Chapter 37 Chapter: 37

Chapter 37 Chapter: 37
ADDISON

I knew this was going to be bad, and when I finally glanced at Principal Harrison, I knew it was.

The big man looked as though he was sitting on a chair a size too small. His face was unusually stern, his hands folded before him.

“Come inside and take a seat, Addison,” he said gravely.

I walked in slowly, took the seat beside Angela, and sat down. Placing my hands on my thigh and willing my heart to slow down its beat lest it jump out of my chest, while I wait for the principal to tell me why I'm here.

“I take it you know why I've called you here,” Principal Harrison said, as I should already know what they discussed when I wasn't around.

“Sorry, sir, but I have no idea why I'm here. Or what’s going on,” I replied, my voice smaller than I intended.

Principal Harrison exhaled. “Addison, as you're well aware, any sort of fighting and bullying is strictly prohibited in this school. Angela here has brought something very serious to my attention.” He nodded at her.

I frown, then look at Angela. She sniffed, new tears rolling down her face, then, slowly, as though she didn't want to, she quietly pulled down her hoodie from her head.

I choked on air, utterly shocked, my brows shooting up to my hairline at the smooth shine of Angela's bald head.

“I woke up and found my hair completely shaved,” she said shakily. “And I know you're the only one who would do this to me, you hated me ever since you knew I was Shepherd's girlfriend.”

I blinked, astounded. “What?” I asked. “I hated you?” I glanced at the principal, who was clearly waiting for my confession.

“Sir, I would never, I don't know what she's talking about,” I said before turning back to a now sobbing Angela.

“My God, Angela! What the hell? Why are you doing this to me? You bullied me, and now you're accusing me of something you clearly did to yourself so that you could use it to frame me.”

“Heard that principal, Addison, believes I bullied her due to a misunderstanding,” Angela sobs harder as she continues talking. “I accidentally spilled my juice on her yesterday at lunch, and that's why she decided to shave my hair to get back at me.”

“Is that true, Addison. Did you do it as revenge?” Principal Harrison asked.

“No!” I defended. “That's absurd, Sir, I would never do that, even though Angela bullied me. I'm not the type to do this kind of thing.”

“Don't listen to her, sir. I have evidence.”

“Miss Campbell, this is a serious offense; it violates our rules of school and behavioral conduct. Tell the truth now, or I'll be forced to take grave action; this could result in your expulsion.”

Angela pulled out her phone with trembling fingers and handed it to the principal.

“Someone recorded that when they overheard her and her friends talking about how they were going to get revenge and send it to me. I never believed it, so I didn't take it seriously or report her.”

Principal Harrison took the phone and started the audio. My blood ran cold as a voice that sounded exactly like mine and Jess started talking, cursing Angela and threatening to do all kinds of things to her.

My heartbeat roared in my ears.

“That…that wasn't me,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Sir, you have to believe me, that's not me. Someone clearly fabricated this fake audio. I'm sure Angela shaved her own hair just to frame me!”

Angela let out a broken laugh, “How stupid do you think I am? Do you honestly think I would go to the lengths of shaving my own hair, just to frame you?”

“It's clearly not me. We don't even live in the same dorms. So how could I have done this to you?”

“You know exactly how you did it, Addison. You’re the only one who hates me enough to do something so terrible.”

“That’s not true!” I shot back, panic rising.

“Silence!” Principal Harrison yelled. “Both of you will shut up now.”

“Sir, you can ask Christy; she and the others saw Addison in our dorm late last night while she was sneaking out of my room.”

My head whipped toward her. “That's obviously a lie!”

Principal Harrison raised his hand.

“Enough.”

He looked directly at Christy. “Is that so, Christy? Did you see Addison coming out of Angela's room?” Principal Harrison asked, startling Christy, who had been distracted by something on her phone. She quickly shoved it back into her skirt pocket, with a nervous little laugh.

“Sir? What did you say?” she asked, fidgeting as she looked between our faces.

“Angela said you witnessed Addison coming out of her room late last night. Is that true?” Principal Harrison repeats.

Christy glanced at Angela and swallowed.

“Go on, tell him the truth,” Angela snapped.

My heart pounded because I knew she was definitely going to lie; Christy and Angela are birds of the same feather. This was obviously their plan; they are going to get me kicked out of Brighton.

“What? I don't know what you're talking about,” Christy replied, face blank. “I'm only here to show my support as your friend.”

