Page 54 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“I slept in the bush.” He looks at me like I have lost my mind. “Crazy night.”
“Maybe you should clean up a little,” he says pointing to the door. “You’re not even in uniform. You’re going to get in so much trouble when someone sees you.”
“I can leave and not come back,” I snap, too tired to deal with anymore Knox drama for one day. “Besides, you’re a perfect prefect. Are you going to give me a uniform slip?”
“There’s a bathroom across the hall and here,” he says, throwing a shirt at me. “I keep a spare here in case I ever need it.”
He doesn’t offer an explanation as to why he would ever need a spare shirt in a music room, and I don’t ask. I’d just like to go one day without Knox drama. Scratch that; I want to go one damn day without any drama full stop. I take his spare school-issue button up shirt and go across the hall to the bathroom.
I laugh when I see my appearance. I have surface scratches on my face - which is smeared with mud - and my hair does in fact have a few twigs and leaves in it. I strip from my filthy clothes and wipe myself down with the paper towels provided to dry your hands. It’s not much better, but at least the mud has gone. I slip into Slate’s shirt, it covers everything I need it to. I carefully take my dirty clothes with me back to the room he practices in, and dump them by the door.
Slate visibly swallows when he takes me in as I walk closer.
“Wow, you look amazing in my shirt… Pity about you being with Branson, it kind of ruined you.”
“For fuck suck, will you all get over it! I didn’t fuck Baxter! I wouldn’t do that to Kalen after spending the night with him. Contrary to what you all believe, I really like your brother, he’s funny and sweet.”
“He is adamant about what he saw.”
“Actually, he is adamant about what Baxter made him think he saw. Do you think it’s really a coincidence that Kalen knew where we were? If you must know, it was a punishment for me. I fucked up where Baxter is concerned and he was letting me know it. I think it was just some kind of sick and twisted bonus that he could stick it to Kalen at the same time.”
“Good luck convincing Kalen of that. But I can see it. What did you do to piss him off?”
“Stole his money and borrowed his bike.”
Slate laughs. “I knew I liked you. His bike is his world. I doubt he gave a fuck about the money. But the bike…”
“I returned it and I took care of it.”
“Obviously. You wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale if anything had happened to his precious ride.”
“So will you talk to Kalen for me?” I ask, hopeful.
“Not a chance. Now let’s practice this song. We don’t have much rehearsal time before the showcase.”
Slate goes to the piano and I take my spot beside him. We rehearse over and over again until my voice feels hoarse and he calls it a day.
After we pack up, Slate finds me a bag for my dirty clothes. I wait until I know everyone will be in class before I make my exit. I know I will get in trouble for skipping a class, but there's no way I can turn up in just a shirt. A man’s shirt at that. The punishment would be worse.
The paths to my dorm are empty. I have to cut across the English buildings, and I know I may get a few odd looks from those looking out of the windows, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
My day gets worse.
Kalen happens to look out the window as I walk by. I put my head down and keep walking.
“Amelie.”
Did I mention it got worse? Like, a lot worse.
“Yes, Mr Knox?” I say turning to face Sawyer but refusing to lift my head and meet his gaze.
“Are you okay?” he asks gently like I’m a wild animal about to freak out.
“No, Sawyer, I’m not okay.” Tears start to flow. “I am having a shit day...a shit few days actually.”
“Come with me,” he says. Usually, I would put up a fight, refuse to go, but all my will power is lost. Losing Kalen hurts. I miss him and it’s only been a day. I follow Sawyer to his office and he locks the door after he follows me inside.
He sits in his spot and takes out a notepad. I sit in the chair opposite his desk, plastic bag full of dirty clothes on my lap.
