Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 2 - Khaleel

"Khaleel Abdul."

I didn't like the way the school dean said my name, with conviction and authority, like he could discipline me into next week with the snap of a finger. Did he really think he could scare me with that sickly and overworked complexion? He was on the brink of extinction for fucksake. He looked like he had been resurrected for the apocalypse just to be used as a sacrifice or a decoy. I mean, this man was way past his midlife crisis. The coffee stains on his brown, chequered, elbow-patched suit told a story no one wanted to hear.

"Ruben Cartwright," I retorted, glancing at the silver plaque on his desk. He ignored my comment. He had to if he wanted to maintain professionalism. I flashed a look of defiance at his grimacing face.

"Why is it that when something bad happens at this academy, you and your friends are always in the middle of it?" Cartwright asked.

"What friends?" I played dumb, leaning back in my chair. It was an uncomfortable structure my ass had become accustomed to over the years. Although the seating arrangement wasn't the best, Cartwright's office itself wasn't half bad. It was a cozy spot filled to the brim with wooden book shelves, teaching awards, and philosophy posters. Polyester rugs were tucked under two side tables facing the door behind me, and fake greenery nested on the arched window ledges. Real or fake? Honestly, I couldn't tell.

"Nothing bad happened, Mr. C," I assured. "It was just a small misunderstanding."

"Yes," Cartwright sighed, resting his glasses on the table. He was trying to look put-together but his tacky watch was doing him a great injustice. It wasn't even designer. I would think with his high-paying salary he would be able to afford something a little more sleek and muted. "Please explain. What made you steal a rat from the science department? What made you trap it in a locker with that poor boy?"

My mind blanked for a second. It wasn't out of fear of Cartwright's question but because I had conditioned myself not to tell lies. "I didn't steal the rat," I said, as calmly as I could. "That poor boy of yours did. He set it loose in my locker first. I was just returning it."

"You expect me to believe that one of the brightest minds at this academy provoked you?"

"I can't force you to believe me," I said, bored with the conversation. "I really don't want to hear another lecture about how I'm ruining Jackheight's reputation, Mr. C."

"I haven't said a word about it."

I combed back my wavy locks with my fingers. "We both know that's your default. So, why don't we get to the part where you call my old man and tell him what happened? He can write you a cheque on top of my suspension to apologize and we can meet up in a few months to do this all over again?"

"Do you really intend to waste your youth like this?" Cartwright deadpanned. "Are you so bored here at the academy that you find the need to bully students?"

"It was payback, not bullying."

His words were loud and abrupt. "You know as well as I do that he wouldn't stand a chance against you!"

"It's cute that you get that," I said, used to intimidating people twice my age. "But there are people out there who don't need to overpower others with their brawn—their brains are more than enough. Scarier even. I was called to your office because that idiot challenged a guy with both."

"Modest as ever, I see," he said.

I wanted to tell him I wasn't talking about myself but resisted. Nothing good would come out of involving my friend right now. He had bigger things to worry about. I could handle Cartwright and whatever predictable punishment he came up with. He wasn't the smartest tool in the shed but he did have influence over the school. Jackheights was known for its academics and the athletes it produced, it didn't need a dean to discipline anyone, it needed a strategist to motivate and direct students to the path of success. I was the anomaly. Cartwright's Everest. I kept a 4.0 GPA while causing trouble.

"After much consideration, I have decided not to suspend you," the dean went on. His determination nearly sucked the life out of me. "Instead, you will be joining the student council for the remainder of the term."

I stared at him dumbfounded. "Come again?"

It was Cartwright's turn to smile. "You heard me, student council member."

"Fuck that. I would rather get suspended."

"That's unfortunate," he said. "I've already spoken to your father's secretary about it. Kumar has given me permission to expel you, if necessary."

"E-Expel?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was this old fart serious? Did he plan all this before I was called to his office? Was my uncle really supporting this messed up punishment? No way! There was no way! My old man invested too much money into the school to let me get expelled. He wouldn't throw all of that away in a single day, not unless—

I sat up straight and glared daggers at the dean.

"That's right," Cartwright smirked. "Expulsion means a one-way ticket back to Pakistan."