Page 18 of Antagonist

The corners of his lips curl up as if this is a challenge he’ll have no problem completing, but he doesn’t move.

Harrison and I are still locked in this magnetic stare-off when the sound of click-clacking heels followed by strong, expensive perfume breaks our connection.

“Mr. Bradford. A word.”

Ellis straightens in his chair as the mayor’s daughter-in-law barges into the classroom, demanding attention.

Of course, she would ignore the other two adults and children in the room. Karina Brunel has always been one for theatrics, but since she married the mayor’s son, she’s taken it to a whole new level of entitlement.

“Mrs. Brunel, how may I help?” Ellis asks in the same welcoming tone he addressed me with earlier. What’s missing is the sincerity in his voice.

“Mr. Bradford, it has come to my attention that you have taken over organizing the Spring Fair from Principal Lewis.”

“You heard correctly,” Ellis says.

Karina moves her expensive handbag from one arm to the other. “Since you’re new to the school, you may not be aware that I’ve led the organizing team for the fair for the last five years. I’d be happy to work with you and guide you along the way.”

I glance at Harrison, who’s frowning at Karina.

Good to know there’s one thing we easily agree on.

“Thank you for your kind offer, Mrs. Brunel. I am currently putting together the team, and I’ll let you know if I can use your expertise.”

The double-take from Karina would be comical if I couldn’t see her immediate change in stance.

“I’m not sure you understand, Mr. Bradford—”

“Karen,” I say, interrupting whatever she’s about to say. She looks my way, and her scowl makes me want to laugh. “We’re running the fair this year. Like Ellis said, we’ll get back to you.”

Her nostrils flare. “It’s Karina,” she points out, “and what do you meanwe’rerunning the fair?Irun the fair. I’ve done it for the past five years.” She finally seems to notice Harrison only a few feet away.

She assesses him in the same way she did me, but this time, her whole body language changes. The hairs on the back of my neck raise when I see her smile at Harrison.

“Nowyouseem like someone who’s going to understand the situation.”

Harrison looks at me, but I’m so angry at Karina that I don’t know what to say or do. If he wants to work with her, he can. I don’t want him to, but it’s not my call to make.

“I’m not sure I follow,” Harrison says.

Karina moves to stand in front of Harrison. “I’m Karina Brunel, president of the PTO and head of the After School Club and the Mothers and Daughters Club. I don’t think I’ve seen you at the school before.”

Harrison looks like he’d rather be anywhere else than speaking to Karina. I want to intervene, but something stops me. I know it’s an immature test to see how he reacts to her, but I need to know.

“I’m Mr. Davis,” he says, leaving enough of a pause that I could kiss him for withholding his personal information from her.

Karina narrows her heavily made-up eyes but doesn’t push Harrison. She opens the clutch on her handbag and takes out a business card.

“Here’s my number, Mr. Davis. Call me.”

Without sparing a glance at Ellis or me, Karina leaves the room.

Her perfume lingers like a bad smell.

“I’m not sure what that was,” Harrison says, breaking the silence left behind by Karina’s departure.

Ellis lets out an audible sigh. “Thatis the reason I want you two to work on the Spring Fair. Let’s just say inclusion isn’t part of her vocabulary. Nor is kindness—” He stops himself, resting his elbows on the desk. “I’m sorry, that was really unprofessional of me.”

“Your words are safe with us, Ellis,” I say, including Harrison in the safety bubble. The man may be grade-A frustrating, but I can tell he won’t break Ellis’s trust. “Karina was a few years ahead of me in high school. The spoiled, bratty girl has simply grown into the vacuous, entitled social climber she is today.”