Kingsley Academy's board room occupied the top floor of Ashcroft Hall, all dark wood and portraits of past headmasters, a long table polished to a mirror shine that Ivy caught her own reflection in more than once as she waited, folder clutched tight in both hands, for the meeting to officially begin.
She'd arrived early with her mother, both of them dressed carefully — Marina in the same good blouse she'd worn to the financial aid interview weeks ago, Ivy in the closest thing she owned to formal, a blazer borrowed from Priya that fit close enough to pass. Coach Orlova arrived a few minutes later, a slim folder of her own tucked under one arm, and gave Ivy's shoulder a brief, steadying squeeze before taking a seat along the side wall reserved for non-board attendees.
Lex and Mikhail arriv
