Phone buzzes on the floor, jolting me awake before I’m even outta bed. Fumble for it, groggy as hell, fingers clumsy as I pick up. Dean’s office again—voice flat, mechanical, telling me to haul ass in for a hearing today. “Investigation stuff,” she says, no feeling. “Ten sharp.” Gut twists hard, but I mutter an “okay” and hang. Knew this was coming—suspension wasn’t the end, braced for more—but it still lands like a brick. That cold, final tone sticks, chewing at me as I try to shake the sleep fog.
Roll outta bed, head heavy, drag on jeans and a hoodie without a thought. Day’s already too damn much. Downstairs, Alex is at the counter, sipping coffee, staring into nothing. Should feel like home, him being there, but it don’t. Way he’s sitting—off, distant—makes it all feel like it’s slipping further outta reach.
“They want me at school,” I say, keeping it short. “Hearing about the charges.”
Looks up slow, nods—barely a spark in him. “Want me to come?” Voice quiet, shaky, like he’s not sure he’s up for it.
Stop dead, his words hanging there. That wobble in his tone—I can’t dodge it. Need him with me. Need someone still in my corner, someone who ain’t ready to ditch me. Shit’s been weird between us, but right now, I need him more than ever.
“Yeah,” I say fast. “If you can.”
“Okay,” he says, setting his mug down with a clink. “I’ll be there.” No smile, no warmth—just the bare bones of it, but it’s something. Grab my jacket, head out, him trailing behind. Walk to the truck’s silent, cold air doing jack to clear my head. He drives, and I stare out the window—town blurs by, all muted grays, streets I know but don’t feel mine no more. People eyeball us, whispers trailing, but I shove it down. This hearing’s my shot—gonna fix this, clear my name. Tell myself the truth’s coming out today.
Pull into the admin building lot, Alex parks, turns to me. “I’ll wait here,” he says, tapping the wheel, twitchy. “Go handle it.”
Frown, chest squeezing tight. “You’re not coming in?” Voice cracks—hate that. He said he’d be there, didn’t he? Why’s he backing off now?
Shakes his head, eyes stuck on the dash. “You’ll be fine. Just tell ‘em the truth.”
Flat as hell, like he’s reading a script he don’t believe. Clock’s ticking—wanna fight him on it, but words won’t come. Nothing left to say. Nod too quick, hop out, leave him there without a look back. Heart’s in my throat as I head in alone. Campus air bites cold, admin building hits with polished floors, disinfectant stink, and that low buzz of lights. Feel small, like I’m fading out. Find the dean’s office, hands sweaty, knock shaky.
Dean Harris is behind his big desk, like always. Two others with him—some admin chick I don’t know and a suit, probably college board. Won’t look at me, just shuffle papers, murmur low. Sit when Harris points, backpack heavy at my feet. Silence chokes the room.
“We’ve decided, James,” Harris starts, voice sharp, official. Hands folded like it’s already over. “Investigation’s done. Evidence is solid—you’re expelled, permanent. Starts now.”
Words slam me like a fist. Breath snags hard. “Expelled?” I choke, leaning in. “No—hold up, I didn’t do it! Those papers, emails—ain’t mine!”
Cuts me off, hard and cold. “Too much against you. Emails, deposits—it’s done, Jamie. Proof’s there—your account, your name. Police report seals it.”
“No, that’s not me!” I yell, hands shaking now. “Someone set me up—I’ve been saying it! Check the account—I don’t got one like that!”
Suit guy looks up, bored as hell. “We did. It’s yours. Opened last month. Five grand, tied to exam sales. Airtight.” Dismissive, like he’s heard this a hundred times and don’t give a damn.
Heart’s racing, scrambling for something—anything. “That’s impossible. I didn’t—” Voice breaks, and I stop, sunk. They ain’t hearing me. Minds made up.
Harris leans back, sighs like I’m a chore. “Not up for debate,” he says, done. “College can’t keep you. Goes public today—announcement’s out this afternoon. You’re finished.”
Slump in the chair, his words crushing me. Expelled. Permanent. Public. It’s gone—friends, future, all of it. “What about my side?” I whisper, barely getting it out. “Don’t that count?”
Sighs again, patience gone. “Your side don’t change proof. Go home, James. We’re done.” Nods at the door—end of story. Admin lady’s up, nudging me out, silent as a ghost.
Grab my bag, legs like jelly, head spinning, stumble into the hall. Chest hurts with every breath, like I’m caving in. Out—done. Everything here, gone. Look around—hope Alex changed his mind, came in—but it’s empty. Said I needed him, and he’s nowhere. Eyes sting, blink hard, force my feet to move. Ain’t breaking down here.
Hit the outside, cold biting my skin, gray sky pressing down. Don’t know where to go, what to do. Town’s gonna know soon—everyone will. Expelled for shit I didn’t do. Walk slow, shoes dragging, trying to breathe, hold it together.
Reach the lot, stop dead. Alex is there, in the truck, hands on the wheel, staring straight. Thought he’d be in there, fighting for me, standing by me. But he’s out here, still, quiet. Walk over, heart hammering, stop by the window. Knuckles white, gripping so tight the veins pop. Won’t look at me. Won’t move. Just sits, holding something in.
“Alex?” I say, voice wobbly. No answer. No glance. Face blank, unreadable, but those hands—locked, tense, like he’s pissed or scared or both. Don’t know what it means, and that scares me more than the dean’s words ever could.