Lucía’s heart pounded in her chest. She was aware of the delicate balance she had to maintain; keeping Mariana safe while not escalating the situation prematurely. Rogelio’s demeanor was increasingly aggressive, and Lucía could feel the tension in the air thickening.
“Mr. Rogelio, please,” Lucía said, doing her best to remain composed. “We need to follow procedure. It’s for the safety of all our students. I’m sure you understand.”
Rogelio’s eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Principal Carmen interjected once more. “Mr. Rogelio, school policy mandates that we get confirmation from the parents directly. Let’s sort this out in my office.”
