Westminster Academy (Part One)

thirty-four

It took me all my self control to walk at a leisurely pace instead of running to the headmaster's office. Somehow, I still had to catch my breath when I finally arrived at the secretary's desk.

"Excuse me, Miss Weaver, can I please speak to the headmaster?"

Headmaster Craven's secretary, an old woman with glasses and traditionally braided hair, didn't try to hide her disapproval when she looked at me.

"What is your name?" She asked suspiciously.

"You know my name, I've been here a million times" I replied, slightly annoyed. Miss Weaver raised her eyebrows and waited. I sighed.

"Azalea Evans. I really need to talk to him."

She took her time to take note of my name.

"The headmaster is not expecting you. I can give you an appointment for tomorrow."

"No, I need to talk to him now. Please."

"I'm afraid that's not possible" She didn't sound the slightest bit regretful.

I opened my mouth to start another attempt when the door to the headmaster's office opened. A girl I had never seen before hurried to leave the room. Her cheeks were flushed, giving away that she had just received some discipline.

I immediately saw my chance. Before Miss Weaver could even get out of her chair, I rushed past her and entered the office. Headmaster Craven lifted his head in surprise.

"Miss Evans? Did we have an appointment?"

I was so used to seeing Henry everyday that it was shocking to look into Headmaster Craven's eyes. This was what Henry would look like in a few years, with more beard and more wrinkles. It wasn't a bad prospect for the future.

The future I won't have with him.

I hadn't seen or talked to Headmaster Craven in so long that a strange wave of affection came over me.

"No, sir" I said, trying to remember how I used to behave around him. I was used to a completely different kind of submission now that I was with Henry. "I didn't mean to be rude. I just hoped for a moment of your time."

"Apologies, sir" Miss Weaver finally turned up behind me and gave me a deadly look. "This student just wouldn't listen when I told her you don't have time for her."

Headmaster Craven frowned, struggling to understand what was going on. He gave me a questioning look and I tried to tell him with my eyes that I really needed him to let me in. He turned back to his secretary.

"It's alright, Miss Weaver. I will hear what Miss Evans has to say."

I sighed, relieved. "Thank you, sir."

"Come in and close the door behind you."

I entered the room and glanced around. Everything looked the same, it felt like coming home.

"Take a seat" Headmaster Craven instructed, and the sound of his voice let me remember the old, effortless submission I had always felt around him. I sat down in one of the leather chairs and folded my hands in my lap.
"Sir, I didn't mean to-"

"Since when do you rush into my office and speak when you've not been asked?" He interrupted.

I looked up, surprised. The disapproval in Headmaster Craven's eyes hurt. I had been so happy to see him, and in my head he was like a father to me. But I realised that I had forgotten how strictly he had always demanded the highest respect, no matter how much he liked me.

"I'm sorry, sir" I said humbly and lowered my eyes. Months of different rules with Henry had confused me.

"Now, explain to me what all this is about." I was relieved that his tone was a bit more gentle now. I took a breath and realised that I actually had no idea what I what to say and how to say it.