"They fucked up my schedule," Dom tells me. “We all do psych, including Luc.”
I lean down to get the things I need for class from my bag and see Alec's 'don't you dare' look.
I sigh and turn to Dom. "Do you mind getting my stuff out?" I ask him. He gives me an approving smile and pulls out my stuff from my bag.
The teacher starts talking and a few minutes pass before a shoulder lightly nudges mine.
Dominic keeps his eyes on the teacher before handing me a white earphone looking thing but there's no cord. I take it from him and give him a puzzled look. He taps his ear and holds out another one, putting it in his ear. I copy his movements and the soothing beat of country music comes through the speakers.
I grin at him and use my hair like a waterfall to cover the earphone.
He slyly hands me his phone and motions that I need to pick a playlist. Flicking my attention between keeping an eye on the teacher and picking a playlist of songs, I eventually settle on his 'Classic Country' playlist and Shania Twain comes through the earpiece.
I hand Dom back his phone and he pockets it. Being able to tune out the teacher’s speech is definitely a welcomed distraction.
Sitting down quickly becomes uncomfortable again. Halfway through the class, it becomes nearly unbearable. I use my arm to press it against my ribs. Alec gets my attention and I nod answering his unasked question about if it was hurting. The guys all share concerned looks.
Maverick raises his hand like he's going to ask something and just when the teacher sees him, the classroom door opens.
The assistant principal searches the classroom until his eyes land on me.
"Excuse me, I need to speak with Laney Summers,” he announces. I try not to shrink back at his sharp gaze.
My eyes track the assistant principal as he walks back out. That's when I notice the police officers walking past the classroom, towards the office as they follow the principal.
I numbly hand Dominic his little earphone thingy and stand up. Alec follows me quickly.
"Mason, call Luc," Alec says quietly. "I'll go with Rory and see what they want."
The teacher doesn’t bother trying to stop Alec, just carries on in a desperate attempt to control the class. The noise sky rockets as we leave the room, everyone chattering loudly and pointing out the window at the cops.
I start to panic when I see the police officers talking to the principal inside.
"Alec?" I say in a small voice, anxiety rising up inside me.
He grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly. "We've got a plan, Rory. Everything is going to be okay," he murmurs as we enter the office.
"There she is," one of the officers harrumphs. He makes a move like he's going to grab me and Alec steps between us.
"Laney has the right to know where she's going and why," Alec says sternly.
The first officer goes to refuse but the second jumps in.
"Laney’s father filed a missing persons report saying she hasn't been home in twenty-four hours," the second officer says politely. He smiles at me and I hesitantly return it.
I look at his badge name. Thomas.
"Yes, and she will be coming with us now." The first cop grabs my arm. I panic and rip my arm away, stumbling back into Alec who catches me.
It's like a switch is flipped in Alec and the nervous, polite man I'd recently met is gone.
He steps in front of me, his whole body tight with tension.
"Laney has filed for emancipation from her father, in which a temporary guardian has been appointed to her. Considering her eighteenth birthday is in three days, it is highly unlikely that an outcome will be decided with the courts before then," Alec says smoothly. "If you have any questions or would like to verify our claims then feel free to call Laney's lawyer, James Hunt." Alec hands the second cop a business card.
The mouthy cop suddenly turns white and Thomas nods slightly.
"We will do just that," Thomas nods. "Might I be able to ask for your name, sir?" He asks Alec.
