Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2), Sarah Duncan [people reading books TXT] 📗

“Honestly?” I ask, and she nods. “That I couldn’t care less about my school work right now, but I know I can’t afford to fall behind.”

She nods, “Well, that’s good enough for me, Miss West.” Reaching out to the desk, she picks up a piece of paper. “Here is your new schedule. Unfortunately, a few changes had to be made at the request of some parents.”

I accept the paper and glance over the schedule, seeing clearly which classes I am no longer a part of.

“You mean Abbey Delany’s parents?” Most of the classes that I had with Abbey have now changed on my schedule.

“It’s complicated.” Mrs Rogan states without elaborating.

“In other words, yes!” I hiss, “Let me get this straight. Because the old arsehole Principal allowed my dad to come into this very office and drug me, knocking me unconscious, which inevitably led to my assault, the school has agreed with Mr and Mrs Delany’s request to move me out of classes with their daughter?”

Mrs Rogan sighs, “I’m sorry, Lexi. This decision was approved before I took over. I have tried to advocate for you, but there are a few things I haven’t been successful with. This is one.”

“This is bullshit!”

“Yes, it is bullshit! And I will keep fighting for you. But for now, we have to follow the rules.” Principal Rogan sounds stern, but not in a scary way. She’s kind of intimidating, like one of those successful businesswomen who have had to wade through all the bullshit to rise through the ranks and prove that she is just as good, if not better, than her male colleagues. I bet she’s had to sacrifice a lot over the years. Maybe she’s one of those forty-something career women who chose not to have kids. She doesn’t look like a school principal, that’s for sure. Cynthia Rogan looks like the rich and powerful CEO of a multi-million dollar company.

“The rules suck dog’s balls.” I don't care how immature I sound right now. It’s not fair that I have to suffer because other people are uncomfortable with what happened to me. Fuck them! I didn’t ask for any of this to happen to me!

“That they do.” Mrs Rogan laughs before turning serious again. “You will also see your counsellor appointments on your schedule. If you miss one, then we have to review your enrolment here. This is also a stipulation that is out of my hands.”

“So, someone is waiting for me to fuck up, basically? Not go to an appointment and then boot me out?” My blood is boiling. I’m getting more and more pissed off by the second, and Mrs Rogan can tell.

“You can’t be booted out for that, but it will keep you unnecessarily busy attending red tape meetings with the school counsellor and Child Services. Let’s try our best to avoid that, hey?” Principal Rogan gives me a sympathetic smile, so I nod.

“Can I go?”

“Yes.” I stand when Mrs Rogan confirms I can leave but stop as she speaks again, “Oh, and Lexi. Given what you’ve been through, I don’t mind that you swear and release some of that pent up anger while you’re in this office with me. And it’s okay to do the same when you’re with the counsellor,” She points to her door, “but out there in the rest of the school, you need to reel it in. Talk to the counsellor if you are struggling to do that.”

I should probably tell her now that I am already struggling and will likely fail at keeping it reeled in as she asked. I don’t, though, and nod before leaving the office, wanting nothing more than to burn the entire school to the ground.

I don’t bother with my locker and go straight to Maths with Miss Dice. I’m lucky to have her for a couple of classes. Not only is she a good teacher, but she is also a good person. She welcomes me back when I walk into her class, and I sit at the empty table at the back of the room. It’s the same table Ayden and I sat at a couple of weeks ago when he shared his music with me. The ache in my heart feels like it’s slicing me open from the inside as I recall the memory. I don’t even care when I notice Allison glaring at me from across the room throughout the lesson. I don’t do any work. I can’t concentrate. All I can think about is Ayden.

I remember how I had tried to ignore him, but he was having none of that, making sure I would talk to him even though I treated him like crap at first. His smile captivated me. The way it turned up and sunk in his dimples that were partially hidden by the light dusting of dark hair over his jawline. I also remember how it felt when I realised that he listens to the same music as me. It was nice knowing we had that in common.

I miss you, Ayden.

Tears threaten, so I fight them back through most of the class, and when the bell rings, I practically bolt from my seat to escape. I don’t get far. Allison steps in front of me wearing a bitchy smug look, so I raise my brow, waiting for her to say something. She doesn’t.

“What’s your problem, Allison?” Distaste drips from my tone. I’m done hiding the truth.

“My problem is you.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she continues to block my path. The first time I met Allison, I thought she was cute because she was so short. At just over five foot, with chocolate skin and dark wavy hair, her small frame carried a big personality. Now that I’m on the receiving end of her wrath, I am reminded how alone I am in the world. I never imagined losing my friends.

My brows lift again. I’m unsure of what she is trying to prove right now.

“You say that as if I