After getting out of Mrs. Claire's office, I found Aria and Michael waiting for me in the hall. They were standing near the stairs, clearly anxious to hear the outcome.
"Hey, dude, how did it go? They're failing you, right?" Michael asked, smiling like he was getting fun out of all this. His usual teasing grin was on full display, as if the idea of me being in real trouble entertained him.
"Nah, bro. They actually gave me a deal, and my attendance won't be a problem," I said. My voice was calm and confident as I walked toward them.
"Really? Thank God, Alex. I was really scared. I don't want you to end up in different classes from me," Aria said as she wrapped her arm around mine.
She pressed herself close against my side, her relief obvious in the way she held onto me tightly, as if she had been worrying about it far more than she wanted to admit.
