Chapter 19
Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock…
An old clock was constantly ticking, counting second after second while Chloe was waiting. She already waited for god-knows how long and those ticking sounds were a permanent reminder of that, and that almost drove her crazy.
'Since when does Wells have this fuckin' clock?! I never realized it before, and I spend a lotta freakin' time in his office. He probably only got it, so that he could use it as a torture instrument, breakin' poor students minds so that they'd spill everythin' that he wants to know.'
Having had enough of sitting around, Chloe got up and walked straight towards the source of this unnerving sound.
The clock in question was made out of dark wood and decorated with several ornaments. You actually would find such a piece of woodcraft in old mansions or manor houses, but in the principal's office…?
"It's a cuckoo's clock from Switzerland," chimed Mr. Wells' loud booming voice from behind, startling Chloe and caused her to turn around. "A Christmas present from my mother."
Chloe's reply to that was just a fake smile, paired with a thumbs-up. Knowing nowadays students pretty well, the broad, black-skinned man simply closed the door and walked over to his seat, saying plainly "I don't expect your generation to appreciate such craftsmanship, though for me, it's pure art."
"C-c-cool," she eventually managed to answer, sitting down again.
Giving her a nod of appreciation, Mr. Wells cleared his throat before starting the conversation.
"Miss Price, I'm glad to see you doing better after all these tragic events. We were actually shocked to hear that such a horrible incident did indeed happen to one of our students."
Though Chloe knew that these words of concern had just been protocol and nothing more, she decided to act like those words meant something, simply in order to uphold the peace.
"Th-th-thank you, M-Mr. Wells."
"Now to the reason I invited you here," he then continued. "I want to discuss this letter you sent me a few days ago."
From inside a folder on his desk, the principal brought forth a computer printed sheet of paper.
"In this very letter you're apologizing for every single infraction from your side and ask for an immediate reinstatement into active school duty. Is that correct?"
Giving Wells a determinant nod, Chloe stuttered "Y-y-yes, s-s-sir."
But everything she was getting in return was a frown that clearly underlined the baldy man's skepticism.
"Miss Price," he eventually said, dropping the letter onto the desktop again, "this isn't the first time you're sitting here. And to be honest, I even lost count on how many times you've sat in this very chair, mocking me and not even thinking about respecting my advice and warnings I've given you. So, what has changed in contrast to the numerous times before? Or am I right in my assumption and you're just pulling my leg here again?"
If Chloe was honest to herself, then it didn't surprise her that she's met with distrust by Mr. Wells. Well, even she wouldn't trust herself if she'd been in Wells' position, despite that was wearing more casual clothes than normal. So, she kept calm and shook her head.
"N-no, s-sir. I-I-I m-mean it."
"Let's assume that I consider your offer. Are you aware that you have to catch up on a lot of missed material? No one will give you any credit in tests and essays. You'd literally be alone on this."
"I-I know," the young girl returned and then rummaged through her backpack, bringing forth a thick folder that she put on the principal's big desk. With a furrowed eyebrow, he picked up the filed pile of paper and flicked through the pages.
"So, you have already started to make up for some of your missed lectures," he mentions dryly, though a pinch of positive surprise was definitely chiming with his deep voice. And as Chloe gave him a nod, he even had a slight smile rushing over his face.
Yes, apart from her behavior, Chloe had always been an exemplary student. Straight-A and even a promising talent of the swimming team. But her infractions were something he couldn't simply ignore.
"Let me just say that I'm very positively surprised. Yet, there never was a doubt considering your academic efforts. What, however, always bothered me, was this…"
In return, Mr. Wells shoved a sheet of paper in front of the blond girl, who already recognized it as a list of every violation she'd done over the past years...which were quite a lot.
"You see, Miss Price, this is what bothers me. I know how good you can be at school, but sadly this doesn't quite fit your reputation as a troublemaker. So, how high, do you think, will be the chance that even more points will be added to this list?"
Would she add another point to the list? A very good question. A question Steph had asked her as well, just a few hours ago. Of course, the right answer would be no, but could she uphold such a promise? She knew her nature. How she tended to freak out as soon as things would get heated. But she promised. Chloe had promised Steph to keep it together, no matter what. So, the answer was simple and she would've loved to give it to the principal, if the office's door wouldn't have slammed open and the secretary barged in like a headless chicken.
