The bus pulled up to our destination, a building where students could stay until their parents picked them up. 

There were already a few parents in the parking lot waiting for their kids to hop off. 

“How was school?” One dad asked. He looked middle-aged and had clothes that showed everyone that he was a guy who was born with money. 

Meanwhile, his son—with his suitcase in front of him—stared at his father as if he was an alien. 

“It was…alright,” the boy said. 

It was as if the boy was speaking to a distant relative. 

I had to hold myself back from laughing. 

Jenny must’ve noticed it because she elbowed me in the arm, but she wasn’t angry. She was half-smiling when she said, “You’re evil for wanting to laugh.” 

I told her I was ‘sorry’ and got a sarcastic eye roll. 

“Yeah, Dean, I’m sure you’re sorry,” she said. 

I quietly laughed next to Jenny as I opened the overhead bin and brought both of our suitcase and backpacks down. 

We got off the bus and were about to walk out of the parking lot, and away from the tall grey building. 

“Where are you two going?” Asked a woman who was at the building door. She must’ve been working for the program that partnered with Hugo’s Academy. 

“We were gonna call an Uber and head home,” Jenny explained. 

“Yeah,” I added, “our parents aren't able to pick us up until late at night. Plus, this isn’t the first time we’ve done this.” 

“That’s right. We both got permission from our parents and Mr. Stone to call an Uber,” Jenny said. 

Mr. Stone was the leader of the program. He was a super nice dude, or at least I’m confident that he is. I don’t think I’ve ever talked to the dude for over five minutes. 

Last summer, me and Jenny asked if we could take an Uber home since we had our parent’s permission and he gave us the okay. 

I don’t think our conversation even lasted more than a minute. I think he just wanted us out of his sight. 

But this woman seemed to be the opposite. She glared at me and Jenny, and I just knew that Jenny and that lady were about to get into a bit of a scuffle. 

“Well, I’m not Mr. Stone,” the lady at the door started, “I’m the new president of the program and for your safety I need the two of you to head inside this building if your parents or guardians are not here to pick you up. Do. You. Understand? You can’t just get in a cab because you have your parents ‘permission.’” 

The lady’s voice was so condescending and was even mocking us when we said we had permission from our parents.

I didn't move, and I didn't even try to look at Jenny’s face. I just knew that she was fuming inside. 

But when I finally mustered up the courage and turned towards Jenny, I was in shock. 

Jenny was all smiles. 

It was like she actually agreed and respected the lady. 

Woah, I thought, what happened to the real Jenny? 

She smiled at the lady by the door.

“I understand, miss, and I’m sorry,” Jenny said in the most polite voice I’ve ever heard from her. 

“It’s alright,” the lady said, softening her voice, “Now you and your friend should come inside so that we can have a chat with your parents and have them pick the two of you up.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Jenny said, nodding. 

“What?” I whispered to Jenny. “Are we really going in?” 

I looked at her as if she was crazy. Well, scratch that—she was crazy. 

I didn’t want my mom coming to pick me up. I didn’t want to spend that whole car ride back making awkward small talk. 

God, that would’ve been torture! 

And I knew Jenny didn’t want that with her dad either! 

So I knew something was up when Jenny got a hold of my wrist and told me to go inside with her. 

I just had to play along. 

One step, two steps, three, and then four. 

Jenny held onto my wrist while we walked. It was the only thing I could focus on. 

And I didn’t mean it in a good way. Because man, did she have a strong grip… 

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! 

All I wanted to do was scream in pain, but I didn’t want to seem like a crybaby, so I held it in. 

Leaning against the door, the lady had the entrance wide open, ready for us to come inside. 

Then she turned to look at the hall. 

And that was when Jenny yanked on my wrist and headed in the opposite direction. 

“Whoa!” 

The next thing I knew, I was out of the parking lot and running down the street with my right hand on the handle of my suitcase, my backpack on my shoulder, and my left hand grasping onto Jenny’s.