Before You Go | A Prequel

4.1 | Cold Blooded

❛ ━━･❪𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗❫ ･━━ ❜

"I HAVE TO SAY, I'M QUITE IMPRESSED."

The words came as a silent relief. A humble smile pursed on Nico's lips, and he nodded politely at the Dean sitting across from him, thankful to finally be able to swallow down the tumultuous anxiety which had bubbled up in his gut during the short walk across the quad from his last class of the day and to the administrations building. Despite all of his better reasoning, he was certain he'd been summoned for the worst, and had mentally prepared for—

"Unfortunately, we're revoking your scholarship. You will need to pay in full, in cash, in the next twenty-four hours, or you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," or conversely-

"The decision has been made to expel you from Harveston University, School of Law. You must leave these grounds immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect two-hundred dollars. A bill for the remainder of the school year will be sent to your home address, at 8 Pearlygate Point, Heavensport Island. It has been our greatest displeasure."

"Thank you, sir," he replied. "It's been a pleasure. I'm learning so much already, and I understand this is still just the beginning. It's an amazing opportunity. I can't express how thankful I am for the school's generosity."

Laying it on a bit thick, perhaps he was. But if schmoozing his way into a solidified buddy-buddy position with the Dean of Students and his many connections outside of the school was going to help Nico pave his way to the top, then schmooze he absolutely would. And judging from the almost hungry looking smile this flattery elicited from the Dean, he could figure he was on the right track.

"Well, we're thankful to have you. I overheard your professors, earlier, uh, Jensen and Weiss...,"

Nico tensed but he kept his poker face tight, the polite smile plastered to his lips. Dr. Jensen and Mr. Weiss both hated his guts, he was sure of it.

To be fair, Dr. Jensen hated everyone's guts, the crabby old bird. But Mr. Weiss had a particular disdain for Nico's existence. He could see it on his face each time the man called him out in class, adding an extra 'Ffff,' sound to the beginning of his name— "Mis-ter Floyd!"—like his name had dirt on it. Nico learned early on that he needed to arrive at class, at minimum, twenty minutes prior to start if he wanted to snag a seat somewhere in the mid-to-top rows, to avoid sitting in the dreaded Splash Zone, otherwise known as the first few rows which damned unlucky students to a wet and wretched fate, especially if their surnames were to begin with the letter F.

"They echoed my sentiments regarding your performance. Remarked on your punctuality, your attentiveness in class. Thorough, well thought-out answers, and a quite stellar demeanor which we don't often see in first-years," the Dean stifled a laugh, "Weiss, specifically, has a knack, or should I say, certain practices... a reputation, which he's known for. He enjoys the method of breaking students in order to build them back up. Dare I say, he sounded a bit disappointed. You're a tough one to shake."

A light laugh trailed from Nico as he gave a modest shrug, "Uh, perhaps I should introduce Mr. Weiss to my mother. Sounds like they've got a lot in common," he paused before adding, "—and she's single?"

Dean Michaelson let out a laugh that sounded like money. The phony, yet hardy, and never too loud, chuckle of clenched teeth and dollar-signs in the eyes. Nico had grown up hearing it. His father and all of his partners laughed that way, but only when they were around each other. He laughed like a real person at home, or whenever he was with his friends— his real friends. There had always been a clear difference.