"Mr. Wells," she said, being entirely upset, "something horrible happened! Three students have been involved in a fight and are injured."
Immediately, the principal jumped up, barking angrily "What?! Who?"
And as Chloe heard the names Max Caulfield and Rachel Amber, she got up as well, following Mr. Wells to the infirmary.
The bell chimed, signing the end of another boring history-lesson. Rachel didn't hate history in general, yet it was simply exhausting to learn all those dates and names of someone, who did something, someday x-what years ago, by signing a document that was named after what seemed like a random place.
"Good gosh, I already feared this lesson would never end," huffed Steph, shouldering her backpack.
Steph. She was the only reason that history was survivable. Snarky comments, paired with comments on how things would've been solved in the nerdy girl's fantasy-world was just some entertainment that easily outweighed the boredom.
"Well, let's see it like this: we're now about to get rewarded with some awesome hours of drama-lessons," replied Rachel cheerfully, patting her friend's shoulder.
"Yeah," she answered in return, not holding back her cynicism. "Managing a fuckin' school-play, where half of the staff is incompetent as fuck, is such a joy."
Giving her a soft nudge with her shoulder and a wry smirk, Rachel answered "And we both know how much you love it."
"Not as much as you, 'cause I can't remember anyone else, who spends their entire lunch break in the drama-lab, just to prepare for the next upcoming lesson."
"Touché!" was the blonde's simple reply as she took the next turn towards the staircase.
"Or are you just doing it so that you can make out with Max in the changing room when he brings you your lunch?" Steph called after her, but only received a shrug, while Rachel indeed considered this an option.
Only a few moments later, Rachel entered the drama-lab, and as always, it was deserted. No student would spend their time in a classroom during lunch break...well, except her. Rachel had made it some sort of ritual to use the lonely time to get into groove for the upcoming acting lesson. Sometimes with meditation. Sometimes by rehearsing her lines. And once, she even used this time to masturbate in the changing room, just out of curiosity and fun. But it was just this one time and she wouldn't do it again. Too high were the risks of getting caught and the thrill actually hadn't given her any additional arousal.
While joyfully speaking some of her lines for the play, Rachel began to undress. She was just happy that Victoria had accepted and stuck to their deal. Right after the holidays, the arrogant girl had went straight to Mr. Keaton, and told him that she wasn't ready to be the main actress, and in dire need of a replacement, Rachel had convinced her teacher to give her the role again, who of course couldn't refuse the tempting offer. This had now been two weeks ago and Rachel was finally back where she wanted to be: the grand stage.
Being caught in her joyful thoughts and being busy taking off her ripped jeans, Rachel barely realized that someone had entered the dressing room.
"Right on time, Max. I'm already starving and-...holy shit, Nathan?!" she suddenly exclaimed as she saw that it wasn't Max, but Nathan Prescott who was standing right in front of her, his lustful gaze fixed on her scarcely covered legs and crotch. "What the freakin' fuck are you doing here? Get out, I'm changing!"
But Nathan didn't hear what Rachel wanted from him. Right on the contrary, he even came closer, his hands and voice shaking.
"I-I tried, y'know," he stuttered in excitement, closing further in. "I tried to look at Samantha o-or other girls. But none of 'em are even reaching your class. They all look pale in comparison to you."
Freaked out by this behavior, the young girl took a step back, trying to gain some distance. But for every step she made, Nathan closed with another one in.
"Listen, Nate, I'm sorry that none of 'em are your dream girl."
"No, they…they're not. They're all pale in comparison to you," he continued to speak, closing in more and more.
"Listen, Nate, you're freakin' me out. Just…"
"Don't you see how much I love you? We're meant to be together!"
Now being cornered like a hunted tigress, Rachel saw no other option than to draw her claws. "But I'm not interested in you, okay!" she yelled, "I never was and never will be!"
Suddenly, he jumped forward, taking her shoulders in a tight, hurtful grip and pressing her against the closest make-up table.
"You don't know that!" he hissed desperately, forcing his body against the blonde's. "You just need to feel it! You need to feel our love. Lemme prove it to you. Just five minutes and I-"
He obviously didn't foresee the knee that was hammered right into his crotch, making him stop his rambling in an instant. Rachel wanted to use the chance to get away from him, but underrated her opponent's swiftness and strength, as Nathan still managed to hold that grip on her arm and ripped her to the ground.
