Chapter Nine
The chill in the air is a welcome balm to my fraught nerves.
My lungs are still catching up to my pace as I reach the administration building, my heartbeat thudding in my ears like a warning bell I don’t know how to silence.
Everything smells like floor polish and fresh plaster, the walls lined with awards and charity plaques.
An assistant waves me straight in without the need to take my name, stating that the Dean is waiting.
I delay outside the dark wood door, smoothing my palms down my thighs, straightening the sleeves of my sweater, and trying to force my face into something that doesn’t look like a blend of rage, suspicion, and the lingering humiliation of being silently rejected by a guy who smells like oil paint.
I press the buzzer, and not even a moment passes before the door is opened from within.
“Thank you for coming, Miss O’Connor. Please take a seat,” Dean Colt rushes me inside. Apparently, she doesn’t have long for this impromptu meeting, and that suits me just fine. I don’t want to be here either.
As soon as I step inside, I stop short. On this side of the desk, one of the low-back armchairs is patiently waiting for me, and the other is occupied by a tall male who is too arrogant to look over his shoulder and greet me.
What the hell is Everest doing here?
His long legs are sprawled out in front of him in that careless, golden-boy way that makes people think he owns every room he walks into.
His arms are crossed, chest rising and falling slow and steady like he hasn’t just become the center of my irritation.
His sandy blond hair is pushed back from his features, and he’s wearing his typical worn leather jacket that creaks when he moves too fast. No chance of that now though, he might as well be made of stone.
My spine straightens, and I make no move to take the chair beside him.
“Is this some kind of joke?” I ask, not bothering to mask the sharpness in my tone.
Eventually, Everest’s head twists and his light green eyes flick up to me.
They’re cold, devoid of the usual intensity he holds for me.
That’s fine, I’m more than happy to be strangers.
“Please, Miss O’Connor,” Dean Colt gestures to the chair once more.
I lift my focus to the portly woman who has rounded her desk to stare at me expectantly.
She has warm brown eyes that match the shade of her hair, but there’s a lack of familiarity between us today.
The woman who used to congratulate me at award ceremonies and kick off our championship games isn’t present currently.
I reluctantly cross the room and perch on the edge of the chair.
“Thank you,” the Dean breathes a sigh of relief and taps the tablet on her desk. The screen reflects in the small glasses perched on the end of her nose before she turns the news article towards us. The headline doesn’t come as a surprise, nor does the pinched frown on the Dean’s face.
Smoke, Screams & Scandal: Fire Tears Through Academy Stadium.
“I hope I already know the answer to this question,” Dean Colt looks between Everest and I, gauging our response, “but I need to ask it. Did either of you have anything to do with what happened yesterday afternoon?”
“Absolutely not,” Everest interjects, taking the lead before I can even open my mouth.
His spine stiffens as he leans forward, bracing his forearms on his thighs.
“Hundreds of witnesses can place both Megan and me on the pitch when the fire started. We played no part in this.” I’m surprised by the sudden harshness in his voice.
I thought he was half-asleep at this point.
“Good,” Dean Colt drops into her chair in relief. “That’s good. I’ve had back-to-back meetings all morning with arson investigators and the board. Not to mention,” her gaze slides to Everest. He grunts and looks through the window beyond her head.
“My parents.” The following silence confirms Everest’s suspicions. I remain still, feeling like an outsider looking in.
I know the basics about Everest’s parents, as everyone does.
Wealthy, career-driven, highly invested in Everest’s education.
Despite their busy lives, they make time to be re-elected as parent governors each year and attend every schooling event.
I haven’t paid too much attention, but I’d have to be blind to not notice the way they breathe down Everest’s neck whenever they can.
Eventually, the tension grows too tight and I can’t just sit here staring at the news article any longer. “Has my mom been in contact?” Both Everest and the Dean look at me, remembering I’m here. Dean Colt blinks and starts shuffling papers that clearly have nothing to do with my question.
“Not that I’m aware. It’s possible she has spoken to my assistant, I can check.” She reaches for her intercom but I wave her off.
