swallow your tears

Hazel was thrown at first. Had Ben and Marco moved? But then she realized--Matt, Hayleigh, Jessa, and Hannah were all in her classes. So it was just Miss Megan that she was missing. Why? Hazel knew one person who would have the answer to that. She had been avoiding William for some time now. But now, she went right up to his office door and knocked. ''Hey. Do you know why Megan Del Rossi is no longer on my roster?''

''She dropped out. I knew the kid was a waste.''

Hazel's eyes narrowed. ''She dropped out. And you let her?''

Shrugging, he stood up. ''I have kids who actually are worth something to be concerned with. Megan's been dead weight for a while now. Just look at her attendance''

Hazel shook her head and turned around to leave. ''I'm late to help out with detention.''

''you mean your self-defense class?'' Hazel froze. How did he know? She was doing so well hiding it! She wasn't going to answer, though. He didn't deserve a response. ''I'm giving you one chance, Hazel. End it. Or you'll be finished here.''

Hazel swallowed. Her back was facing him. He couldn't see the look on her face. Really, he'd be doing her a favor if he fired her. She paused, but then left his office and went straight to her car. The kids in detention wouldn't be getting a lesson in self-defense today. Not with Snyder watching her. Instead, she went to the Del Rossi's house. She was going to teach that child a lesson. She thought she wanted to drop out? Hazel was sure she could change her mind. Getting to the front door, she knocked, looking up when Ben answered. ''Hey. Is Megan here?''

Ben nodded, opened the door a little wider and called out ''Megan! Someone's here to see you!''