Crime and Punishment
Bas's pov
I was walking around Dalton just being myself. And yes, I mean arrogant, prideful, boastful and mean. But that's the charm of Sebastian Smythe. Everyone knew that was part of my personality, and though I managed to break some spirits and make them cry, most people didn't give my insults a second thought, or just quipped one right back.
They got my sense of humor. But not everyone did.
The headmaster of Dalton Academy, Headmaster James, stormed up to me after seeing that my harmless teasing had left Thad in tears, over a simple, rundown bike, just because I said it looked like the tires were about to fall off; and all but dragged me to his office; an elegant room, decked in red and gold, with a crystal chandelier, and demanded I sit down. After a second look at his face, I obliged, silent. Dalton had a zero tolerance policy for bullying; and if my harmless teasing was seen as bullying; I would no doubt be expelled.
He broke the silence "Why would you tease Thad like that, Sebastian? That bike was his brothers'. Before he went into the military. Now his brother got caught in the middle of a crossfire and is in intensive care." I fell silent. I had no idea. "Sir, I didn't know!"
He sighed "But still, why tease him in the first place? And this is not the first time you have behaved this way." I gulped "I'm expelled, right?"
He sighed again and shook his head "What good would that do? You'd just mistreat your new classmates and other schools don't prioritize anti-bullying measures like Dalton. You need to learn a lesson, Sebastian. You walk the halls like you are so all high and mighty, the king of the world just because your parents are rich and famous and you've seen the whole world and grew up in most of the countries; still having estates in most of them; you think that gives you the right to belittle other students. And most of Dalton's other students come from less affluent, but still recognizably rich families; you need a wake up call. And I think I know what would be just perfect."
I don't know what scared me more. His uncomfortably probing accusations or his statement about my punishment. I sat in his office, drumming my fingers on the armchair and wondering what my punishment could be, all while trying to get his accusing words out of my head. He was wrong anyway. Right?
A few agonizing minutes later, he returned, a broad smile on his face making me highly uneasy. He's about to punish me, why is he grinning like a kid in a candy store full of Belgium chocolate?!
I sat there patiently, waiting for him to tell me what my punishment was; and he finally spoke
" You know how Dalton has that experimental program, almost like a semester abroad, but between schools?" I nodded, not sure where he was going with this, and growing more anxious by the second as a terrorizing theory slowly started to develop in the back of my mind like one of those worst -case-scenarios things.
Just when I thought he was going to put my mind at ease, he revealed
"You're spending a month at McKinley High; living with the school lunch lady, Millie Rose; and her daughter Marley. Maybe experiencing a lifestyle so different from your own and seeing what people have to do just to get by and how they suffer will give you a new perspective on life, and you'll think twice before insulting someone."
I jumped up "What?! Sir, this is preposterous! You can't do this!" He crossed his arms and I piped down, plopping back down on my seat, crossing my arms in defeat; and he said " I could give you two months of janitorial service here instead..." after hearing that, I decided to stay with the Rose's. I had seen Marley from a distance in competitions; the most memorable one being the one she fainted at due to her struggles with eating disorders. But I had never even seen her mother, and this would be my first time interacting with either one. I also would be around the New Directions members, thank goodness it was not competition season. It would start once I returned. While at McKinley, I'd also be around quarterback Finn Hudson, diva Rachel Berry, and my secret crush, Santana Lopez. This was going to be an interesting month...