"You stupid bitch!" he groaned, now crawling onto her. "Don't you see that I just want your best?"
Again, Rachel tried to squirm away, but received a hard smack to the face, causing her to lose focus for a moment, whereas the second hit robbed her of her senses for a few seconds. Nathan used this time to fumble with his pants.
"N-no...please…"
She tried to struggle. Tried to stop this madness. But as soon as she was about to receive the upper hand, the violent boy grabbed her short-cut blond her, lifted her head and let it smack against the floor, rendering her once more defenseless. Rachel thought that this was it. That she was about to lose her virginity to a pig like Nathan Prescott.
"Max..." she whispered in desperation under tears, and like her pleadings had been heard, the door swung open once again and Max entered the room, a tray with food in his hands.
"Hey Rach, lunch is-..."
At first, Max just stopped in his tracks, trying to become aware of the situation right in front of him. Rachel was lying on the ground, half-naked, and her face bruised while a small puddle of blood was forming under her head. Right on top of her was Nathan Prescott, whose pants were lowered beneath his butt and who was just fumbling with Rachel's underwear.
The first thing Max did, as he had processed the current event, was to drop the tray. But it didn't come to anything further from his side as an infuriated Nathan surprisingly charged at him with a loud scream like a maniac and tackled the overwhelmed boy back through the door into the drama-lap, where both collided with the built up setting.
Still being a bit confused and dizzy, Rachel eventually managed to get up and follow the two fighting guys, and what she witnessed was just horrible. Half the stage setting had collapsed and Max was lying right in the middle of the remains while Nathan had pinned him down and was punching him repeatedly into his face. Suddenly, an inner wildfire began to burn inside Rachel and though she was still standing on shaky legs, the young girl took one of the wooden prop-swords and smacked it right over Nathan's head.
Of course, Nathan went down right away, landing beside Max. But that wasn't enough for Rachel, whose burning blood screamed for revenge. Numerous times she let the fake sword smash on Nathan's body like a berserker with loud screams and curses, and she would've kept on doing this, if a security guard hadn't dragged her away from him.
Infuriated, Principal Wells stepped into the infirmary and let his gaze wander sound the scenery. Five people were present: the nurse, who was still busy treating Nathan, a security guard and the three injured students. The first one was Rachel Amber, who had a bruised face and a bandage around her head. She was sitting right beside Max Caulfield, who was lying unconsciously on a stretcher, his face a horrible sight of bruises and bloody cuts. Last but not least, there was Nathan Prescott, who was also lying unconsciously on the infirmary's bed, his head wrapped in bandages as well.
"What in God's name is going on here?!" barked the Principal, gaining the security guard's attention, who reported to him right away.
"We actually don't know, sir. When I arrived at the scene, she was beatin' the crap outta him while he was already out of it. So, she either beat up two boys like a fury or…"
With a rise of his hand, the principal silenced the guard and approached the only conscious student.
"Miss Amber, you better tell me right now why you beat up Mr. Prescott, or I'll expel you right here, right now!"
Rachel stayed silent. She felt so dirty. So...worthless, at the moment. She hadn't even coped with what had happened up there, and still she was now forced to make a statement. Her eyes welled up again as the past events flowed back into her mind and she relived every second of it. Eventually, she gulped down her embarrassment and stared into the principal's eyes with anger and disgust while signing at Nathan.
"This fucking pig tried to rape me."
For Mr. Wells, this was just some very inconvenient, yet shocking news. And as always, the school's reputation and the upcoming discussions with Nathan's father were his primary concern. But for Chloe, who had already experienced such a violent act and who was standing in the doorframe, this was a straight hit in the guts. She knew that Rachel despised her at the moment. Still, she neglected this fact and closed in on her with slow steps, ignoring the principal, who was telling her to get out. And as she was standing in front of Rachel, the two girls gazed at each other. Blue eyes meeting green ones. There was, however, no anger or hate, but just understanding.
This was the moment Rachel's world collapsed and she started to cry. And so did Chloe, who immediately took her into a tight, soothing embrace.