Page 20 of Save Me

Now we’re staring at each other.

“Absolutely no way,” I say, and Ruby mumbles, “Sir, I don’t know…”

Lexington raises a hand for quiet. He looks at me over the top of his rimless glasses, and his eyes seem to bore into mine.

“Mr. Beaufort, over the course of the six years you have been at this school, you have considered yourself at liberty to act in the most outrageous manner,” he continues. “And you have never once been called to account. I turned a blind eye when you held a motor race on the school grounds. I let it slide when you and your friends thought it would be amusing to dress the statue of the school’s founder in a wig and cheerleader’s outfit. And then there was the time you set up online dating profiles for me and other teaching staff here. And when you held an unauthorized party in Boyd Hall. Not to mention the many times you have arrived drunk at theofficialparties. But you have to finally learn that your actions have consequences. Maxton Hall has built up a certain reputation over the last two centuries. We are known for discipline and excellence, and I cannot permit your youthful exuberance to repeatedly call that into question.” His eyes are on me again. I’m starting to feel sick. “Mr. Beaufort, you are suspended from the lacrosse team, effective immediately, for the rest of the term.”

The blood rushes in my ears. I see Lexington open his mouth and carry on speaking, but not another word gets through to me.

During a match last season, an opposition player tackled me sohard that we both crashed to the ground—and he landed on top of me with his full body weight. I’d never felt pain like it, and for thirty seconds, I couldn’t breathe.

That’s exactly how I feel right now.

“You…You can’t do that,” I croak, hating how pathetic I sound. I clear my throat, take a deep breath, and summon the mask of impenetrability back onto my face, the way my father taught me.

“Yes, Mr. Beaufort, I can,” the head continues calmly, folding his hands over his belly. “And before you threaten me with your parents, let me inform you that I have already spoken to your father this morning. He assured me of his backing in whatever punishment I see fit to impose upon you.”

I certainly wasn’t expecting that. “Sir, with all due respect, this is our last season together. I’m the team captain, my lads need me.” I look up at the coach, appealing for help.

The regret in his eyes feels like a punch in the gut. “This is entirely self-inflicted, Beaufort.”

“Alistair’s out for the next three games. Without me…”

“Cyril will take over as full captain, and there is plenty of fresh blood to fill your role.”

My throat goes dry. I feel the heat of rage flood my cheeks, and my hands start to shake. I clench my fists, digging my nails into my palms until it hurts and my knuckles crack.

“Please, coach.” Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Ruby shifting back and forth on her chair. She seems to find the whole situation horribly embarrassing, but at this moment, I don’t give a fuck what she thinks.

This is my upper sixth. The last few months before my whole life is ruined. I’d do anything to play lacrosse for these few monthswith my friends. Even if that means I have to beg in front of Ruby Bell.

To my horror, the coach is not budging. He just shakes his head, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Miss Bell, I’m relying on you to show Mr. Beaufort the ropes on the events team,” Lexington goes on, as if he hadn’t just wrecked my life. “He is to attend every meeting and be involved in every party until the end of term. Should he refuse or cause you any kind of difficulty, come to me immediately, do you hear?”

“Yes, sir,” says Ruby, her voice soft yet firm.

“When is the next meeting to be? Mr. Beaufort can make a note of it in his planner right away.”

Ruby clears her throat, and, very much against my will, I turn to face her.

Her eyes are hard. Mine are harder.

“Our next meeting is this afternoon, after lunch, in library meeting room eleven,” she says, no trace of emotion in her voice.

I grind my teeth. I’m desperately seeking a way out of this situation, but it’s impossible. On top of which, I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to explain this whole thing to my parents.

OK, this time I’ve really fucked up.

Ruby

“What?”

We’re in one of the little group-work rooms, but Lin’s yell is so loud that probably everyone in the library could hear it too. The rest of the team just stare blankly as I make my announcement.

“As of now, James Beaufort is a member of the events team,” I repeat, my voice just as neutral as it was the first time.

Lin bursts into loud laughter. Once she’s semi-composed herself, I start again. “So, let’s not make a fuss when he arrives in a bit.” I’m looking at Jessalyn Keswick as I add that last bit. She’s in the middle of topping up her lip gloss. The pale pink flatters her Black skin, just as all her makeup does. Jessalyn is a beautiful person with so much charisma that everyone adores her. Me included. I could spend hours just looking at her.

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