Seduced Fall ✔️

25. Valuable lessons

Clara Carter

I yawn, oblivious to my surroundings.

"I apologize for taking up your time, Mr. and Mrs. Carter," Kate says as she approaches our Dean's chair. "However, your daughter, Clara, needs to behave before it's too late."

"Before it's late for what?" Dad scoffs, frustrated as hell at having to sit and listen to his daughter's complaints for the zillionth time in three years.

"Before we have her suspended," Kate responds swiftly, glancing over to me as I move uneasily between the Dean and my parents' gaze.

Our Dean, Mr. Wilson, on the other hand, is thoroughly bored and has had enough of this talk and drama. As he watches Kate and my parents argue, his chin rests on his fists on the desk. I got a few judgmental and analyzing looks from him in response to what Kate must have told him about me, but that was it.

My mother joins the conversation and few more dialogues are thrown around the room. 

When a shrieking sound leads from someone stepping in, everyone's head snaps in the direction of the cabin door.

"I apologize for not knocking, but Ms. Ovando, did you call me?

"Yes, Stefan," Kate declares triumphantly. "You're the only one who can tell this girl's parents about the mess she's made on campus over the previous few weeks."

My eyes roll as though on cue at the pathetic and predictable nature of the scenario. Stefan, of course, had to take the fall for Kate's losing hand in the dispute.

I'm more relaxed than I've ever been, knowing that I won't be suspended today because of my academic performance and clean record for any other accusations than being arrogant and disrespectful.

While Stefan enters, Mom and Dad scrutinize him from head to toe as he respectfully nods at them.

He stands next to me, not even having a look at the girl who has brought him here.

My and Stefan's legs neatly hide behind the large rectangular desk, giving me the advantage of purposefully stepping on his foot.

"Ah!" Stefan hisses softly, but no one hears him since my mother has continued the argument by my side, unbothered.

"Please leave if you are here to assist Dean in signing my suspension letter." I stifle a groan, clenching my jaw to keep from voicing anything loud enough for others to hear.

Stefan sighs, his lips near my ear as he pretends to glance at something behind us. Due to his breath striking on my skin, my consciousness returns to its basic functioning and I feel myself drawing away from the conversation.

Strange how I still haven't got used to his goosebump-appearing and knee-weakening habits.

"We both know you'll get in trouble, Ms. Carter. I just have to tell about the fight you had in the locker room and how terribly the guy's nose was injured," he threatens. "If I ask the guy to complain against you, you're in real danger, foxy girl." 

The unintentional brush of his lips on my ear as he looks in front of us causes my breath to get caught in my throat.

"I don't believe my daughter can leak exam papers."

Mom continues to talk which I'm thankful for. All of them are totally unaware of what's going on between Stefan and me.

"Do you think I'll fall your ridiculous threats?" I sneer. "Good try though."

I notice Dad's irritated expression and his hands reaching for his phone to get some office work done rather than listening to them.

"Don't underestimate me, Clara," Stefan mocks, and I tilt my head to him to see his cocky smile.