She nodded.
I grabbed my loafers, shot Daphne one more hysterical look, and followed Arisono into the hallway.
“Are we going outside?” I asked, unable to stop the question.
She stared at me as if I’d sprouted two extra heads. “Absolutely not. You’re not allowed out after curfew.”
Why did she act so shocked?
She had seen me come in soaking wet with Enzo.
It proved that her concern for her students was very limited.
As genuine as mine was over which color mac and cheese was best.
My hand smoothed over the banister as we walked downstairs, through the vestibule, and to an open door. She motioned for me to go inside, and I peeked in before entering.
She shut the door, trapping me in with her.
“I warned you about mythree strikespolicy.” Her voice was surprisingly neutral as she positioned herself behind the desk.
“I know, and I’m so sorry,” I replied. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”
She looked like she believed me as much as one would believe Enzo was on track to enter the pearly gates of heaven.
The headmaster was smart. She knew I wasn’t some out-of-control student. She also knew that Enzo was tormenting me. I was positive she knew Enzo had taken me outside and was waiting for me to come back inside.
Her role was supposed to protect her students, not aid in their suffering. But alas, my stepfather had enrolled me in the school from hell.
“Do you want to be expelled?” she asked.
“No,” I rushed out, though secretly hoping she would.
She clasped her hands in front of her. “Let me remind youagain,then. I expect you to follow the university’s rules. No going out after curfew.”
I bowed my head. “Yes, ma’am.”
She flinched, as if I’d called her old to her face.
“One more strike,Blair.”
“One more strike won’t happen. I swear it.”
One more strike.
Two down, all because of Enzo.
“You are free to leave now.” As if she was still pissed about my strikes and my calling her ma’am, she dismissively waved her hand through the air.
She didn’t need to tell me twice. I fled the office and hurried back to my dorm.
Though I was confused about our conversation.
Does she want me to obey Enzo, or does she want me to stay away from him?
“Told you late-night Arisono visits are never good,” Daphne said on my second return to our dorm that night.
Both times, I had been just as freaked out.
