She shakes her head at me and proceeds to walk around me to lead me over to her tiny cubicle—one of the many smaller spaces located inside the administrative office. There aren’t any doors on the cubicles, which are separated by tall glass walls and a cut-out to give the illusion of an office. That’s why I always come first thing in the morning, before any other students show up.
I don’t want anyone hearing that I, the chancellor’s son and captain of the hockey team, am failing. It’s not a good look and certainly won’t go over well with dear old dad.
Her space is bare save for the essentials—a desk, chairs, a computer, and a printer in the corner. You can tell she tried to spruce up the place with pictures of her family on her desk and a colorful calendar on the left wall that is from two years prior. I don’t know if she just forgot or simply gave up. This place—the people—can suck the life from your bones.
“Looks like somebody is stuck in the past,” I tease.
She frowns and then follows my eyes to the outdated spread. “Focus, Mr. Williamsburg.”
I tip my head. “Yes, ma’am.”
She pulls up something on her computer screen and then looks me dead in the eye. “I’m just going to get straight to it. The makeup exam—”
“I know, I know. I missed it. But practice ran late and, with national championships on the line, it was kind of important that I not dip out early. It was unavoidable,” I explain nonchalantly.
“And so is graduation,” she deadpans. “Now, you promised me at the end of the last semester that you would turn it around. I’ve pulled strings to get last term exams rescheduled so that you can walk with your class. And I’ve kept this from your father in favor of that promise. This only works if you do, Mr. Williamsburg.”
“Okay. So, I’ll take the test.” I shrug. “No big deal.”
She breathes in again, this time closing her eyes, seemingly to settle whatever I’ve stirred up inside her. “It’s a very big deal, and you need to start seeing that.”
“Fine.”
Ms. Johnson only stares at me with a look of discontent. Damn, maybe she’s survived working here this long because my father rubbed off on her. I swear she is staring at me with that same deadly look he gives me.
But I’ll take her over him any day. And a part of me believes that she knows that. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have helped me this far, going out of her way to bend the rules for me. Maybe she knows just how ruthless our esteemed chancellor gets when it comes to these types of indiscretions.
All he cares about is the image, keeping up appearances, and making sure the Williamsburg legacy lives on. The last thing I need is for him to find out I’ve fucked up yet again. Especially after throwing an unsanctioned Selection Sunday rager to await the NCHC announcements. Even more so because said rager resulted in a trashed estate, cops, and wild accusations.
If he knew his only son was failing, he’d kill me, and they’d never find my body. Maybe in death, he can ensure I never stray from the path he’s forged for me.
“You have another test scheduled for tomorrow.”
There’s adingin the distance, one that says someone has entered the office, but I can’t be bothered to check. The only thing that matters is getting Ms. Johnson to type on her little computer and make this all go in my favor.
“I can’t. Practice.”
“You have practice at four.” She stares at me. “That’s why this one has been scheduled for the morning. Since this time seems to work best for you.”
I let out a sigh. “All right.”
She shakes her head. “If your grades get any lower, my hands will be tied, and I’ll have no choice but to recommend academic probation.”
I tune out everything but those two words—academic probation. Just the thought lights a fire under my ass.
I sit up in my seat, sweat starting to bead above my brow. “You can’t do that.”
“I can, and I will.”
“Come on, Ms. Johnson. There has to be something else.”
“This is it.”
“I can’t go on probation. Probation means being benched for the rest of the season. This is our chance to win nationals. There will be NHL scouts at these games.”
“Then I suggest you take this more seriously than you have been. I’ll hold off on my recommendation until after your exam tomorrow. If it’s reported to me that you didn’t show up, I will submit the paperwork, and your father will unfortunately have to be notified.”
“You don’t understand. This is my future.”
