From Bet To Love

Chapter 8: Damon's Generosity?

Jennifer

My heart raced as I made my way down the hallway toward the principal’s office. My heart beat quickening with each step that I took.

Amber’s words about that blue eyed guy… Damon Kingston and the Red Alert echoed in my mind, causing my stomach to twist with anxiety.

‘He can get you expelled in a minute, he holds that much power’ Amber had said, and now it seemed like that very moment was at hand.

The door to the principal’s office loomed ahead of me. I paused for a moment outside, trying to steady my breath.

‘You did nothing wrong Jennifer. Don’t be scared. You are going to be okay.’

I told myself before knocking. The sound of my knuckles tapping against the wood felt far too loud in the suffocating silence of the hallway.

“Come in,” a firm voice answered from inside.

I swallowed hard and pushed the door open. Principal Mr. Parker, sat behind his large mahogany desk, his expression unreadable. He was an older man, his silver hair perfectly combed, and his dark-framed glasses perched low on his nose. He glanced up at me, and immediately, I could see the disappointment in his eyes.

“Take a seat, Miss Roberts,” he said, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

I did as I was told, my legs feeling like jelly as I lowered myself into the chair. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that I was sure Mr. Parker could hear it. I clasped my hands together tightly in my lap, as I waited for him to start speaking.

“I’m really disappointed in you Miss Roberts.” Principal Parker began, his voice stern and laced with disapproval. “You are our scholarship student. You got admission in this university because we were very impressed with your academic record. Your previous school also vouched for you, stating that you have always been a good student without any troubles. Yet, here you are, involved in a physical altercation with another student.”

“This school does not tolerate violence or the breaking of rules, Miss Roberts. ”

I opened my mouth to defend myself, to explain that Damon was the reason all of this has happened. But Mr. Parker wasn’t finished.

“I’ve heard enough from the witnesses and seen enough from the video circulating around campus,” he continued. “Slapping another student, no matter the provocation, is unacceptable. You’ve crossed a line, Miss Roberts, and actions have consequences.”

My throat tightened, but I forced myself to speak. “At least give me a chance to explain my side of the story Mr. Parker. It’s only fair.”

His eyebrows shot up at my words. “Fair? Are you implying that we are being unfair towards you?”

I wanted to say yes. Of course they are being unfair toward me. First it was Miss Brook who punished me without saying anything to that Damon guy. And now principal.

I know that I am also in the wrong here. No matter what I shouldn’t have slapped another student in the school. But I was forced to act like that. Damon provoked me so much that I had no choice.

But instead of expressing all of my inner thoughts, I sighed, shifting my gaze to the floor. “That’s not what I meant” I said softly. “I just wanted you to at least give me a chance to explain the situation from my end”.

“Okay, let’s hear what you have to say, how you are going to justify your actions?” he said.

“Forgive me Mr. Parker that I have disappointed you with my actions. But I didn’t have any other choice. Damon Kingston—he’s the one responsible for all of this. First he barged in the girl’s dorm last night and because of him I am thrown out of the dorm. This morning as well, he pushed me too far. I didn’t mean to cause trouble, but he really left me with no choice” I explained.

“If you had some problem, you should have come to the office and raised the issue with us. We would have definitely investigated the situation and helped you with it. But you didn’t. That means you were also at fault, isn’t that right?” he said.

“I was going to come here, but…”

“I don’t want to hear excuses,” Mr. Parker cut me off sharply. “I’ve heard enough of them but that does not excuse your actions.”

My heart sank as the principal’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was trying to explain, trying to make him see reason, but it was no use. My pulse quickened, and I could feel the tears building in my eyes as he continued.

“As of now, Miss Roberts, the decision has been made to expel you from Redcrest University. Effective immediately.”

The words were a dagger to my chest. Expelled. My mind spun as the gravity of the situation washed over me. My dreams, my future—everything I have worked so hard for—is about to slip through my fingers because of a slap, because of a game played by that jerk Damon. I blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears from falling. This couldn’t be happening.

I saw Mr. Parker retrieving an envelope from the bunch of papers on his desk before he handed it to me.

“Here’s your expulsion letter.” I couldn’t stop the lone tear which rolled down from my eye.

“Mr. Parker please… I am telling you the truth. Why am I the only one being questioned in every situation? Why isn’t anyone saying anything to that person who has caused all of it? You said you have heard everything from witnesses present in the cafeteria. So, didn’t they tell you what that bas…” I paused when I saw a look of warning on Principal’s face and changed my words, “That guy Damon did to me. Just because he is son of Mayor, are you going to disregard all of his actions? How is it fair?” I accused.

I saw a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes before he covered it with a stern look. “None of the student who were present in the cafeteria at that time has come forward and said anything remotely close to what you are telling us. No one saw Mr. Damon bullying you like you are claiming. Everyone is saying you slapped him for no specific reason. So, you can’t expect us to disregard everyone’s words and believe what you are saying?” he said, his voice calm.

My eyes widened. So everyone is lying to help Damon. I couldn’t believe my ears.

Before I could fully process everything, the intercom on Mr. Parker’s desk buzzed. He glanced at it, frowning, and then pressed the button.

“Yes?” he answered, his voice noticeably tenser than before. There was a moment of silence as someone on the other end spoke. I couldn’t make out the words, but I saw Principal Parker’s expression change. His eyes flicked toward me repeatedly as he listened, the lines on his forehead deepening with every passing second.

My anxiety spiked as I sat there, my hands gripping the edge of the chair. ‘Was this about me? Was something else about to happen?’

After a few more seconds of silence, Mr. Parker gave a final “Okay” into the intercom and ended the call. He turned back to me, and for a moment, his stern demeanor softened. He leaned back in his chair.

“You’re lucky, Miss Roberts” he said, his voice a lot softer than before.

“Lucky?” I repeated, completely thrown off by his sudden change in demeanor. I wasn’t sure what he meant, but the pit in my stomach was still there, churning with nerves.

Mr. Parker exhaled, folding his arms across his chest. “It seems Mr. Damon Kingston has decided to show you some mercy.”

I blinked in surprise, my mind struggling to catch up. Damon Kingston? Mercy? Those words didn’t belong in the same sentence. The Damon I knew—the one who had threatened me after I slapped him—didn’t seem like the type to show mercy to anyone.

“Mercy?” I echoed, feeling my confusion deepen. “I don’t understand…”

The principal gave a slight nod. “He’s decided not to push for your expulsion. The decision has been overturned.”

For a brief moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Not expelled. My dreams weren’t shattered after all. But just as quickly, the relief was replaced by suspicion. Why would Damon Kingston, of all people, let me off the hook so easily? What was he playing at?

Mr. Parker leaned forward, looking directly at me. “You should consider yourself fortunate, Miss Roberts. I hope you learn from this incident and spend your time here focusing on your studies and career. And make sure you don’t repeat your mistake again. Not everyone is as generous as Mr. Damon Kingston”

I really wanted to scoff at his last sentence but I stopped myself.

I could only nod slowly, though my mind is far from settled. I know better than to believe that this is an act of kindness.

Damon isn’t letting me go out of the goodness of his heart. No, this is something else entirely. I have a very strong feeling. But what?

After thanking Mr. Parker and bidding goodbye to him, I got up from the chair.

As I left the principal’s office, my heart still pounding in my chest, one question kept bothering me relentlessly:

‘What could be going on in that scheming mind of Damon Kingston?’