Shantelle’s POV

We both stood awkwardly in the principal’s office as she paced furiously. My eyes followed her every movement, wondering about the wrath that was about to come.

She turned toward us sharply, making me inhale.

“I can’t believe you two…” she started.

“I am sorry, Mrs. Moore,” I apologized quickly.

“This is a learning institution, for crying out loud. I do not condone such disgusting attitude from my students!” she bellowed.

I bent my head. I hated it when adults scolded me, and right now, I was trying hard not to cry.

Roman, on the other hand, looked like he was having the time of his life.

God, he looks so hot. Just standing there, being nonchalant and all.

“Do you hear me?” she asked.

“What?” I asked.

I wasn’t paying attention; all I wanted to do was finish what Roman and I started.

“I am trying to discipline you and you kids are not paying any attention to my words?!” she bellowed.

I tried not to wince at her volume; she was pretty loud.

I had to do something, “We are so sorry, Mrs. Moore. We will accept any form of punishment given to us,” I plead on our behalf.

“You will do no such thing. I will call your parents and inform them of your despicable behavior!” she spat.

Roman’s head snapped up at that moment. He leveled Mrs. Moore with a look that rivaled hers.

“There is no need to do that, ma’am. As she said, we will accept any punishment you give us,” he said.

His voice had gotten deeper than it usually was.

Mrs. Moore stared him down only to shake her head.

“Fine. Shantelle, you are banned from them musicals. Roman, on the other hand, will have detention for a month.”

“What?”

“You have a problem with that?” she asked, challenging me with her gaze.

“I have the lead in musicals,” I argued.

“Well, now it belongs to someone else,” she said with finality.

“But…” I started to say, but she cut me off.

“But nothing. Now get to class.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We made a move to leave the office when Mrs. Moore spoke up. “Miss Actona, a word?”

I nodded while gesturing for Roman to go on without me.

“Yes, Mrs. Moore?”

“I know you think I am being unfair, but I had to do what I had to do,” she said.

“I understand, ma’am.”

I had been looking forward to the upcoming musicals all summer. I practiced and studied to get my grades up for it. It’s all good.

“And you should be more careful with whom you share information.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, either you have passed off a lot of people, or they hate you to the point of dropping an anonymous tip that you were in the janitor’s closet.”

What the actual hell?

“Thank you, and I am sorry,” I apologized again.

“Let this not repeat itself,” she said firmly.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said as I let myself out of her office.

I strolled through the hallway, aware that everyone was in class but me. I leaned against a random locker as the principal’s words rang in my head. Someone sold me out. She thinks someone ratted me out to her on purpose.

Nobody knew about my rendezvous with Roman except…

Of course, she ratted me out. I can’t believe this.

No, I don’t believe it. Maybe someone overheard us in the closet. I refuse to think Keshon betrayed me.

I sighed to myself, it was just musicals, and something better would come up.

I held myself high as I walked to the next class on my schedule.

Luckily, Keshon had already reserved a seat beside hers as the teacher went on and on about the lesson for the day.

I doubt she was listening because her eyes were glued to mine as soon as I walked in.

I approached her, my intent to find out if she did what I suspected her to but she surprised me.

“Hey, girl, back already?” she whispered.

I stared at her, looking for a giveaway that she told on me, but she was looking at me expectantly like she was eagerly waiting for my answer.

“Have you been waiting for me?” I asked.

“Don’t look at me like that. I told you I wanted details as soon as possible. Now spill,” she urged me.

“Yeah, I got caught, so we didn’t get to finish,” I grumbled.

Now that I think about it, we barely even got anything done.

This sucks.

“I am so sorry, boo. You guys can get it on later. We have rehearsals after school,” she said.

“About that,” I started to say.

“For Christ’s sake, Shantelle, make out some other time. We have to perfect this musical!” she snapped.

“Okay? Firstly, watch your tone with me, and secondly, Mrs. Moore kicked me out of the musicals.”

“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you and what the hell?” she asked as she slapped my arm.

“Ouch,” I glared at her as I rubbed my arm.

“Oh, grow up! You were kicked out? You are our female lead!” she said like she was close to tears.

“I am sorry.”

“Oh, don’t apologize. This is what we have been planning, to take over the school with your performance. Did you tell Mrs. Moore how important the role was to you?”

“Of course I did, but she was pretty adamant. Besides, you are my replacement. You will do just fine, just like we have been practicing,” I assured her.

Something akin to satisfaction crossed her eyes as she smiled at me. I dare not believe she sabotaged me just to have my spot in the lead role.

“You will still follow me to the rehearsals?” she asked.

I shook my head no.

“Come on, please. I will need a friend,” she pleaded.

“Okay, fine, but I won’t stay too long. I must go home and do damage control just in case Principal Moore told my parents.”

“That’s fine with me, thanks, boo.”

We stopped the conversation there as soon as the bell rang for the next class.