He stepped closer, then stopped.
“Can I hug you?”
I nodded.
He wrapped his arms around me.
I buried my face against his shoulder and cried.
Not because I wanted him to love me.
Not because I expected him to leave Delaney.
I cried because, for the first time in days, I didn’t feel completely alone.
And neither of us realized how much that moment would change our lives.
Over the next two weeks, the investigation continued.
The district confirmed that no school funds had been used to purchase the materials. The original supplier records matched the donation form, and the disputed invoice was referred for further review.
My principal apologized for the distress the allegations had caused and told me I would be restored to my fundraiser responsibilities once the remaining administrative steps were completed.
The Facebook post remained online for several days.
Delaney refused to retract it.
Instead, she began telling people that the security footage proved nothing.
