The Lie (Kings of Linwood Academy 2)

“I know I shouldn’t have done it, but ever since Iris died, I’ve just been so… so sad! I—I haven’t been myself. I’ve just been a mess. Do you know what it’s like to lose your best friend?”

She steps even closer to his desk, sinking into one of the seats in front of it and leaning forward, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth.

Excuse me, what?

The first time Savannah fucked with my test, Iris was still alive. Is she seriously going to try to pin this all on grief?

Mr. Osterhaut keeps his spine straight, but his expression softens a little. “I understand that must be very difficult for you, Savannah. But as I told Harlow earlier, we simply cannot allow bad behavior to slide, no matter what the extenuating circumstances.”

She nods, her face scrunched up in a way that still manages to be attractive as more tears pour from her eyes. “I understand. And I’m so, so sorry. It’s not the kind of thing I would normally ever do—I’m not that kind of person! And I just feel awful that I did it to Harlow, when she must be going through such a terrible time with her mom being in jail and all.”

Dragging her gaze away from the principal, Savannah turns to me, her blue eyes glassy with tears. Spite burns behind them for a second, then her mask of contrition falls back into place.

“I’m so sorry, Harlow. I never meant for this to happen. That’s why I asked you to come with me to see Mr. Osterhaut today to clear things up. I couldn’t believe it when I heard you got expelled. I’ve been just sick about it.”

What the actual, ever-loving fuck?

I don’t speak. I’m too busy gaping at her like she just turned into a fucking alien.

Savannah turns back to face Mr. Osterhaut again, sniffling softly. “Thank you for listening to me, sir. I understand there have to be consequences, but if someone has to be in trouble, I’d rather it be me than her. It’s my fault.”

He squints slightly, deepening the shallow wrinkles around his eyes. Then he nods.

“Thank you, Savannah. That’s very mature of you, and it says a lot about your character. I know Iris’s death has been hard to cope with, especially for her closest friends.” He sighs. “She was a… a special student, and a lovely girl.”

“She was,” the redhead agrees softly, her blue eyes big and wide. “I miss her so much.”

Mr. Osterhaut leans forward a little. “In light of the fact that this was your first infraction, Ms. Harris, I’m going to let you off with a warning. However, I would like to have you visit the school counselor a few times. She may be able to help you process some of your feelings and find better ways to channel them. There are more productive ways to deal with grief than acting out.”

Her tear-streaked face lights up, and she hiccups a breath. “Oh, thank you, Mr. Osterhaut! That would be… amazing. Thank you. I—”

She breaks off again, apparently overcome by her tears.

Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.

My focus shifts from her to the principal, stunned that he’s buying this shit.

But he is.

Oh boy, is he.

He’s eating it up by the fucking spoonful, and probably patting himself on the back for intervening in a troubled student’s life.

I’m trying to tamp down my rage so I can speak without screaming when he turns his gaze up to me.

“And as for you, Harlow—since you weren’t the one to tamper with your exams, your disciplinary action will be rescinded. Your expulsion will be reversed, and I’ll alert your teachers to allow you to make up what class material you missed.”

His expression turns stern, and he glances back and forth between the two of us.

“I know this has been a difficult semester, ladies. On a number of counts. But I don’t want to see either of you in my office again, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” I mutter.

At least I got what I came for—I have a school to go to again—but the victory tastes bitter on my tongue.

“I promise.” Savannah nods and rises, still sniffling as she rests her hands on the desk and leans toward the older man, letting her cleavage do what it does best—draw his focus like a fucking magnet. “Thank you again. I’m so glad I decided to come forward; it’s such a relief to have that off my chest.”

His gaze flicks down to said chest, and instead of telling her that her top is in clear violation of the student dress code, he just clears his throat and nods.