She pulls out a packet of papers from inside her blouse and shoves it into my face. It’s a summons to court.
“They took ‘em all, thanks to you. Do you have any idea how much you’ve cost me?”
Of course her only concern is the money she’s lost.
She’s furious, but all I feel is sweet, sweet revenge. A laugh bubbles up and spills out of me.
“She really did it,” I say. “About time. I hope you rot in hell.”
She presses harder. Students are going to be coming through here at any moment. As soon as breakfast opens up, these hallways are going to be filled with watchful eyes. I’d rather they didn’t see me getting harassed by a bridge troll, but at least she can’t get away with much.
“I’ll be rotting in prison if you don’t refute some of these charges. Blackmail? Neglect? Really?”
That’s a genuine surprise, but I’m not going to pretend it isn’t highly satisfying. “Sorry,” I say, “I misspoke. I hope you rot in prison … at least for the same amount of time you made my life hell. Hell will come later, so at least you have that to look forward to.”
I didn’t know Dana told her father about the blackmail last year, and certainly didn’t think he’d try to charge her with it. We haven’t heard anything back in the weeks since she asked him to look into it. I had all but forgotten about it until Ms. Martin threw it in my face just now. That’s not all she’s ready to throw in my face.
“I’ll make sure you get what you deserve for ruining my life, little bitch.” Ms. Martin’s eyes go wild, and for the first time ever, I am completely terrified of her. A person with nothing left to lose is the most dangerous. She holds me hard against the wall with one hand, and she lets go with the other, pulling her fist back far over her shoulder.
“This is for everything you’ve cost me!” she screams at me, and just as her fist comes flying at my face, two strong hands close over her arm and yank her backward so hard that she lands on her ass on the floor.
Ms. Martin isn’t the only one looking up in astonishment. Blair has appeared over her looking more furious than I’ve ever seen him.
“You unbelievable bitch. How dare you come here after what you did to Teddy?” He looms over her, his lithe body posed to strike. His fist is wound up, balled up, poised at his side, and for a second, I’m worried he’s really going to hit her. As satisfying as that might be, I fear we’d never hear the end of it. Blair might not get expelled, but I certainly will be.
“Blair—” He doesn’t hear me. He’s glaring down at me would-be-assailant with murder in his eyes.
“If you ever try to lay a hand on her again, I will personally make sure you never see the light of day again. One way or another.”
Ms. Martin struggles to clamber to her feet and she gives Blair a nasty look. “Don’t you threaten me, you smug little jerk!” She tries to stand up straight, but there’s too much alcohol in her.
“This smug little jerk has the ability to ruin your life in ways you can only imagine,” he says, his voice dangerously low. “Now, get the fuck out.”
He doesn’t give her the opportunity to try and get up again. He grabs her arm tight enough to leave a bruise, and starts dragging her to the front doors. His free hand throws one of them open, then grabbing her with both arms, he throws her out. He literally throws her out.
It’s a sight, watching her tumble over on the concrete steps outside as the glass door slowly shuts behind her. Before it shuts all the way, he has a few parting words.
“Next time I see you here, you’ll hope it’s prison where I send you.”
She raises her head as she starts to get back up outside, and she looks at me with pure, unadulterated hatred. But she doesn’t try to come inside. Security appears down the path, and starts herding her towards the exit. She has to half-crawl until they eventually scoop her up under her armpits and literally drag her the rest of the way down the hill since she can’t seem to do it on her own.
It isn’t until I turn around that I see the small crowd that’s started to gather, catching the end of the drama on their way down to breakfast. Dana pushes her way out of the crowd and runs to my side.
“I heard your name over the intercom, and I came to make sure that you were okay,” she tells me as she stares wide-eyed at Blair.
His face is red and his silvery-white hair is tousled. His green eyes are burning with fury, and I just shake my head. I have never seen him so angry; it’s left me speechless. Almost.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes moving over me. He comes and lightly straightens my blouse where it’s bunched up from her fist gripping it.
“I’m okay.” I tell him.
“Good.” He says quietly, and then turns to walk away. He only gets a few feet before Dana nudges me and gives me a serious eye.
“How long are you going to let this go on?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
She just grabs me by my shoulders and spins me around to face Blair’s disappearing figure. “Put the poor guy out of his misery. I think he’s done enough, don’t you?”