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The blood drains from Bryce’s face. But Professor Pullman, my future employment depends on my being editor-in-chief! This apparent surge of support for the sports editor is all smoke and mirrors.

The professor scowls. In the words of Lord Acton, ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ In your case, Mr. Myrtle, it seems you have used your power to settle personal grievances.

I will now admit I questioned your competence when the op-ed problems arose in the first place, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt.

But having heard all the staffing shenanigans that have occurred under your leadership, I am appalled at the way Ms. Robson has been treated.

And I haven’t even mentioned the other complaints I’ve received from newspaper staff members concerning your autocratic behaviour.

Bryce sits in shocked silence, his mouth open and his body slack. Having rendered his verdict, Professor Pullman makes a shooing motion with his hand.

You may go now, Mr. Myrtle. And while I acknowledge your right to appeal my decision, I will caution you that in that event, this entire file will become part of your permanent record.

As much as I despise Bryce, I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. His whole life revolves around the Messenger . He literally spends hours each day there, on top of his class schedule. And will Heidi even want to keep dating him once they don’t have the newspaper in common?

Bryce rises shakily to his feet and slowly leaves the room. Once the door closes behind him, Professor Pullman turns to us.

Now, Ms. Nelson, are you prepared to assume the role of editor-in-chief?

I am, she says, with such confidence that I wonder if this was her endgame all along.

He lowers his glasses and peers at her. Fine.

As I understand it, you were scheduled to take the position next year anyway.

We are merely accelerating your promotion.

May I reiterate that I’ve already had more issues this year than in the three previous ones combined?

I look forward to working uninterrupted on my book.

Understood, sir.

And what are your plans around the sports editorship? he asks.

Jaz turns to me. Andy, we would welcome you back, if you still want the position.

What about Joey Vincent? Not that I care about the feelings of the rat who deserted me on day one, but Professor Pullman just said he didn’t want any more controversy.

She shrugs. He was informed when he took the position that it was on a trial basis. Based on the feedback we’ve had, he’ll understand why we need to make a change. She motions towards the letters of support for me.

If I come back, I have one condition, I say.

Professor Pullman’s sigh echoes through the small space. Of course you do, Miss Difficult. He may be feeling sympathy for Bryce after all.

Jaz’s jaw clenches. And what would that be?

I would like C.J. Baker reinstated as the deputy sports editor. She’s been loyal to me, and I want to return the favour.

Fine. Jaz nods and turns to Professor Pullman. Andy and I will work out the details of the transition. Thank you for your guidance on this matter.

Excellent. Glad that we could come to a resolution. I look forward to the smooth running of the Messenger . With those parting words, he sweeps out of the room.

Jaz is all business as we discuss my return and whether I’ll be able to get my reporters back. I don’t mention that each of them, except Jacob, messaged me with sympathetic notes and wishes for my return. Getting the team back together should be easy-peasy.

I plan to write a short announcement on your return based on reader feedback, as well as our commitment to the inclusivity that C.J.

mentioned in her letter. I’ll put that out on Monday, along with examples of the reader feedback.

Joey’s gone to some tournament this weekend, so I’ll wait until he’s back to inform him, Jaz says as we wrap up.

Thank you very much. And don’t worry, I’m not into drama normally.

I’ll insist on that. Then she gives me a crooked little smile. When Bryce made you sports editor, I didn’t think you’d last a month. And that first game story cemented my convictions. But you persevered and succeeded. Congratulations.

I beam at her. I can’t believe that I’m back.

I really appreciate the case you put together on my behalf. Professor Pullman took the file with him, so I’ll never get to read all the nice things that were written.

Jaz, who can apparently read minds, promises to send me copies of the letters of support. Then you can hold them over the heads of your reporters if they complain in the future. At least I won’t have to print them all out for you. She shakes her head at the technological ineptitude of professors.

Thanks again. For everything, I say warmly. Obviously, the wave of public support was the impetus, but Bryce might have succeeded in making it disappear if not for Jaz’s intervention.

She shrugs. While I appreciate your return, please don’t mistake this for favouritism. Bryce was extremely difficult to work with, and his actions were damaging the Messenger . Yours was the most blatant case of mismanagement and therefore the most convincing for my purposes.

Whoosh. The real Jaz has landed, and she’s ruthless. She pins me with a hard stare. We both know that your relationship with Jack Sinclair could lead to a conflict of interest, and I want your guarantee that you will come to me if anything, no matter how mundane, presents itself.

While her words are harsh, her honesty is refreshing. Dealing with someone who can be open with praise and criticism is exactly what I want after all I’ve endured.

Of course. Now that Bryce is gone, I can spend more time at the Messenger office. It will make it easier to run things by you casually.

Fine. But don’t expect any hand-holding.

You’ve already been doing a good job on your own.

She stands to leave, then pauses. You have excellent journalistic instincts.

When Bryce was elected as EIC, he seemed like the right candidate.

But now I’m wondering if his apparent competence was due to your influence.

I’m surprised by this insight. Yes, I helped to brainstorm ideas for the Messenger , but that was a team effort—I didn’t get any credit for his editorial vision.

But I’d forgotten how he used to vent to me first, and we’d figure out solutions together.

Would he have been a better manager if we had stayed together?

You may be right, I say slowly.

You should have been EIC. Why didn’t you run? Did Bryce discourage you?

No, I did consider it. But, as you know, it’s so much work. I like to have time for other activities. I enjoy feeling on top of my schoolwork and extracurriculars, rather than stressed out by too many deadlines.

Jaz snorts. Sure. Fucking hot hockey players is a tough job, but someone has to do it.

And she’s gone before I can even laugh in response.

I lean back in my chair, taking a moment to digest everything that’s happened in the past twenty-four hours.

I should be elated that I’ve been vindicated and got my editor position back.

But I’m not, and that’s because of the Jack-shaped hole in my life.

First, Emily and Dawn are right. Bryce has done a bunch of horrible things to me, and I’ve dealt with every single one. I’m strong enough to withstand turmoil in my life.

Second, was I the key to Bryce’s success? Did he need a tempering force to be a successful editor-in-chief? For all his claims of intellectual superiority, he turned out to be an overly emotional leader.

This revelation sets off other ones—the most important being that my relationship with Jack is part of who I am.

Like my RA work, I offer advice. I enjoy helping other people solve their problems. That doesn’t make me Jack’s bossy mom—I’m his partner.

Yes, I support him, but he supports me too.

He cheers on my accomplishments, he reads everything I write, and he looks after me when I’m down.

It’s simple: all I have to do is allow myself to trust someone who has never let me down. Besides, even if something does go wrong, I’ll survive. Look at the way I’ve handled Bryce.

I haven’t been truly happy since Jack walked out of my room.

But I can be. All I have to do is ask.