"Just you wait. When the officers get here, you'll be singing a different tune! Forging a government official's credentials? That's enough to put you away for a long time!"

She turned to the crowd, addressing all two thousand students like a prosecutor delivering closing arguments. "Everyone, take a good look! This is what happens when you try to seduce our top students! Let this be a lesson to anyone else with ideas like that!"

I stood on that stage, the corner of my mouth curled upward, and said nothing.

My silence only made Delia angrier. She stormed up to me, getting right in my face. "You're still smiling? Let's see if you're still smiling after they drag you to the station!"

William stepped closer too, his voice dripping with menace. "Forging a government official's credentials carries a minimum sentence of two to three years. Little girl, your life is over."

I looked at him, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh no, I'm so scared!"

But Delia actually thought I was afraid. Her voice pitched even higher. "What's the matter? Scared now? Too late for that! You were so tough a minute ago, weren't you? Finally realized you're in over your head?"

I nodded. "Sure. Let's wait and see."

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Delia practically jumped with excitement, jabbing her finger toward the school gates as she screamed at me.

"Hear that? The police are here! You're done!"

William straightened his tie, squared his shoulders, and prepared to greet the officers.

A black sedan and three police cruisers rolled through the gates.

Delia pointed at the approaching vehicles and shrieked in my face. "See that? They're all here for you!"

I folded my arms across my chest. The smile on my face never wavered.

The man who stepped out of the black sedan was Bertram Chavez, Director of the City Board of Education.

His expression was thunderous, a storm of barely contained fury rolling off him in waves. Behind him trailed a squad of officers from the city precinct.

Delia pointed at me and screamed at the approaching officers.

"Officers! It's her! This little punk from off the street! She forged a Board of Education ID and snuck into our school to seduce my son! Arrest her!"

Director Chavez didn't even glance at her. He walked straight up to the stage.

He stopped in front of me, looked me over once, and only after confirming I was unharmed did he speak.