Chapter 44

The Principals office

The echo of Addie’s spectacular cafeteria performance had barely died down before the sharp crackle of the school PA system cut through the leftover silence. "Will Miss Addie Miller please report to the main office immediately." A collective "Ooh" rippled through the student body. Addie didn't sweat it. She calmly packed her shimmering Rose Gold Flute back into its velvet-lined Swiss chest, flashed a confident smirk at her stunned friends, and marched down the hallway.When she stepped into Principal Higgins' office, she found the stern, gray-haired man sitting behind his desk, holding a printed page from the school's updated code of conduct. Next to him stood the cafeteria monitor, who was still looking entirely dazed by the sheer volume of the pink metal's resonance."Miss Addie," Principal Higgins began, lowering his spectacles. "While I am fully aware of your impressive remote scholarship with Crestview, the cafeteria is designated for eating, not for impromptu, stadium-level woodwind concerts. You nearly caused a stampede over the tater tot line."Addie chuckled, setting the heavy wooden chest proudly onto his desk. "With all due respect, Principal Higgins, it wasn't just a woodwind concert. I was demonstrating a rare acoustic phenomenon. Only ten percent of the world's elite can even get this gold to vibrate, and the acoustics of our cafeteria are actually perfect for it."Principal Higgins stared at the gleaming, dark polished oak box on his desk, his stern expression softening into a sigh of reluctant admiration. He knew the whole town was rallying behind her success. He slid the conduct sheet away and gave a small nod. "Just keep the elite physics out of the lunchroom from now on, Miss Addie. Save it for the graduation stage."