PLAN B

As I waited outside Ms. Sophie's office for Rex, the minutes ticked by with deafening silence. Ten minutes had passed, and not a word had reached my ears from inside. Then, a loud bang shattered the stillness, jolting me from my thoughts.

"I won't be dictated on how to manage my school," Ms. Sophie's voice boomed through the closed door. "Do you believe that Auroral High would have achieved its current stature if I ran it carelessly? It has flourished because I have set and maintained high standards, making it recognized both locally and internationally."

"But Mom, please, just consider it. Try to see things from her perspective," Rex pleaded, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and urgency.