Westminster Academy (Part One)

five

When I woke up, I already felt nauseous before I could actively recall the events of the previous night. I groaned and rubbed my eyes.

Is this the last time I wake up in this bed?

I didn't want to go home. Not only would my father beat me black and blue for being expelled from school, I would never get the chance to learn things again. I would be forced to take care of my siblings and do chores, and the only time I would leave our house would be for grocery shopping. I wanted to throw up at the mere thought of such a life.

I liked it here. I liked my room, it was small but cozy. I decorated it with books and flowers, and I had a beautiful view over the lake. I didn't want to leave.

Reluctantly, I got up and tried to start my day as usual. I put on my school uniform (Is this the last time I get to wear that pretty blue skirt?) and put my hair in a ponytail. At breakfast, I didn't eat one bite. My throat was too tight to swallow. I expected someone to come and throw me out every moment. Certainly, Henry was betraying me to his father right this second.

I was all the more surprised when he entered the dining hall with a friend, casually talking. It was the first time I really looked at him, and I had no idea why he had never caught my eye before. He got his food and I watched him and his friend sit down at a table on the other side of the room. He hadn't seen me, but it would only be a matter of time.

Alright, this will be humiliating but you have to try.

I got up, left my food and slowly walked over to Henry's table. Great, two days in a row where I had to walk up to an arrogant guy and ask for forgiveness. They were both fully engaged in their conversation, they didn't notice me even when I stood right before them. I cleared my throat. Two handsome faces turned to me.

"Excuse me-" I started.

"No" Henry cut me off. "Don't you see that we're having a conversation? Let us finish."

I was so taken aback by the sharpness of his voice that I just stared at him in disbelief. Henry shot me another stern glance and turned back to his friend. I didn't know the friends name, but he looked at me, then at Henry and smirked. He seemed pretty bad boy, though. He even had a tattoo on his neck.

I stood there and felt stupid, as Henry continued to talk about something. Science, maybe? I wished I could understand what it was about. It sounded interesting. He finished after about a minute and turned back to me, a faked smile on his lips.

"Now" he said, as if he was an adult and I a little kid. "What do you want, Azalea Evans?"

"Do you have a moment for me?" I asked and tried not to sound as annoyed as I really was.

"No, actually" he replied, folding his hands. "I don't have anything for you."

"Come on" I sounded a little too annoyed. His eyes went colder.

"Anything you want to say to me you can say in front of Noah. I doubt that it's important."

"It is" I insisted. Henry sighed and gave his friend a pat on the back.

"I'll be right back. Let's see what the brat has to say."

I pressed my lips together and followed him out on the hallway. We stood exactly like we did yesterday. I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"I am not a brat" was the first thing I said. I had to. Even if it seemed a bit ridiculous, because I literally was the definition of a brat. He towered over me. The guy was tall as hell.

"That's what you want to tell me so badly?" he asked and leaned against the wall.

"No." I took a deep breath. "I wanted to ask...well, did you...have you already..." I stuttered. It sounded pathetic. I wanted to slap myself.

"Please speak in full sentences" Henry said. It sounded half mockingly, half like a reprimand. I shot him a poisoned look.

"Have you already spoken with your father?" I brought out.

"You mean if your expulsion is already signed?" His eyes sparkled mischievously.

"This is not funny" I stated. "Have you?"

"No" he said and I sighed in relief. "But I will go to him straight after finishing my breakfast. Which I should do right now, actually."

He made an effort to leave.

"No, please!" I called, and it sounded even more pathetic than my stuttering before. He stopped. "Please don't" I said and avoided his gaze.

"Look at that" Henry said, his mockery cutting into my skin. "So you can beg."

I looked up. "Are you done making fun of me?" I couldn't do this anymore, I had to say something. "You have no idea how much power you have over my life right now, okay? I would pretty much do anything to stay here."

Mistake.

"Anything?"

"Well, no, not anything." My hands were sweaty. Why did he make me so nervous?

"You seem a little nervous, are you okay?"

Jerk.

"You know what?" I said, angry now. "Forget it. Do what you want. Ruin the life of someone who doesn't have any chances to get an education. Be one of the stupid, idiotic alpha males. I don't care."

And just like yesterday, I left him standing.