“No fucking clue.”
With a hall pass from Killiam in hand, I leave the computer lab and head for the office. This could be about any number of things but most likely the locker incident from this morning.
As I approach the office, I have a good view directly through the window to the visitor seating area. I spot my parents, Dad in a polished charcoal gray suit and Mom in a deep-red designer dress. If they’ve been called in—had their day interrupted—I know this isn’t going to go well. And it’s total bullshit they finally show up when someone else has been starting crap.
Headmaster Gilmore appears as I push my way through the door. My parents look none too happy to be here and even less happy to see me.
Well, fucking ditto.Didn’t even know they were in town. They sure as hell weren’t at the house when I left this morning.
Looking briefly at me and then the headmaster before her gaze drops down to her hands, Mom huffs out an annoyed breath. She clutches some uber-expensive crocodile-skin Birkin bag on her lap. It supposedly cost more than some people’s homes. Only my mother would think it’s appropriate to walk around on a daily basis with that thing to hold her lipsticks and other crap in.
And Dad’s spending habits are worse. He nods in my general direction without actually meeting my eyes. “Micah.” As if he is annoyed something regarding his son is taking up his precious time, he glances down at his Hublot Big Bang watch. That fucker cost over five million dollars. It’s the same one Beyoncé once bought Jay-Z for his birthday.
The life of a Rose. Picture perfect. Too bad at the center, my entire family is ugly, decaying from the inside out.
I’d trade the big house, the expensive cars—all of it—if these people simply cared.
Headmaster Gilmore clears his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Robertson. So good to see you.” He holds out a hand to shake each of theirs as they stand. “If you’ll come back this way, we’ll be more comfortable in my office.” He aims his gaze at me. “Micah, you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
“Yes, sir.” I trail behind the headmaster and my parents down the hallway to his sumptuous office. It’s lined by bookshelves with a heavy, dark wood desk directly in the center and a rolling leather chair behind it.
Headmaster Gilmore extends an arm toward the seating across from his desk. “Have a seat, please.”
I drop into one of the chairs, leaning back and sprawling my legs out in front of me. My fingertips slide back and forth over my lower lip, choosing to think about the kiss Daphne and I shared in the empty classroom earlier instead of trying to guess what I’ve been summoned for. She’s the kind of down-to-earth person I need in my life. After only a few weeks, I feel like she knows me better than either of the people sitting here with me now. Fuck if that’s not crazy, but it’s the truth.
I’m pretty busy ignoring the conversation in the room until my dad says something that catches my attention.
“Well, that’s unacceptable. Who is this girl causing all these issues? I thought you said when you selected her that she came highly recommended by other staff members.”
Sitting up straight, I run my hand over my jaw. “Wait a sec. Are we talking about Daphne?” Hell to the no.
Headmaster Gilmore eyes me with a stern, unrelenting gaze. “Your parents are concerned that we’ve had three incidents where you’ve come to blows over her. Granted, one was simple destruction of property, which your father has already agreed to pay for.”
“The locker has to be replaced anyway. The graffiti, which I obviously was not responsible for, won’t come all the way off. I don’t understand why I’m in here when you have no idea who painted that on her locker.” I lean forward, jabbing my finger on his desk. “And if you spoke with Coach Roland, you’d know exactly who called Daphne a slut yesterday. It sure as hell wasn’t me. Pretty obvious who messed with her locker, don’t you think?”
Mom moans a little and presses her fingertips to her temple. She’s probably wishing she had a drink. “Goodness, Micah. Language, please.”
Seeing her utter disregard for the actual issue, I erupt. “That’s what Carter called her. And you don’t want to know the rest of the crap he and Shayne said. It was ugly. If you have a problem with me telling it like it is, too bad.” I throw my hands into the air, exasperated.
“Violence is not how we solve things, son.” Dad eyes my swollen, battered knuckles, rolling his eyes.
I level a cold glare at him. “No, you’re right. But considering you’ve never been around to teach me any other way, I did what I had to in defense of an innocent girl. Those guys deserved everything they got. They knew exactly what they were doing.” I suck in some more air before I spit, “I taught myself not to treat women that way.” I shake my head in disbelief. They don’t fucking get it.Either of them. Finally, I mutter under my breath, “Too bad you never learned the same lesson.” I push on the arms of the chair, launching myself from the seat.
“Micah.” My mom implores me with her eyes, her face pink with embarrassment. “Sit back down.”
“Sorry. You can tell me whatever else is said over a family dinner tonight.” I raise a brow. “Sound good? I’ve got to get back to class. Because this conversation? It’s pure bullshit.”
“Micah.” My dad seethes as his brows draw together angrily.
I don’t think I’ve seen my dad this pissed off in a long time. Good. I’m mad too, old man. My eyes flick across the desk to Headmaster Gilmore’s steely gaze. “Sir, do what you need to do, but I won’t apologize for defending Daphne.”
He gives me a curt nod. “Very well. I’ll discuss it with your parents and let you know the plan going forward.”
“Great.” I jut my chin at my parents. “Can’t wait to see you two back at home,” I growl. Striding out of the room, I let the door slam shut behind me.