ｈｏｐｅｌｅｓｓ♥

Prologue:

"I told you that this sort of behavior would not be tolerated," Headmaster muses, fiddling with his thumbs. "I told you, Ezra." 

 

I sink down in my seat. "I know, Headmaster."

 

I know the drill. Counselors, also known as helpers, are of equivalent authority to a teacher. We are not allowed to engage in any sort of relationship with students of any kind.

 

"Then why did you do it?"

 

I look at him for a long time. The air is tense. I'm not really sure how to explain why I did it. I'm not even sure how I did it. It happened slowly, and then all at once.

 

"I could turn you in to the authorities, Ezra, and have them arrest you," he reminds me.

 

"Yes, sir, I do believe you could."

 

He seems intrigued by my lack of shame, but I can't pretend like I'm really all that remorseful. I fell in love with a girl, but we were five years apart. Apparently that isn't okay if you aren't famous or rich.

 

"I don't want to have to do this, Ezra..." He looks at the folder on his desk with a furrowed brow before slowly nodding. "I have an idea."

 

"Please, do tell."

 

I can't help the sarcasm that drips from my every word, but he doesn't seem to notice. In fact, he looks like he's discovered all of the world's secrets. 

 

"You're going to write me a story, a narrative to be exact. It's going to be about how your relationship began. The creative retrospect is up to you."

 

"And if I refuse?"

 

"It's the only thing keeping you here and not in the county prison for pedophilia."

 

He give me one of those thousand watt smiles that used to amuse me so much. Now, it makes me sick to my stomach. 

 

"Yes, Headmaster."