Page 75 of Player
Dixie's boyfriend got the thrashing he deserved.
The dean continues, "Your achievements on the field don't give you any special privileges, Mr. Boardman. Quite the contrary. You have a duty to set an example for the rest of the students. Your behavior can bring pride to our institution, but it can also harm it."
I hadn't considered the situation from that angle, but it doesn't change what I did, and I don't feel any more remorse about it.
"You understand that we cannot let such a violation of the student code of conduct slide."
At this point, I still haven't opened my mouth, and I plan to stick with that approach. I don't even see what I could say to fix my problems...
The sentence falls like a guillotine. "As a result, you are on full suspension for four weeks. Including football and classes. Your ability to remain a student will depend on your ability to complete and turn in assignments remotely."
When I leave the office, I feel like I'm in a daze. I should be happy about my fate, since I never wanted to study at OMU to begin with, but it's not that simple. And everything gets even more complicated when I arrive at the dorm. Everyone gives me sideways glances, and the one person I want to see doesn't show her face.
I return to my room where I gather my things in preparation for leaving campus for the next month. Maybe, just maybe, I might be back in time for the end of football season… if I give a fuck then.
"What the hell is your problem?" Emery's booming voice takes me by surprise. I turn to see my best friend enter the room. I meet his accusatory gaze, which I can't hold.
"You're leaving on top of everything?" he persists in the face of my silence.
"I'm suspended. Not my choice."
He opens his mouth, closes it, then responds, "You brought it on yourself!"
I just shrug. I can't say otherwise. I even dreamed of this moment when I would leave this rat hole...
"But what were you thinking, attacking that guy?"
"He provoked me..."
"And that gave you the right to attack him?"
"He hit me first."
Emery stares at me for a moment, as if trying to determine if I'm telling the truth. He finally lets out a sigh. He pulls his hair back on his head, a sign that he's thinking intensely.
"How long are you kicked out for?" he finally asks.
"What makes you think it's not permanent?"
He shakes his head. "Dude, OMU might be ‘serious’, but you still work miracles with the Jaguars. And football money fucking talks, they're not going to drop you that easily."
"No one is irreplaceable."
"Well, actually, some guys are harder to replace than others, and you're one of those type."
I can’t help it, I smirk. "Are you trying to flatter me now?"
"Not even in your dreams! You're a total asshole, but you're also talented with a ball…" Emery says before adding, "and you're my friend."
He finished his sentence in a tone that touches me more than I want to admit.
"So, how long?" he insists.
"A month."
Emery nods. "You deserve it."
I don't respond to that.
