Riley sat stiffly across from the principal's wide oak desk, arms crossed over her chest, doing everything in her power not to explode. Zayden lounged next to her like he owned the office, one ankle propped on his knee, an infuriatingly smug smirk dancing on his lips.
Principal Whitaker, a stern-looking man with graying temples and a no-nonsense gaze, folded his hands and looked between them.
"You two are becoming a distraction," he began, his tone clipped. "There's been a string of complaints. Tension in the classroom. Disruption of learning. And now a public display in the hallway."
Riley opened her mouth to argue, but he lifted a hand to silence her.
"I'm not here to debate. This is Crestwood Elite Academy, not a circus."
Zayden tilted his head. "Funny, some of your students act like clowns."
"Mr. Adrian," Whitaker snapped, eyes narrowing. "Your family may donate generously to this school, but even your name has limits."
Riley's head jerked toward Zayden, surprised at the cold authority in the principal's voice. Zayden's expression didn't falter.
"Riley Morgan," the principal continued, "you are here on a scholarship. That is a privilege, not a right. You were granted access to this institution on the condition of maintaining outstanding behavior and academic performance."
Riley tensed. She saw it coming. The warning.
"One more incident like today, and you will be suspended. Possibly expelled."
She swallowed hard, the weight of the threat pressing against her chest.
Zayden leaned forward suddenly, voice calm but laced with steel. "She didn't do anything wrong. She defended herself."
"She's a student," Whitaker said coldly. "Not a revolutionary."
Riley gritted her teeth, biting back the storm inside. She hated the injustice of it, the blatant unfairness. But even more, she hated that she felt powerless. Again.
"You may go," the principal said, dismissing them with a wave. "I expect better choices from both of you."
Outside the office, silence stretched between them. Zayden didn't say anything as they walked down the corridor, but his expression had darkened.
"You shouldn't have spoken for me in there," Riley muttered, breaking the silence. "I can handle it."
"I know you can," Zayden said, finally meeting her eyes. "But you don't have to handle it alone."
She looked away quickly, unsure what to say to that. Because for the first time, she wasn't sure she wanted to fight alone anymore.
Not when his presence gave her strength she didn't know she needed.
But she still couldn't trust it. Not yet.
Especially not with her future at this school hanging by a thread.