Fever Pitch Temptation

Chapter 5 You Won

"Wait, you gotta tell me where we're going first?" I asked with a frown. Despite the dizziness spinning in my head, I could tell the security captain wasn't exactly here to offer help.

"We're heading to the principal's office!" The security captain looked at me like I was some kind of criminal. "You've caused quite a stir around here!"

I knew I couldn't avoid the mess I was in. With a resigned sigh, I started to turn and pull my coat aside, only to have the security captain react like I was about to pull out a weapon. He whipped out his stun baton and snapped, "I warn you! Don't make any sudden moves!"

The stun baton in his hand wasn't some cheap self-defense tool like Alissa's. It was the real deal, and it could hurt.

'What, did he think I was some kind of dangerous criminal, or did he seriously think I was packing heat? This whole thing is spiraling into total madness!' My mind was filled with shock.

I raised both my hands in surrender and explained, "I just need to change into something clean and wash the blood off my hands..."

He kept the stun baton in hand, clearly annoyed, and waved it dismissively. "Hurry up and follow me. No funny business."

I was pissed, but arguing was pointless. So, like some kind of prisoner, I was escorted by the captain covered in blood, drawing curious glances from every student along the way. I tried my best to ignore it, knowing the real conversation would happen once we got to the principal's office.

I'd always remembered the principal, Vance Hawkins, as a warm and funny guy, someone who liked to chat and could always be reasoned with. All I needed was to explain things clearly.

But when I stood before the dark wood desk, I realized this wasn't the same person I was expecting. Vance, with his thinning hair, was sitting behind the desk. He had just finished calming down enraged Wilson on the phone and locked eyes with me, sharp and calculating.

The silence in the room was thick with tension.

I rubbed the dried blood on my fingers behind my back and spoke up, "Mr. Hawkins, I know you've probably heard some rumors, but that's not the whole story—"

"Ms. Everly! I didn't bring you here for an explanation," Vance cut me off, his voice cold and stern. It wasn't the friendly and approachable guy I remembered. "I'm telling you the consequence."

My mouth hung open in surprise, but before I could respond, he hit me with a bombshell that made my stomach drop.

"Listen, what happened in the infirmary is a serious incident. A student was stabbed, and you're the one who did it! Not only has this caused major damage to the school's reputation, but the basketball team is facing a huge loss. On top of that, you could be facing lawsuits and hefty compensation claims. If Taylor's injuries are severe, you'll be facing jail time. And after our appraisal, the school will consider terminating your employment."

Vance stared me down with a piercing gaze, each word hanging heavy in the air.

I'd already braced myself for some kind of punishment, but hearing all of this out loud made my legs feel like jelly. This was the outcome? Was my entire future about to get ruined over one stupid incident?

I couldn't help but think back to Owen's playful "little test" and nearly laughed at how absurd it all seemed. My whole future was just a test?

This was no joke. There was no way I could let my life be thrown away like this!

"What a shame, Anveena. You could've handled this situation much better, but instead, you let your... stupidity and recklessness take over, making everything worse! You even dragged Owen into this!" Vance's face twitched with anger, his muscles visibly tightening.

"Uh... Is it possible that Owen was the real trigger here? Maybe I'm the one who got dragged into this?" I defended myself.

Indeed, if I'd put the scalpel away sooner, if I'd stopped the conflict earlier, if I hadn't been so starstruck by Owen that I let him slip in and make things worse... But honestly, that was never going to happen!

I couldn't predict the future! It was unfair to dump all the blame on me!

"Anveena!" Vance suddenly pulled a long face and warned, "The damage caused by this incident is already bad enough. Don't make it worse!"

Well, it turned out Vance didn't care about the facts. He just wanted a convenient scapegoat, someone he could throw under the bus to minimize the school's losses!

Ignoring the confusion and pain in my eyes, Vance continued, "I'll remind you once—accusations without evidence are slander! From what I know, Alissa, Owen, and Taylor—who just woke up—all have the same statement..."

'No! That can't be true!' I was completely stunned. 'Owen? Owen earned a 100% on Taylor's hate-o-meter. Taylor wouldn't let him off the hook so easily, unless...'

In that instant, it hit me like a ton of bricks—Owen had already planned this. He'd somehow worked his magic on Taylor to get him to back him up and protect himself!

I'd been so impressed by Owen, thinking he was clever and charming, and I even gave him extra points in my head. Now? Even if I took a hundred points off him, it wouldn't be enough to vent my anger!

If I had a mirror right now, I'd probably see just how pale and helpless I looked. If Taylor, even as a victim, was now on Owen's side, who the hell else could I count on?

I mentally waved the white flag. 'Owen, you won.'

"Just wait for the outcome. Before the school makes a decision, you're not to return to work."

That was the last thing I heard before I left the principal's office in a daze. I barely made it to the door when I collided with a solid chest.

I was trapped, my back pressed against the door, with someone standing right in front of me. I could almost feel the outline of perfect muscles through the fabric of his shirt and the familiar scent that made my heart race filled the air.

"Heh, Dr. Everly. Fancy running into you so soon," came the voice I recognized all too well.

I looked up in shock, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw that face, the one handsome enough to make anyone's heart flutter at any time.

'Owen? How did he get here? Could it be...' I couldn't help but think.

My heartbeat picked up speed with a tiny spark of hope flickering inside me. Maybe, just maybe, Owen had a change of heart and was here to help clear my name?!