“It’s about Tuesday.”
“The picture.”
“Yes.”
He waits. This isn’t his first rodeo. It’s not his second. This isn’t his first day dealing with teenagers who lie or who blame other people for their problems. Principal Davis isn’t about to give me a free pass and he’s definitely not going to suggest that I lied to him.
Instead, he waits patiently and allows me to say what I want to say.
“I took it,” I finally say. “And I shared it. I did it to be an asshole to Emilia Riley. She was distraught when she found out the picture had been circulating. As a result, she failed Mr. Wilson’s literature test that day.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Davis asks. He cocks his head and furrows his brow, as though he has no idea why I would possibly give up everything for her.
I’m not exactly known for my honesty.
“I want her to have another chance to take the exam. She knows the material. You know she does. Wilson knows it, too. She deserves another opportunity.”
Principal Davis considers this for a long minute.
“You know that we have a no-tolerance policy for bullying of this nature, Reynolds.”
“I understand.”
“Are you certain this is a confession you want to be making?”
“I’m certain.”
“Can you tell me why?”
Why?
There are a million reasons why.
How many can I give him?
Something changed in me. Emilia stood up to me and showed me that I was so wrong about her. She demonstrated that she’s more than just a girl. She’s more than just a victim. She’s a fighter. She’s brave. She’s wonderful.
Last night, I spent the evening buried inside of her, connecting with her, but it’s not just about the sex. It’s not just about how beautiful she looks when she lets go and comes.
It’s about how wonderful it feels when she finally lets go.
It’s about how wonderful I feel when I’m with her.
“I love her,” I tell him.
I should be embarrassed by this childish confession. I should be ashamed to think that I could even guess what love feels like, but I’m not because it’s her, and it’s me, and it’s us, and I have a feeling that this thing between Emilia and me is only just beginning.
Principal Davis doesn’t laugh, though. He doesn’t say anything at first. He just looks at me carefully. Finally, he puts his hands down.
“Gavin,” he drops the formalities. “I’ve known you a long time, and you’ve never been one to do anything for anyone else. You’re one of the most selfish students I’ve ever seen at this school, and let’s keep this between us, but you’re also one of the smartest. I’ve never really felt like you’ve reached your full potential and I certainly never would have thought you’d manage to win over a girl like Emilia Riley.”
I stay silent, knowing there is a big, huge “but” coming.
“I’m very pleased by your admittance of what happened, but you know this means I’m going to have to punish you.”
I know, and I’m ready.
What I did was truly shitty, and he can’t let it slide. I get that.