One Girl, Boys Boarding School

A New Possibility

Joe's POV

"I'm sorry son, there's nothing I can do." Mr Laney said, slumping his hands on the table in defeat.

"She can't leave Sir, things are only just turning around for her here." I pleaded, what could I say to make him change his mind?

"I really appreciate the care you've taken for my daughter, I know I've been distant since taking on this new job... I feel like a failure for letting her down." I felt for the man, clearly their relationship had been almost perfect before.

"At what point can you remember Sophie being the happiest?" I was hoping this would somehow lead to something.

"Hmm, I'm not sure, maybe, early last year? She'd made a good group of friends at school, she was swimming like she never had before... maybe if... no I couldn't." Mr Laney began pacing the room, brow furrowed, talking to himself.

"Are you alright, Sir?"

"She might be able to stay Joe."

"Really? How?!"

"When you ask that question, of when Sophie was most happy, there are two friends of her's that come to mind. Sasha and Own."

"Okay?..."

"I don't know if I could get another girl here, I would need to go through the board, piles of paperwork-"

"What're you saying Sir?"

"It was easy with Soph, she's my kid, I got her in without so much trouble. I don't know if I could do it again."

"Do what again?"

"Yeah, I'll have to go with Owen... but how will I get him here?"

"Mr Laney! Please explain, what is your plan?"

"Look Joe, Owen always kept Soph in line, I think if he's here to watch over her, protect her, she could stay."

"But I'm here to protect her-" Didn't he think I was doing anything for Sophie, I had literally been there for her since she first arrived.

"Yes of course you are son, but Owen will remind Sophie of where she came from." A knock on the door forced both of our heads to fling around behind us. Sophie entered the room, her sweater arms stretched over her hands, her face still a slight red.

Sophie's POV

I'd calmed down and was ready to talk to my father again, negotiate something, change his mind.

"I'm ready to talk about it again dad- Joe what're you doing here?" He said he was going to the library.

"Would you like to tell Sophie the good news or should I do it?"

"What good news?"

"You can stay Soph." Joe gave me a warm smile.

"What? How?" Sophie was amazed. "But just this morning you were adamant I was moving."

"I know sweetie, but Joe reminded me of something. Remember Owen?"

Shit. "...Yes, I remember him."

"You guys were so close - and that girl Sasha! I've always felt so bad about taking you away from those friends last year."

"What about them dad?" I was friends with these people, until I had sex with one of them and the other told everyone at school that it happened. I never told dad they'd done this.

"Owen will come here, take classes with you, make sure you're okay, remember how protective he was of you?"

I felt embarrassed, Joey had to listen to this, my ex boyfriend was coming here to "watch over me". I was suddenly scared of what he might do, with his knowledge of me, what I've done with him, what I've told him, who I was with him. I thought this was in a past that would never return, but Owen will change everything.