Mrs. Walker wasn't the scariest person James had ever met, but she was up there on most people's lists. In fact, James had seen people stand up straighter at the sound of her heels clicking down the hall. It was because of her reputation that James was not surprised to see people disappear around them, nor was he surprised that the three boys had given up at the sound of her voice.
He cast Mao a brief glance when he felt his gaze upon him, and his lips quirked up at the corners ever so slightly. This situation felt entirely too familiar, facing the music.
"To be fair, it was self-defense," he said, a small smirk forming.