Page 19 of Save Me

So, all in all, a total success.

That is, until the loudspeakers crackle in the hallway and an announcement echoes around the school.

“James Beaufort to Mr. Lexington’s office immediately.”

I’d been expecting that. Every Monday morning, there’s an assembly in Boyd Hall before lessons begin, so Lexie’s already expressed his disappointment over the incident and reminded everyone of the Maxton Hall code of conduct, his voice laden withsignificance. It’s always the same—we pull a prank, he tells the whole school how shocked he is, summons us to his office to give us a warning, and five minutes later, off we go.

“Let’s see if he gives the same lecture as ever,” Wren says, draping his arm over my shoulder. He gives me a quick squeeze. “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”

“I never do,” I reply, saying goodbye to him and the others and strolling toward the head’s office. When I arrive, his assistant points silently toward the door.

Without hesitating, I knock twice.

“Come in.”

I walk in and shut the door behind me. As I turn around, I freeze. Mr. Freeman is standing by the head teacher’s desk, and sitting directly in front of it is…Ruby. She throws a quick glance at me over her shoulder, then turns her eyes back straight ahead.

“You wanted to speak to me?” I ask. I’m slightly surprised to have an audience.

Lexington waves me toward the chair next to Ruby. “Have a seat.” His tone is different from normal. He generally sounds irritated and annoyed in equal measure when he speaks to me, as if the whole thing is a massive pain in the arse and he’d rather turn his attention back to the more important aspects of his work. This time, his voice is worryingly quiet. The furrows in his brow look deeper than normal too. Seems like I didn’t pick a good day for a lecture.

I drop into the chair in front of his desk.

“Is it correct that it was you who hired certain…” He clears his throat, evidently searching for a suitable word to use in these hallowed rooms. “…entertainers, and that it was they who caused the commotion at our party at the weekend?”

I have to suppress a laugh at the word “entertainers.”

“That depends who you mean by that, sir,” I say slowly. “I swear the DJ was nothing to do with me.”

Ruby gasps with outrage. I look at her, but she won’t meet my eye.

Mr. Lexington leans across his dark mahogany desk. The light shining into the room from outside is illuminating only half his face. The hush in here suddenly strikes me as almost ghostly.

“Tell me, Mr. Beaufort. How do you think this incident will reflect on the reputation of our school?”

I take a moment to think about my answer. “I think it might do us some good. This place is way too uptight. There’s no harm in relaxing a little now and then.”

“You must be out of your mind,” Ruby breathes.

“Miss Bell!” Mr. Lexington snaps. “It’s not your turn to speak.”

Ruby’s face drains of color. She presses her lips hard together and lowers her gaze to the green backpack in her lap. It looks like it might fall apart at any moment.

“Mr. Beaufort, your actions have crossed a line. I cannot tolerate such actions at Maxton Hall.”

…and so I’m giving you an official warning. If there is any repeat of this kind of behavior, you will find yourself facing the consequences.

I know Lexington’s sermon by heart. I’d love to join in with the words, just to see his face.

“You are a grown adult now, and this is your last year of school. It is high time you finally learn to accept responsibility, and to realize that your actions have an effect on others,” Lexington goes on.

Oh. This bit is new.

“Seeing that you ruined the first party of this academic year, Ithink it’s only fair for you to share the work of the school events committee for the rest of term. We can call it community service, under the supervision of Miss Bell.”

A second of silence. Then…

“What?” Ruby and I exclaim at the same time.

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