Revolted, I pull a face. “Now I remember why I used to hate you so much.”
James smiles and puts a hand on the back of my neck. He strokes his thumb over the sensitive skin there, up to my hairline. Then he leans down to me.
“You don’t hate me anymore, do you?” he breathes.
His dark voice and gentle touch send goose bumps down my arms. It takes every ounce of strength not to let him see how weak my knees are feeling right now.
“Miss Bell?” says a voice behind us, making my spine suddenly stiffen. James’s fingers twitch against my neck, as if he was about to move his hand but then decided against it.
Together, we turn to face Mr. Lexington. His face looks so serious that my heart automatically starts racing. James’s hand slides from my neck to my shoulder, and he pulls me a little closer.
I swallow dryly. “Yes?”
Lexington clears his throat. “Can I have a word for a second, please?”
“Now?” I ask, looking anxiously over my shoulder at the bonfire. “They’re about to light it.”
“It will only take a minute,” he says.
I hesitate, but I know that I have no choice. If the head teacher wants to speak to me, I can’t refuse. I’ve managed to avoid him for the last two weeks, only communicating by email or via his secretary. I don’t want to be childish, but I’m still haunted by the scene in his office. I just can’t forget the way he treated me that day.
James doesn’t let go of my shoulder. I give him a thin smile and reach for his hand to squeeze it. Then I step forward.
The head points to a spot a little to our right. I nod, and we move away from the others.
I don’t have to turn around to know that James’s eyes are on me the whole time.
Lexington strokes the lapel of his gray suit and looks intently at me through his glasses. “You and Miss Wang have really worked hard getting ready for this event,” he says in the end.
“Thank you, sir,” I reply stiffly.
He coughs again. “And I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know in person how deeply I regret recent events.”
I try not to show how surprised I am by his apology. I wasn’t expecting that, and for a moment, I don’t know how to react.
Lexington clears his throat yet again. It’s like a little explosion. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was nervous. “I hope you understand that the evidence against you initially seemed conclusive. I had to take action. I couldn’t just ignore it.”
“I know that,” I say. “It’s just…” I hesitate, and glance uncertainly at him. He nods encouragingly.
“Feel free to speak openly, Miss Bell.”
“I can’t help wondering if you’d have reacted differently if my parents were able to make regular huge donations to the Maxton Hall bank account.”
I can’t believe I actually just said that. I feel my heart pound rapidly and violently against my rib cage as Lexington’s eyes widen in outrage.
“Miss Bell,” he says. “I really must…”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, sir, but that’s what I felt. You didn’t even give me a chance to defend myself. After everything I’ve done for the school in the last couple of years, I think I deserved better.”
Lexington stares at me. He opens his mouth and shuts it again.
I wonder if I’ve just made a big mistake, but then again, I don’t care. I’ve stood up for myself and addressed an injustice that’s been obvious at Maxton Hall for years. I don’t know if it will change anything, but that isn’t the point.
“Thank you for being so honest,” the head says finally. “I am sorry for what happened. And I hope you know that I will take steps to stop anything like that from happening again.” His tone is as friendly as before, but a touch more formal. Like he’s choosingevery word with care. “Should you have any more concerns, of whatever kind, my door is always open.”
I nod, although I know better. I watch Lexie as he walks back toward the bonfire, and realize that I’m no longer furious with him. Right now, I’m grateful to him for teaching me a valuable lesson. If I ever find myself in a position of authority, with power over other people, I won’t treat them the way he treated me.
Because now I know that there are at least two sides to every story, and everyone deserves to be heard.