My eyes rounded in shock as Angela choked on her tongue. “Christy, what the hell are you doing? Tell the truth now!”

Angela yelled, clearly enraged. “I'm sorry, Angie, this is serious, I won't lie even for you, I never said anything about Addison.”

“Sir, I promise you she's…not telling the truth…Christy, why are you lying?” Angela stuttered, then she turned to one of the blondes. “Bellamy, Lucy, you guys were also witnesses; you said you saw her, too.”

“We never said that; you told us to frame Addison, but we never agreed to do it. We know it was wrong, sir, framing an innocent girl. We tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen.”

Angela flinched like she’d been struck. Then she finally snapped. “You fucking bitches, how dare you do this to me?!” she screamed and tried to lunge at them.

“That's enough!” Principal Harrison yelled, slamming his fist on his table, his expression hard.

“You'll fucking behave yourself, Angela, or I'll be forced to suspend you. This is my office, not a fighting ring.”

“They're lying, Sir, I swear to you they're not telling you the truth,” Angela sobs harder, “They're the ones who told me they saw Addison coming out of my room. I swear I didn't make it up, you have to believe.”

“All of you leave my office now,” Principal Harrison ordered, leaning back in his chair.

“Everyone except Addison and Angela, the rest of you can go, but know that we will be conducting a full investigation. And if I find out you lied to me, you'll be suspended from Brighton.”

The words rang in my skull, like a death knell. Christy, and the two blondes I now know as Bellamy and Lucy look at each other and nod at the Principal before they quickly slip out of the office.”

Angela’s shoulders shook as she continued to sob, and for the first time, I wondered if she truly believed I shaved her head to get back at her.

But if she didn't do it, and I know I didn't, then who did this and why? Could it be Christy and the others who did it and decided to frame me? Then why did they change their mind at the last minute? Why not go through with it?

Principal Harrison fixed his eyes on us. I could feel the weight of his anger pressing on my shoulders.

“For the final time, I'm giving you both a chance to come clean. This is a distinguished academy, and this kind of behavior is intolerable here, so are you going to tell me the truth or would you rather I investigate myself?” he said, voice stern.

“Because if I find out the truth, the guilty party will be permanently expelled from this school.” Angela didn't even raise her head as she continued to sob.

“I have nothing more to say, sir. I've already told you the truth. I'm completely innocent.”

He nodded. “Fine, you can leave my office.”

I got up and walked out of the principal's office. Angela was still inside, crying. Jess and the others were waiting near the office when I came out.

To my surprise, it's already a break period. Denise saw me first and alerted the others. They all rushed towards me, but didn't say anything until we were a little distance away from the principal's office.

“What's going on, Addie? Why did the principal call you? We saw Christy and Angela's other minions coming out a little while ago. Were they the reason you got summoned?” Jess asked.

“Yes, someone shaved Angela's head, and she apparently thought it was me.”

“Wait, what?!” Jess shouts. “Someone shaved Angela's hair?”

“Lower your voice,” I whispered when I noticed the students walking past us.

“Who? How? Where and when did that happen?” Lia asked, eyes wide. The others nodded.

I frowned. “How should I know who did it, but it happened last night.”

Jess grabbed my hands. “How low was it shaved? Is it like a low cut, did they hack it, or is it bald?” They all stared at me with wide expectant eyes.

I shake my head, frustrated. “God, Jess. Can't you see how stressed I really am? She's fucking accusing me of doing that to her, and I swear the principal looked as if he believed her for a time, that was until Christy and the others, who were her witnesses, refused to accuse me as the culprit. Besides, how's that even relevant?”

“Of course, we’re worried about you, and it is relevant. Just answer the question, Addison. And did you say Christy went against Angela?” Jess asked, and I could see her brain turning in those green eyes.

“Yes, she, Bellamy, and Lucy deny seeing me in Angela's room when Angela previously said they were her witnesses.”

“That's really strange, they're scared of Angela and do whatever she says, so why did they betray her this time?”

I nodded as I started walking, and they began walking with me. “What's even more strange is how they defended me; I don't understand why they did that or what their angle was.”

“Come on, let's go to the cafeteria, we can figure it out there while we get something to eat, I'm hungry,” Denise said, rubbing her stomach.

“Foodie,” Lia teased. “Denise is right. We need to find a place to sit and solve this issue. I'm hungry too.” Denise teasingly hit her.

