Hidden Motives

Headmaster's Office

After Max's surprisingly great breakfast we headed to school. He parked his car near the headmaster's office and insisted on going with me to see what could be done about my school work.

Once I agreed to let him come we headed to the large office surrounded by dozens of purple and red flowers. The women at the front desk greeted us with a smile. "Good morning, how can I help you today?"

"Umm we would like to see the headmaster. I...I have to discuss an important topic with him." I said shyly.

The woman looked at me for a moment and then began typing on her computer. She then looked up and said "Unfortunately the headmaster is busy today. He does not have time for any students schedulings. I can make you an appointment for next week if you would like?"

Max then interrupted "Well this is important and it would be great if we could see him immediately. I'm sure he's sitting in that room sipping coffee as usual. This is important and his "busy work" can wait."

I looked at Max and said "It's fine"

He looked down at me and said "No Zara it's really not. I might have to call Kailyn."

The woman at the desk then quickly looked up. "Kailyn?" As in headmaster's daughter? You could have told me you were her friends. In fact, she's in his office right now. If you would like you could go see her.... and maybe even slide in that important conversation with her father. I can't schedule you or let you in to see him right now, but you are free to go see your friend." The woman at the desk then winked, before going back to her business.

Max smiled at me and said, "Thank god for Kailyn."

Then we walked over to the doors of the headmaster's office. Max gave two hard knocks and the door opened.

Kailyn stood there and seemed sad, but upon seeing us her frown turned into a smile. She looked at me in the eyes and pulled me into a hug. "Hey Zara, I missed seeing you around. I take it your memory's back since you here?"

I nodded and she looked relieved. "That's great! Well, I have to get to class now, but you are welcome to talk to my father if you would like."

"That would be great," I said while grabbing Max's hand. I was feeling nervous and his grip was comforting. Kailyn then walked out of the building as Max and I entered the Headmaster's office.

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Sitting there on a large chair behind a gigantic desk was a man who looked like Kailyn. He was looking down at paperwork and signing it off with his specially made pen. The room was lit by dim lights and the large window behind him had large curtains draped over to block the light. Two chairs sat before the desk on the opposing side of the headmaster.

He looked up from his work and said "Well well. I didn't think I would be seeing you any time Ms. Walsh. You've missed quite a bit of school. Your record is currently one of the worst I've ever seen and I have some bad news for you. I take it that is what you came here to speak to me about?"

"Yes sir...it..it is," I mumbled.

"Have a seat then. Both of you I guess. I would never expect Max Payne to voluntarily come to the headmaster's office to discuss school on any account so you must have him really head over heels Ms. Walsh. Wouldn't you think?"

I could tell the headmaster's words were making Max uncomfortable so I said "Can we just please discuss any possibilities of me making up the work I missed and still graduating? I really just had a lot going on."

Headmaster laughed "In all my years in this position I have never heard such a thing. Here at Oxford, we have committed students who put success before anything. You obviously do not stand by those ideals. Therefore, we have no choice but to release you as a student. You simply don't have enough time to make up your degree after all the time you have missed. You also have affected Oxford's student body average scores with your terrible GPA caused by absences. Overall, I just don't see how you were accepted and I definitely don't see you contributing or continuing here as a student. As a school, we have high standards that are just not met by you. I cannot give you any more chances. I'm sorry Ms. Walsh, but your admission here will be terminated in the upcoming week."

His words cut deep, but I had no comeback. He was right. I had been a terrible student and I knew that my termination meant that I would be forced to go back to the U.S. I would be forced to see my father and let him win. The chase was over and I couldn't run. It was all my fault after all. "I...I understand." I said teary-eyed. I then got up and saw Max's eyes watch me as I headed towards the door.

"Wait. Headmaster are you serious! What makes you think that what happened to her isn't important. You just don't seem to care. If it was Kailyn in this situation or maybe even Scarlett it would be different! But all you care about is your stupid school. We aren't students to you we are just props that you use to maintain this perfect "Oxford" place! Just give Zara a chance! She deserves to go here more than I do."

The headmaster looked up. "And what do you think makes me expect to change my mind. This is MY school. My rules apply here. Zara is gone and if you keep it up so will you. And I know your mother wouldn't have wanted that." he then gave a smirk that raised pure anger on Max's face.

"Don't you dare bring my mother into this" he yelled.

"Mr. Payne I suggest you leave now. Same with you Ms. Walsh. I expect you to try to further your education someplace like a grade school. It seems more fitting."