Better With Butter by Victoria Piontek

Author:Victoria Piontek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Despite a gentle breeze, my skin burns like hot fire as I watch Principal Huxx approach, her body rigid with stern authority.

Addie looks from me to Principal Huxx, and her face scrunches with confusion. “She looks mad. Is this about Butter? I thought Mr. J gave you permission?”

I pick Butter up and hug her to my chest. “It was more implied than actual,” I whisper, my voice shaky with dread.

Addie, Mercedes, and Theo exchange glances that say Holy smokes and What was she thinking?

My stomach churns, and I’m furious with myself for being foolish enough to think I could get away with bending the rules. I normally never break them or take risks because I can’t bear the sinking distress and heart-pounding panic that’s currently swallowing me up like quicksand.

Principal Huxx stops in front of us and wields her power. “You three, get to class. Marvel, follow me.”

Addie, Theo, and Mercedes scatter with departing looks of pity.

Principal Huxx turns on her heel and heads toward the office. I don’t move quickly enough, so she twists around. “Now, Marvel.”

I jump up and follow her, my heart in my throat and my mind churning with all kinds of terrible fates—a huge fine I’ll have to work off by spending extra time at school, automatic failure of sixth grade, or some other terrible thing Principal Huxx conjures up. I also vaguely wonder if I could go to jail for some reason. But the worst thought of all is of losing Butter because I think it might happen. Mom told me not to get attached.

I blink tears from my eyes and swallow down the rising nausea.

When we reach the office, Principal Huxx motions for me to go ahead of her but doesn’t say anything. I almost wish she would. Her stony silence is way scarier than a freak-out.

Once we’re inside, Principal Huxx says, “Enlighten me. Why did you bring a goat to school?”

I give Principal Huxx Butter’s certificate and Mr. J’s note with a shaking hand.

She inspects the documents while I bite my bottom lip waiting for her verdict. I silently repeat the phrase protected by federal law like a mantra, hoping it will save us.

Principal Huxx shakes her head, exasperated. “I must say, I’m at a complete loss how to handle this one. In all my years as a principal, no one has ever brought a goat to school before. Since Mr. J wrote the note, let’s call him. Maybe he can explain it.”

I gulp and buckle under the weight of my deception. I got Mr. J to write the note for a hypothetical support animal. Not a very real goat. “Do you have to call him? You have his note. I mean, I wouldn’t want to bother him if he’s busy.” I shift Butter. She’s getting heavy, but I’m afraid to set her down. I want to keep her as close to me as possible.

Principal Huxx squints at me like she’s starting to understand what transpired. “I think we’d better. Don’t you?” She picks up the phone and dials.

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