Westminster Academy (Part One)

six

Why did I have to let him provoke me again? When I left the dining hall, I had been mad at Henry. But when I made my way to my first class, I was mad at myself. Yes, he was unbearably annoying. But I should have known that beforehand. This wasn't about my pride, it was about my fucking life. I should have been on my knees, literally. My last hope, that he was just bluffing, got destroyed when I entered the classroom.

"Miss Evans, come here please" Miss Taylor called as soon as I walked past her desk. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, then I turned around and walked to her. She was a kind, sweet person. I didn't want this to be the last time I was talking to her.

"Yes, Miss Taylor?"

"The headmaster is expecting you."

I swallowed. "Do you know in what matter?"

She gave me a pitiful look. "I don't know, dear. But he sounded serious. You should go immediately."

"Alright, thanks" I murmured.

Reluctantly, I made my way up to the second floor.

This is the last time I see Headmaster Craven.

I felt tears burning somewhere behind my eyes, but they wouldn't come out. My legs felt shaky as I climbed the stairs. So Henry really did tell on me. Fuck.

Hesitantly, I knocked on the door. Twice, as always. When Headmaster Craven called me in, I pushed the heavy wooden door open. The picture that presented itself to me was impressive and intimidating. Headmaster Craven sat majestically behind his desk. To his side stood Henry, arms behind his back, like a bodyguard. They both had the same serious look on their faces. Seeing them like this, their similarity was obvious. Both had high cheekbones and a sharp jaw line, and both had that stern glint in their eyes.

I gulped.

"Miss Evans, thank you for coming" Headmaster Craven announced. "Take a seat, please."

I shot Henry a quick glance, he was following my every move with his grey eyes. I folded my hands in my lap and lowered my gaze. I felt comfortable with Headmaster Craven, but it was weird that his son was here too. He would witness me behave perfectly submissive. I had never wanted to show him that side of me. It was infuriating and I felt vulnerable, but I also felt so guilty that I wanted to cry. Headmaster Craven was the only person I cared about in this school.

"I'm really sorry, sir" I said softly.

"What for?"

I closed my eyes. He made me say it out loud? I guess I deserve that.

"Well, for-"

"Impressive, she's wholly different with you than with me" Henry suddenly interrupted. I looked up. How dared he interrupt my conversation with Headmaster Craven? Why was he here at all? Headmaster Craven didn't seem very pleased about his interruption either. 

"Henry" he said sternly.

"Sorry, sir." It didn't sound the least bit apologetic.

"So, Miss Evans. I hear you have changed your mind?"

I frowned. "M-my mind?" I asked, confused. "About what, sir?"

"About accepting a dominant for the time you attend this school."

What?

"What?"

I saw Headmaster Craven's disapproval  about my tone, but I couldn't help it. What was going on here?

"What is it with you today? You're normally not so slow on the uptake" Headmaster Craven criticised.

"I'm sure she's just overwhelmed by the situation, father" Henry said, and my eyes snapped to him. Then I saw it, the triumph he tried to hide.

Oh.

"Apparently, you agreed to take my son as your dominant. Or is that information incorrect?"

Fuck him.

I looked at Henry again. He'd got to be kidding me. Henry Craven, my dominant? This could not be happening.

He seemed to be reading my thoughts, because he raised his eyebrows warningly. Yes, I understood. He would not tell his father about last night, but in return, I had to be his submissive. Goddamn it. And the satisfied smile, as if he already knew he had won.

Because he outsmarted me.

It was terrible, but leaving the school would be worse. I tried to tell him with my eyes how much I hated him. His smirk stayed where it was.

"Miss Evans?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Is it true? You two are paired?"

"Yes, sir."

I forced my gaze back to the headmaster, I couldn't bear the triumph on Henry's face. Headmaster Craven studied me suspiciously.

"Well, that is surprising. Yesterday you refused to be paired with anyone."

I straightened my shoulders.

Just play the role.

"That's true, sir. But your son...well" I searched for the right words for the wrong thing. "He convinced me."

I fixed my eyes on Headmaster Craven's. He watched me for one more second, then he formed his lips to a thin smile.

"Yes, he can be quite convincing" he agreed and chuckled. "I'm glad you made that decision."

I clenched my teeth. "Thank you, sir."

"There are a few formalities, but I'd say we'll go through them tomorrow. You should use this day to figure out how your relationship is going to work. I will ask many questions tomorrow, and it would be good if you already figured out rules, a safeword, things like that."

I felt sick.

"We'll take care of it" Henry replied. He walked around his fathers desk and stopped at my side.

"Come, Azalea."

I still looked at Headmaster Craven, waiting for his permission to leave.

"When you are with your dominant, you will only listen to his instructions, Miss Evans" Headmaster Craven explained. I wanted to run away, or scream, or fight. Instead, I got up.

"I'll see both of you tomorrow at ten, but I'd like Miss Evans to come at 9:30 already."

"Yes, sir" I replied mechanically. We turned to go.

"And Henry" he called.

"Yes, sir?"

"You're not allowed to discipline her yet. Not before we went through the formalities."

How relieving.

"I'll wait until tomorrow" he said jokingly, but I knew that he wasn't really joking. I felt like a toy, and I hated it.

He laid a hand on my lower back and pushed me to the door.

"Goodbye, sir" I said, because it felt wrong not to behave as I had always done. Headmaster Craven gave me a thin smile, but I saw the concern in his eyes.

"Goodbye, Miss Evans. And, congratulations."

Thanks.