy tried to explain, "Mr. Sutton, I understand how you must feel. It's hard to see a talented daughter go astray. If she had stayed at Bedford College or a local university, it would have been easier to keep track of her. Now she's out there, and it's unfortunate…"