"Here's what's going to happen, Rebecca. You pay the man back, we put this to rest, and nobody hears another word about it."
I sat there, stunned. She wasn't even pretending to ask.
"I never took his money. Why should I be the one paying it back?"
Eight thousand dollars—where was I supposed to scrape that together? I didn't have it. Not even close.
Advisor Chavez's voice shot up, her finger jabbing so close it nearly touched my face.
"Then how do you explain these photos!"
Mr. Pierce slammed his palm on the table and shot to his feet.
"Exactly! She played with my feelings and took my money. I want every cent back! Eight thousand two hundred, not a penny less!"
I clenched my fists until my knuckles went white.
"I didn't do it. Period. If you don't believe me, then request an investigation. Find out whose name is actually on that account—"
Advisor Chavez cut me off hard.
"Check the account? Do you know what a hassle that is? You want the school to go digging through IP logs, pulling camera footage, dragging in the cyber police—all for you?"
"The man can't wait around for that. And the school sure doesn't have time to waste on this."
I didn't get angry. I laughed.