I tell myself it could be nothing. They could be here for any number of reasons.
But it doesn’t stop my heart from pounding.
My thoughts are interrupted when Cullen’s name is called. He crosses the stage, shakes Principal Ward’s hand, and accepts his diploma with a smile. As he passes me, he winks, and I can’t help but grin.Fuck, I love him.
A few more names are called, then I hear,“Hadley Grace Daniels.”
She saunters across the stage, takes her diploma, and walks right past me without a glance. I let out a small sigh of disappointment. I thought maybe the speech would reach her, but I should’ve known better.
“Hudson Grey Daniels.”
I snap to attention, then walk across the stage, shake Principal Ward’s hand, and accept my diploma. I turn to return to my seat, only to be stopped by the two officers blocking my way.
My heart stutters.
The music stops, and the hair on the back of my neck rises. Everyone’s attention shifts to the two cops blocking the way back to my seat.
“Hudson Daniels?” the shorter of the two asks.
“Yes,” I say, voice tight with apprehension.
The taller cop grabs my forearm while the shorter one takes my diploma. The tall one,Johnston, as his name tag reads, spins me around and pulls my arms behind my back. Gasps ripple through the crowd, and my vision starts to tunnel. I can feel a panic attack taking root.
What is happening?
Principal Ward rushes over, trying to intervene. “What is the meaning of this? Hudson is one of our best students. There must be some mistake!”
The officer ignores him, tightening the cold metal cuffs around my wrists. My pulse spikes, the bite of steel making this real.
I snap my head toward the crowd when I hear yelling, and see Cullen rushing toward me, my parents not far behind.
Cull reaches me first.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Let him go!” He tries to grab me, but Johnston yanks me back, causing the cuffs to dig into my skin.
My parents are right behind him. Hadley stands just off to the side, eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
“That’s my son, and I demand you tell me why he’s being arrested in the middle of his graduation ceremony!” my dad snaps.
“You’re lucky we let him get his diploma at all,” the shorter cop sneers.
Who pissed in his cornflakes?
“Who pissed in your cornflakes?” Cullen bites back. I would laugh that our brains are in sync, but I’m too busy fighting off this fucking anxiety that's bubbling in my gut.
“Cullen, keep your mouth shut.” His dad appears beside him, gripping his shoulder. Cullen’s face is murderous. He’sclenching and unclenching his fists like he’s seconds from swinging.
“You’ve yet to answer me,” Dad barks. “Why the hell is my son being arrested?”
The short cop smirks, clearly enjoying this. “Your precious son here has a warrant out for his arrest in Buncombe County. The sheriff there can explain the charges. I’m not at liberty to say more.”
The taller cop sighs, clearly annoyed. “Give it a rest, Shufflebottom.”
Shufflebottom?I glance at the badge. Sure enough, it’s right there, etched in fake gold. I’d be bitter too if I were short, ugly, and named Shufflebottom.
Johnston turns to my dad, his voice more subdued. “Sir, your son has been accused of rape. You can follow us to the station. If we get there in time, he may get to see the judge for bail.”
The group explodes in a wave of angry, horrified chatter, but all I can hear is that one word.