“It’s fine, I’ll call her. It’s best she hears that I almost died from me,” I laugh awkwardly. The atmosphere quickly kills my poor attempt at humor. Thankfully, Dean Colt doesn’t let me suffer for too long.
“Let’s get to the reason for this meeting, shall we?
I’ve been forced to have some difficult conversations this morning and take steps to ensure risk assessments are met, and more importantly, that the students here feel safe.
Even before the fire started, I was made aware of a disturbance in the stadium between the two of you. ”
I open my mouth to respond but Dean Colt holds her hand up to silence me.
“As much as I don’t like putting our investors’ desires first, you both know of the struggles I’ve had to keep the athletic department fully funded in the past. Lacrosse brings in significant revenue and positive publicity to the academy, but it takes more than money to keep it running.
I did not expect to have a fracture within the team before the semester has even begun. ”
“There is no fracture,” I force my voice to be heard.
“I’ve gotten whatever old resentment out of my system and I won’t be taking part in any sports for the foreseeable future.
” I smile, keeping my posture firm. A weight lifts from my shoulders.
I should have done this days ago. Goodbye sports, goodbye Everest. “So if there’s nothing else,” I start to stand when Dean Colt clears her throat.
“I’m afraid that’s not going to cut it anymore.
The investors want assurance that the money they’ve already poured into the unisex lacrosse program is going to be beneficial.
This goes beyond competitions. This is about a community bridge, offering a safe space for mixed skill levels and collaboration across year groups. ”
She turns the tablet towards herself, touches the screen and swivels it back with a new article opened. This one is a wordy document outlining the initiative that the Dean is skating around. I don’t take the time to read it, but mine and Everest’s names stand out like a beacon.
“Such a feat will take two exceptionally strong captains. In particular, the two of you.”
The noise around me becomes muffled, a prickling sensation running down the back of my neck. If she thinks I’m strong, she hasn’t read my case file.
“This…has already been decided, hasn’t it?” I ask slowly. Dean Colt nods.
“It’s either a team led by you both or there is no team at all.”
“But everyone hates me.” I swallow, deciding not to voice how that’s all Everest’s fault. Since the moment he saw me the other day, he’s treated me like an outcast, and Everest sets the trends. His enemies become everyone else’s. The Dean isn’t fazed by my omission.
“We can work on your reputation. This development is going to be highly publicized. There will be a big reveal, marketing, campaigns, public appearances. We need to build on both yours and the team’s brand, and Everest’s parents have assured me he will be nothing but encouraging with that.”
A string of humorless laughter bubbles from my throat. She can’t be serious. Everest wouldn’t help me, never mind defend me, if his life depended on it.
The man in question is rigid, still leaning on his thighs, still staring into space.
I glare at him now, daring him to say something.
To decline, to complain, to kick up a fuss.
To do something, but whatever fire blazes in his eyes when we’re arguing is a distant memory now.
He just accepts what’s being said with quiet resignation. But not me, no thank you.
This time, I do stand. “I appreciate what you’re saying, Dean Colt, and I’m sorry to be the person who ruins it for everyone, but I’m in no position to be leading anyone right now. I have a lot I need to deal with, which doesn’t include pretending to be part of some power duo for campus morale.”
I cast a sideways glance at Everest before taking my leave.
This has gone on long enough. They will find someone else, and Claire will no doubt jump at the chance to co-captain with Everest. A streak of pride zaps through me before I’ve even reached the door.
It’s about time I started being honest with myself. I need time to heal, I need time to—
“Both Megan and I would be honored to bring glory back to Hollowbrook and the lacrosse team.” Everest says from behind me. My hand is hovering over the handle, my forehead almost colliding with the door. “We will captain the team and partake in any and all publicity that is required by us.”
I turn, my mouth wide open. That simmering rage Everest evokes so easily in me ripples beneath my skin. The Dean hitches her brow, unconvinced by Everest’s bold statements.
“And what about Meg’s admission of not being fit to lead?” she asks my nemesis. My head shifts as I switch my gaze from the Dean to Everest and back. Am I still in the room, or have I turned invisible? Should I smash a vase over my head and see if either of them even notice?