Chapter Two: Dethroned

You're a good girl, Cheyenne, you're a good girl. You did nothing wrong. You're a good girl…

I've been repeating that same sentence for the past 45 minutes I've been sitting in Headmaster Cromwell's office. But after seeing Sabine, Tiffany, Astrid, and Reed go in I realized I was doomed.

Even if Sabine didn't tell on me out of revenge or Constance didn't tell on me out of her scared nerves, I knew Reed would. I didn't worry to much about Rose or Tiffany or London because they knew you don't tell on a Billings girl. But Reed doesn't know anything, so I'm pretty sure she did.

The door opened and out walked Reed, head held high, probably feeling good for putting me in my place. As I got up and walked to the door I just kept reminding myself that I was just following the Tradition at Billings House, fulfilling my duties. I was a good girl, I did nothing wrong. I walked in and sat down in the chair across from Headmaster and Mr. White. Headmaster looked up, saw me there and sighed.

"Now, Ms. Martin. Is there by any chance you could tell me what you were doing to those poor girls back in Billings?" he looked at me expectantly.

"What makes you think that it was me?"

He sighed and rubbed his forehead, then slowly placed his hand back on the table. He looked so tired, I just wanted to ask him if we could forget about this all and go to sleep. But I knew better, there was no chance of that happening.

"So you want me to believe that you weren't the one handing out diamond "B" 's and you weren't the one who had so rudely made you point about not wanting new dorm mates and you weren't the one yelling at Ms. Brennan about how she doesn't deserve to be living in Billings and how if it was up to you she would be gone? I'm sorry Ms. Martin but all the evidence is there. You have to accept the punishment."

My mouth fell open. He had to be kidding. "What punishment! What did I ever do!"

"You were the ringleader. You were the president. The queen. Whatever you ladies call it you went against my will and made Billings a sorority house again. I'm truly sorry Ms. Martin but I'm going to have to expel you."

I stopped breathing. Leave. Easton. This place was my life. My home. I couldn't go anywhere else! I wouldn't go anywhere else! This was my senior year! I was so close… I have to at least fight for it.

I quickly whipped away the warm tears that had started falling down my cheeks. "Please Headmaster Cromwell! There has to be some kind of loop hole! It's my senior year! I've worked so long and so hard!" I was sobbing hard now. Couldn't he feel my pain? Or was he really the heartless man everyone said he was.

"I'm incredibly sorry Ms. Martin. I know how hard you've worked but you didn't listen to my warning. I know this school is everything to you it was to your mother too but if I make this exception the students will want other exceptions too and I just can't have that. You have no clue how sorry I am…"

I glanced up from my hands, full of tears. "Please, headmaster. I'll do anything."

He shook his head and stood up. "Please except my apologies. Cheyenne Martin, from here on now you are expelled from Easton Academy. Please back you bags tonight. You will leave early tomorrow morning. Good night Ms. Martin."

I couldn't take it any more. I ran out of his office, shrieking tears and sobs. On my way out I overheard Mr. White saying to Headmaster Cromwell, "… well, the Billings Queen has been dethroned… forever…"

For once, Mr. White was right. The president has lost, all because of Reed.