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The guy was also double my age. He’s now been fired for something he didn’t do, and my parents have flown me thousands of miles from my home. I don’t know what’s more offensive, they think I would prioritize a man over my studies, or they think my standards are that low.
Mother stops outside a door with Principal Oakley Byrne’s name carved into a brass plaque. She knocks confidently.
“Come in,” a deep voice replies. A voice that sends shivers down my spine.
There is something unnerving about this school. I felt a sense of unease the moment I stepped over the threshold, but I can’t put my finger on why. Perhaps it’s the gothic style columns and dark stone that remind me of something out of a horror movie. It makes me feel like I’m entering somewhere dangerous.
My mother twists the doorhandle and swings open the door, stepping inside.
My heart hammers in my ears as I stare into the gloomy depths of the office in front of me. A sense of impending doom coils through me as I feel like I’m about to be thrown to the wolves.
“Come along, Eva,” my mother calls.
I force one foot in front of the other and step into the dark office. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust. And then, it feels like my heart stops beating entirely. A pair of striking aquamarine eyes gaze at me. The man they belong to stands, drawing my attention to the bulging muscles straining against his simple white dress shirt. He has to be about six foot five tall as he towers over the desk. “Mrs. Carmichael, I presume?” he asks my mother, but his eyes don’t move from me for a second.
“Yes, I’m ever so sorry that we’re late, Principal Byrne.” My mother shoots me an irritated glare as if it’s my fault our flight was delayed. “Unfortunately, you’re going to have your hands full with this one.”
Unbelievable.
I’m being punished for something I didn’t do. I’ve ensured I never stepped one toe out of line my entire life, and this is the thanks I get. They have uprooted me and turned my life upside down because of one stupid prank. As it is the only plausible explanation that I could come up with, Casey Hogan, my arch-nemesis in my previous high school, set me up with the photoshopped image.
The principal, who shouldn’t be a principal at all, as he looks like a male model, continues to stare at me with an intensity that makes my stomach flutter. It’s as if he is waiting for me to cower and break his gaze. “No student is too challenging for me.” His voice is deep and as smooth as butter. This man is not your average principal, but the Syndicate Academy is not your average high school, from what I have read in the prospectus my mother gave me.
My mom laughs, and it’s the fakest laugh I’ve ever heard. “No, I believe that’s true. Your reputation precedes you.”
“Indeed,” he answers, still staring at me as if weighing me up.
I take in his sharp, beautiful features. My eyes move from his dark, curling hair to his solid, powerful jaw, which is peppered in a short, well-groomed beard. It looks like a master sculptor carved every feature of his painstakingly. He’s that perfect.
“Eva,” my mother scolds. “Answer the principal.”
I meet my mother’s gaze, realizing I don’t know what he said. “Sorry, what?”
“Do you see what we put up with?” She shakes her head. “Principal Bryne asked you whether you like the look of the grounds?”
I swallow hard, shrugging. “They look alright.” For the first time since I stepped foot into his office, I move my eyes away from his. The heat blazing through my body is impossible to ignore.
He clears his throat and moves his intense, brooding gaze to my mother. “How are Eva’s academic abilities?”
Surely that’s a question he could ask me. My mom opens her mouth to reply, but I cut in quicker. “I’m top of my class in all subjects.” I keep my chin high and meet his intimidating gaze.
“She is, but that’s not why she’s here. We need her to learn discipline and stay out of trouble until she graduates.” My mother clears her throat. “We can’t have her ruin our reputation.”
I give up with my parents. They don’t trust me at all, despite never giving them a reason not to. Although, if they knew my ultimate plan to cut ties with them, they’d never trust me again. The moment some bitch at my school sets me up, they believe doctored evidence instantly.
“Of course not. Students in similar situations will provide Eva a good example to follow.” His eyes flicker with an evil glint that sends shivers down my spine as he returns his attention to me. “There’s a strict separation between the girls and boys in attendance during recreational times, as the boy’s dorm is in a separate building entirely.” He glances at me. “We also keep a strict watch on our staff.”
Heat slams into me as I glance at my mother, realizing she told him whatsupposedlyhappened. “It’s all bullshit that I kissed the janitor,” I blurt out, making my mother gasp at my use of foul language. “Someone photoshopped the image, and my parents are too stupid to realize it.” I’m not sure why I care what the principal thinks, anyway.
“Language, Eva. And don’t speak of us with such disrespect.” She raises her hand and slaps me hard across the face, something she likes to do to humiliate me, making a point in front of the principal.
I bring my hand up to my stinging face, grinding my teeth in annoyance.
When I glance back at the principal, there appears to be a glint of barely contained rage in his eyes as he glares at my mother.
Principal Bryne’s expression turns severe as he tears his eyes off her and back to me. “I see what you mean. If Eva can’t take responsibility for her actions, I’ll teach her what happens to students who lie.” My heart stills in my chest. There’s a very serious threat in his tone, one which makes my gut churn with unease.
“I’m glad to hear it.” My mother turns to me. “If I don’t hear you’re following every rule at this school, I will cut you off, regardless.”
