Boarding with the Bad Boy [COMPLETE + BONUS published edition]

End of the Road

A/N: I've posted quite a bit this week, but I wanted to get this chapter into the world before the weekend. It's long (almost 2500 words), but two super important things happen to Logan and Sam in this puppy. Enjoy! 

I never make it to the garden. I'm only halfway down the hall when Coleman accosts me, looking flustered.

"Miss Grey, I'm glad you're here." Coleman's anxious smile can mean only one thing, confirmed as soon as he opens his mouth a second time. "I've been asked to escort you to Headmaster Carr's office."

Two guys hanging out in the hall watch our interaction with interest.

"Damn," one calls as I follow Coleman toward the stairs. "New girl got busted." I don't have to look back to know that they're on their phones, spreading the news.

Coleman doesn't say a word as we cross the quad, and I keep my head down, hoping my hair hides my face. I'm nervous—really nervous—and I feel guilty for fucking up my life so quickly. The knowledge that I'm about to be kicked out and shipped to Ohio for my last two years of high school weighs heavy on my chest.

At the headmaster's office, Coleman gestures me past the secretary and into a beautiful room with walls made entirely of mahogany. A large leather chair sits in one corner and books line shelves surrounding a fireplace. It looks like a room one might expect in Hogwarts. I swallow as I move my eyes to the centerpiece of the room: a large desk where Headmaster Carr sits patiently.

"Samuel Evans is currently off campus, but I'll bring him here as soon as he's back." I jump at the sound of Coleman's voice behind me. I had forgotten he was there.

"Thank you, Rodney," Headmaster Carr says, bowing his head slightly.

Coleman makes a sound that sort of resembles 'you're welcome' before departing, leaving me with the intimidating and visibly angry headmaster.

"Sit down, Miss Grey." He directs me to a chair across from his and I move to it on jelly legs.

When I'm seated, he leans back and gives me a long, disappointed look. "Now, please explain to me what you're doing in 202 MacMillan."

Headmaster Carr is a professional. He doesn't speak as I tell him my story, doesn't give me any hints as to what he's thinking. I ramble on about going to admissions and finding my room assignment and make up a little bit about deciding to stay in the room just to see. When I've talked myself hoarse and have no details to add, he leans forward, resting his forearms on the table.

"You told Mr. Coleman that the dean was sorting this out, correct?"

I swallow. I had forgotten that part.

"Yes," I say finally.

"But you hadn't gone to the dean."

"No."

He asks me to tell him again why I chose not to go straight to admissions and admit the mistake when I got my room assignment. I look down at my hands. My palms are sweating.

"Stupidity," I mutter into the silence of the room. No way am I bringing Jill into this.

Headmaster Carr sighs and removes his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Miss Grey, I'm sure you can appreciate that this is a very serious offense--not only against school policy, but against the law."

I stop breathing. I knew it was illegal. I knew it!

"Ryder Academy will not have its name splashed in the papers due to the recklessness of one student, so we will not be pressing charges. However, as I'm sure you're aware, we cannot continue your enrollment for your fifth and sixth forms."