Honestly, I'm not in the mood for anything. I'm still too shocked and confused about what just happened, but I followed. My brain is whirring with different thoughts. I’m so worried Angela will fabricate more false evidence and have me expelled.

If things hadn't turned out the way they did at the last second, I would have probably been expelled already. I felt like the principal, for whatever reason, wasn't even trying to really find out the truth.

Like he'd wanted to find me guilty so he could send me packing, and it kinda makes sense that he would side with Angela after all her family is one of the biggest sponsors in Brighton.

But that didn't mean I wasn't disappointed that even the principal could be bent under the pressure of the affluent.

“You still haven't told us how low Angela's hair is now,” Jess asked again. God, she's tenacious.

“Bald,” I said, stifling my laughter as we stepped inside the dining hall.

Now that I wasn't under pressure from the principal's eyes, I could actually find amusement in seeing Angela like that.

“Like bald bald?” Emma asked, eyes wide with disbelief, and they'd all pause at my answer. “Well, is there any other kind of bald? Let me put it this way, she's as bald as a shiny new coin, as bald as bald can get.”
Jess, wicked girl that she is, burst into a fit of laughter, and the others joined her cackling. I couldn't help it. I started laughing with them, and we laughed so hard that tears were literally running down our cheeks.

That was until Emma suddenly sobered up and shouted. “Oh. My. God!” her eyes wide with shock.

“What? What is it?” we all asked, looking around in case we missed what had suddenly had her freaking out. She whirled towards me. “It’s Shepherd.”

I frowned. “What?” I looked at the others as a slow realization gleamed in their eyes while I stood there, clueless. “Emma? Jess. What’s going on?” I asked. “What did Shepherd do?”

Jessica grabbed my hand, hurrying me to our scholarship table in the corner. We quickly sat down. “Can you please say something you freaking me the fuck out,” I muttered.

“Oh, Addison,” Jess began, leaning close, her elbows on the table, and the others also leaned in closer.

“Remember yesterday, when Shepherd was talking about Angela breaking one of his rules?”

I nodded, feeling my stomach twist. I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever the hell they’re going to say. “You never did explain what that means.”

“So basically every student that comes to Brighton has to seek protection from the king and his council, so Shepherd and his friends basically, it’s not like they have to report to him or anything.

They just give out their full information to Cory, you know, the guy who follows Shepherd around like a lost puppy sometimes?”

“So everyone just agrees to give him their information, just like that, why? What for?” They all shrugged. “We don’t care, it’s not like he ever does anything with it, honestly, I just think it’s one of those dump power moves,” Emma said.

“But doing so gives us protection from them; they don’t bother us ever, unless of course someone went out of their way to piss them off or they unfortunately cross Angela, everyone knew she was the true bully,” Jess continued.

“Shepherd was the only one who controlled her; she feared him. Everyone knows to follow his rules, even her. The punishment for breaking his rules varies from person to person, which is why I think Shepherd is behind what happened to Angela.”

“So, let me get this straight: you guys all gave your information to Shepherd for his protection? How come I’m only hearing about this, and why the hell did you not tell me?” I was confused by all this new information. Everything felt so unbelievable.

“Because it was already too late for you,” she said, “You literally crashed into the guy your first day here, and that sealed your fate, because the only other person you can’t get protection from is Shepherd himself.”

“So, I’m screwed, is what you’re saying?” They all grimace. Before Jess grabbed my hand, flashing me a big smile.

“What the hell are you freaking out for? You literally have the king of Brighton Academy as your boyfriend, and he just takes revenge on Angela for you, girl, you’re the safest girl in this school right now.” The others nodded enthusiastically.

Then why don’t I feel safe right now? They just told me they think that my fake boyfriend could be the one responsible for shaving his ex’s hair. What happens when I make him angry? Will he also shave my hair, or do something even worse?

Fear choked me. Shepherd really is a psycho; I was right all along. “Why the hell are you only telling me this now?” I asked, panicking.

Just as hands snake over my shoulders, and wind around my neck, thick muscular hands, manly tatted hands.

Not choking me, just there, possessive. The girls completely froze, as silence swept over the table and the entire dining hall.

“Hello, babes,” Shepherd whispers in my ear, making me shiver, and despite the new revelation and fear coursing through me, my stomach flutters wildly.