Westminster Academy (Part One)

twenty-seven

I didn't dare to say a word while Henry dragged me to the punishment rooms. I knew I had been stupid. Breaking Henry's rules was one thing, but breaking the rules of the school was another.

I had put Henry in a situation where he looked bad and incapable in front of his teachers, and I knew he had worked hard to earn their respect. Even though I hated the system, I didn't want to ruin his chances with my behaviour.

Henry held the door open and looked at me wordlessly. I hesitated, because the way he pierced me with his eyes made me anxious, but I didn't want to push him further. So I went in.

"Sit" Henry ordered sharply, and I obeyed. I was glad that he didn't make me kneel. I sat down on one of the two chairs and waited. Henry remained standing and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Proud of yourself?"

I sighed. "Of course not. I told you I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

Oh, how I hate being lectured.

"For putting you in a position where my behaviour reflects badly on you."

"That's not specific enough. Do you have any idea how many rules you broke, Azalea?"

"I assume you'll tell me in a second" I snapped back.

"Watch your tone." His eyes sparkled dangerously. I sighed again.

"Look, Henry, I-"

"It's sir."

"Yes, okay, sir,-"

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

Fuck. Why do I never realise that I do that?

I went quiet. Everything I had said and done so far had made the situation escalate even further.

"You're getting the cane for that."

I stared at him in disbelief.

Alright, time to beg.

"Please, I'm sorry. I really am. I know I fucked up, okay? I know I shouldn't have been eavesdropping."

"Let's be very clear here" Henry replied. He towered over me, his grey eyes piercing into mine. "I'm not punishing you because you wanted to learn. I know you, and I'm not surprised that you were tempted."

So...what did I do wrong then?

"I'm punishing you because you were stupid enough to get caught. And not only did you get caught, it was fucking Mr. Salzman who found you. Of all the teachers, that man is the most sinister one."

Yep, I had discovered that. I was glad that my intuition hadn't betrayed me.

"You made yourself look like someone who doesn't follow rules, and you made me look like someone who can't keep their submissive under control. But the worst part is" Henry paused and the way he took a breath to calm himself let me know that he wasn't just angry. He had been worried about me.

"The worst part is that I left my class, got stopped by my teacher and told that my submissive can be found in Mr. Salzman's office. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"

I gulped. Realising where Henry's anger really came from made me want to hug and kiss him and tell him that I was okay.

"I'm really sorry" I said, sincerely.

"You'll be even more sorry after your punishment."

Desperation found its way back into my stomach.

"But I get it, really! You don't need to do this" I begged.