Chapter Eight

n.

There's not many things I do in life without an ulterior motive. Even something as simple as watching movies with friends had to benefit me in some way. I couldn't care less about watching stupid teenagers be knifed down by a masked psychopath.

In fact, movies in general are a waste of time. But being cuddled up in the dark with a hot guy, pretending to be afraid of a character who could never get to me, was my idea of a good time.

Unfortunately, the guy that I was supposed to be cuddled up with had absolutely zero interest in me. In fact, he couldn't have turned me down more quickly when I asked him to join us in the theater. He made no excuses or gave no reasons, only said that he didn't want to.

Luckily, no one was around to see him turn me down and I was able to lie and say that I hadn't found him on my search. But, I had more than just one motive for this movie day that became inexplicably more lame without Armani. I needed the twins on my side.

If they were there that day, they would have been able to find out why Selah was expelled. Unfortunately, since they were waist deep in her ass, they weren't interested in figuring it out anymore. They believe that she should tell them in her own time.

I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough at that. I needed them to believe we were as close as I'd led them to think before Selah got here. And I also wanted them as far away from her perfectly manicured clutches as possible.

I was being nicer to them than I'd ever been to anyone in my entire life. So, when Kennedi says she's craving some warm apple cider, I offer to go and grab her some from the food stall. I was more than glad that I did, because the fuse under me was re-lit seeing Armani straddling Selah's waist in the quad.

I snitch to an unaware security guard who's too busy texting on his phone to see the smut happening around him. How disgusting could a person be to do THAT in the middle of the school grounds.

Then I turn and head to the dorms, forgetting all about that stupid cup of cider. They could watch all of the trashy movies they wanted, but I couldn't care less about pretending that I wanted to be there anymore. And playing butler wasn't doing it for me, either.

No, I needed a plan. I would never fight over a guy. Or, at least, if I was fighting over him no one would know that I was. That's embarrassing. What I need is a guy just as hot as Armani is, who I could prance all over campus.

Rhys Arrowood.

He was the best person for the job, especially since he'd grown up with Armani. Dating his best friend would definitely get his attention. Damien would've been great, except for the fact that he hates my guts. And Grayson was definitely off limits.

A new guy, who'd get the attention of everyone on campus was perfect. For the first time since it was announced, I was actually excited for their arrival.

s.

"Are the two of you out of your minds? I mean, you can't be serious! Do you take me, the staff and the integrity of this school for a joke?" the Dean yells, standing across the desk from us.

We both stare at her red face blankly. It looked as if her veins were fighting hard to escape her neck. And her fingers were gripping the back of her desk chair so hard, that if her nails were fake, they'd pop off of her hand.

"Why would you guys think it's okay to do what you were doing in the middle of the grounds for everyone to see? Do you not have any self respect?" she rages, staring at me as if I'm the only person in the room.

"Are you done?" I ask, and she scoffs, snatching out her chair and basically slamming herself into it.

"I'm five seconds away from calling your parents and telling them that THIS ESTABLISHMENT isn't a great fit for you, Selah. You've done nothing but give reasons to support your expulsion since you got here. I can't express how disappointed I am right now" she says tiredly.

I don't even attempt to speak anymore. Instead I lean back in my seat and shutter out of the room entirely.

"Is she the only person here, Dean?". Armani's question pulls me back in, but I shake my head, laying a hand on his arm. "It's fine. You don't have to defend me, really. I'm completely over all of this and I'm sure I'd prefer not being here at this point".

He pulls his arm away from me and sits up straight from his previous careless slouch. "Why is she the only person you're addressing? And WHY aren't you shutting up long enough to hear what ACTUALLY happened, instead of what that asshole security guard let seep out of his mouth?".

Her eyes bulge an alarming amount, actually scaring me a little bit. I could practically see smoke puffing out of her nostrils. "I would've gotten to you in time, Armani Hendrix. I would suggest you never disrespect me like you just did. Unless, of course, you plan on losing your place in this school".

"I'm sure the Daley's wouldn't approve of you disrespecting their daughter the way you are, especially since you didn't even let her defend herself. We weren't on our way to having sex in your quad, DEAN! All I was doing, was taking a picture of her.

That security guard didn't even let us explain ourselves, and neither did you. How unprofessional is that? I would suggest you not do your job from an emotional standpoint. Unless, of course, you plan on losing your position in this school".

If this was his way of getting me to let him take me on a date, it wasn't working, but I was completely impressed. I'm so used to fighting my own battles, that it's always a surprise when someone steps in for me. And step in for me, he did. The Dean's red face, shaky hands, and the look of realization in her eyes brought me much more happiness than I could express.

"I think...that all of us should take a step back from everything. And while back that step, I'd like to apologize for my behavior. Your parents, Selah, tasked me with the job of making sure you do well in this environment, and I have gone a bit too far with it. I am NOT your parent, and I'm sorry for acting like I was".

I just sit there, staring at her with eyes that were used to people standing in front of them and being disappointments. Eyes that were used to people trying to darken the soul that they led to. Eyes that once sought for the heart, the good in people, but was forced to become accustomed to watching them only achieve breaking it.

And there was no surprise there. Only the realization that they somehow lowered the expectation to a bar already in hell.