That was when Principal William spotted us.
He was standing near the stage, speaking with two teachers. His smile disappeared as soon as he saw the cardboard figure.
“Emma. Come here, please.”
She stopped.
“Good morning, sir.”
“What exactly is that?”
“My brother.”
Several students nearby laughed again.
William’s jaw tightened.
“I’m asking you to take this seriously.”
“I am taking it seriously.”
“This is a formal ceremony. You cannot bring a life-size cardboard cutout into the graduation procession.”
“I’m not trying to disrupt anything.”
“Then put it away.”
Emma looked at him.
“Please, sir. I only want him to walk across the stage with me.”
William glanced toward the audience, where parents were already whispering.
“Absolutely not. Remove it now, or I will have to reconsider whether you can participate in the ceremony.”
I stood up so quickly that my chair scraped against the floor.
“Mr. William, perhaps we could—”
