Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
I can’t allow that to happen.
Still muttering under her breath, she parks the Civic at the back of the lot. Before she can kill the engine, I grab my bag and jump out before racing toward the entrance. The sun is just rising over the stone structure, bathing it in incandescent light. From the outside, it’s a gorgeous, three-story building with beautifully detailed architecture. Inside, however, it’s a veritable nightmare except for those at the very top of the social food chain.
“You’re not even going to wait for me?” Mom calls out, raising her voice.
I whip around. “Sorry. I’ll see you later, okay?”
She waves me off in irritation.
Once I reach the set of double doors, I yank the handle and jog through the corridor. The soles of my shoes echo off the black and white marble tile. It’s not a surprise to find the halls deserted at this time of the morning. The only students here are the kids on the swim team, and they’re probably finishing up in the Olympic sized pool.
As soon as I reach the main office, I scan the interior. Austin and his mother aren’t here yet. Mrs. Baxter glances up from her desk in surprise. A friendly smile wreathes her weathered face when she catches sight of me. She’s a grandmotherly type and one of the few genuinely nice people here. She doesn’t treat anyone differently based on their income bracket. It doesn’t matter to her if you’re at HP on scholarship or your parents bought a seat on the board.
“My goodness. You’re here awfully early.”
“Yes,” I huff, heart still pumping from my sprint. “I was hoping to speak with Mr. Pembroke.”
She spears a quick glance at his closed office door before leaning toward me and dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Now’s not a good time. He’s preparing for a meeting.”
“I know.” Impatience spirals through me as I hop from one foot to the other. “There’s important information I need to share with him.”
Her brows pinch together as her lips sink at the corners. It’s an odd look on her normally smiling face. “I’m afraid he asked not to be disturbed.”
Everything inside me plummets. “Please, Mrs. Baxter? It’s important. I don’t want Austin to get expelled.” I pause before adding desperately, “Especially after what he’s been through.”
Sympathy floods her expression as her hand flutters to her ample chest. “Oh dear, I know. What happened to Griffin was so tragic.” A faraway look fills her eyes. “I remember when he used to walk these very halls.”
Just as I steeple my hands, ready to plead my case, she capitulates. “All right. I’ll see if you can pop in for a minute or two. That’s all the time he can spare, Delilah. I hope you understand.”
I nod, grateful that she’ll at least speak with him.
She rises to her feet before smoothing down her rumpled blouse and skirt. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. He’s extremely busy.”
With that, she pads to his office before tentatively wrapping her knuckles against the thick wood and stepping inside the room. The door remains cracked open and from inside I hear the low babble of voices. I tilt my head, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation. When that doesn’t work, I inch closer until I’m able to catch the low rumble of his words.
“That’s not necessary. I spoke with more than enough witnesses at the fundraiser. Please tell Ms. Robinson that I don’t need another account of the situation. I think we can all agree that Austin Hawthorne is a loose cannon. I was against the board giving him a second chance after the last incident.”
He’s going to expel him.
That knowledge is all it takes for me to burst into movement. Before I realize it, I’ve crossed the carpeted space. As I reach the door, I shove it open and step inside the office. His words fall away as they both swing their heads toward me.
Before he can say anything, I blurt, “Please, Mr. Pembroke? All I’m asking is that you hear me out. You didn’t give me a chance to explain what happened before the fight.”
His scowl becomes even more ferocious. “I believe Mrs. Baxter asked you to wait outside.”
“I apologize for interrupting, but you need to know all of the information.”
His lips thin. Even though I try to hold myself perfectly still, it’s hard not to squirm beneath his icy glare. It’s obvious that he’s already made up his mind and isn’t interested in hearing the other side of the story. But still…how can I walk away without trying to sway his decision?
“I know how valuable your time is,” I say, gulping down my nerves. “And I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”
Silence stretches to the point of uncomfortableness before he finally huffs out a breath. “Fine. You have exactly two minutes.”