CONSUME

[13] secret is safe

***

kameron springfield

"Axel? Kameron?" Mrs. Davis, the school principal called out. Sitting up in my chair, I looked to my right where Axel was sat down low and comfortably. "I'll see you both in my office now. Thank you for your patience."

I smiled neatly, standing up as Axel rustled next to me, and followed me into the principal's office. She closed the door behind her and sat down at her long wooden desk that was painted a deep midnight black. Axel and I sat in the cushiony chairs across from hers. 

We're here because of the quarterly visits that she's scheduled for the two of us. Thanks to Anna Conynghim who insisted her son get one-on-one attention (and of course it helps that the family has given a huge donation to the school's athletic program), we get to have a meeting with the principal every few months to make sure that all of the club's activities are going the way that they should. 

It seems excessive, definitely. 

The only reason I agreed to this is because during this time, I get my volunteer hour signature from Mrs. Davis. I reached for my bag, unzipping it and getting the papers out of my folder. 

"Here you go!" I said kindly, swiftly placing the document onto her desk. She glanced at them and nodded approvingly, then addressed the boy beside me. 

"How is it going, Axel? Keeping up with things well?"

I clenched my jaw, irritated that this had to be all about him, but I sucked it up and tried to set my own qualms against him aside for the sake of cordiality. Axel pursed his lips and nodded in silence, studying Mrs. Davis' face. She squinted at him, looking at him in a suspicious way. "Okay, then. How about the Art Club?"

She glanced between us, "Any new art projects or assignments you've been working on that I can take a look at?" 

Axel darted his eyes to me, as if I were supposed to reply for him. Also, he may be worried that I'll tell Mrs. Davis that he has in fact been nothing but disruptive or unproductive during every single meeting. However no matter how much of a goody-two-shoes teacher-ass-kisser that I am, one thing that I am not is a snitch. My family taught me that. And if I wouldn't say a word about the evilness that floats within my own blood, who am I to sit here and rat out a boy that hardly concerns me?

I swallowed, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Chiming in I said, "Well, we've only just begun some stuff." I began explaining, "Every body is still coming up with ideas for their projects. However, as usual, everything will be presented at the annual art exhibition at the end of the school year!" I informed her generously, though she already knew this of course. 

"Ah," She seemed pleased with my response. Nodding, she said. "Alright then." Mrs. Davis stared down Axel once more. "I hope you're working hard not only at club but also at your schoolwork. I've noticed your grades have been pretty steady, Axel. But they're still low. You need to stay above a B+ to graduate." The principal sighed, seemingly disappointed in him. "You're floating just over a D average." 

I scrunched my nose, turning my head to face the brunette boy. Why are his grades still so low? I don't get it-- wasn't the threat of losing graduation enough for him? 

"There's still time to turn it around, but you need to work fast." She continued. "The club will help. But there's more to that." She told us as if we didn't already know. Axel just nodded quietly, and I could see in his expression that he was slightly upset about all of this. What I don't understand is why he won't fix the problem. 

However, it's none of my business. I'm just here to get those bonus tutoring credits. 

"Well," She turned her face away from him as if she knew that nothing she would say would get through to him. "Let me take a look at this..." She said as she picked up the thin white sheets of paper. Grabbing a black fountain pen, she quickly scanned her eyes that were coated in makeup and mascara. Mrs. Davis swiftly checked off the boxes that she needed to, and then signed her signature at the bottom.