I wondered whether protecting Emma sometimes meant refusing to let her make a decision that could hurt her.
Then Principal William approached the microphone.
“Next, we have Emma Carter.”
The gym applauded.
Emma stood.
For a moment, I thought she would walk directly toward the stage.
Instead, she turned toward the doors.
My stomach tightened.
She crossed the gym, retrieved Felix, and carried him back toward the microphone.
William saw her coming.
“Emma, stop.”
She continued walking.
“Emma, I told you this was not permitted.”
She stopped a few feet from the stage.
“Please, sir. Just give me thirty seconds.”
“No. We have already discussed this.”
“I know.”
“Then you understand that if you refuse to follow the rules, you may not receive your diploma today.”
A terrible silence spread through the front rows.
I stood again.
This time, I was ready to break my promise. I was ready to tell everyone who Felix was, why Emma was doing this, and how many times she had asked the school for something as simple as a moment of remembrance.
