Page 217 of Save You

“I have a boyfriend,” I continue.“I…I would never get involved with a teacher.I’d never do a thing like that, I swear.”

I can’t say that it was Lydia who was seeing Mr.Sutton.That’s out of the question.Not after everything she’s been through, and everything she still has to face.I’d never abuse her trust like that.

“I don’t think you appreciate the gravity of the situation, Ruby,” Lexington continues, picking up one of the photos.“I think it is best for all concerned if you leave the school.You and Mr.Sutton are both suspended from Maxton Hall with immediate effect.”

Silence.

It feels as though someone’s pulled out the plug on me.All I can hear is a ringing in my ears.The seconds drag on in slow motion.Lexington’s mouth is moving, but I take in no sound.

“You can’t do this,” I gasp.“I need to get my A levels; I need my grades for Oxford.”

Mr.Lexington doesn’t reply, just shuffles the photos together again and puts them back in an envelope.It’s brown and I see a stamp in the top left-hand corner—presumably the return address.I squint at it and make out a curving black “B.”

My heart skips a beat.

That’s impossible.

They can’t have done that.

They’d never betray me like this.

“Who was it that said they saw me?”I ask breathlessly.

Now Lexington is looking almost pityingly at me.“That is confidential, Miss Bell.Would you now kindly leave my office?We will confirm the suspension in writing.Good day to you.”

He flicks through the pile of papers on his desk and then turns his attention back to his computer—an unmistakable sign that we’re dismissed.

No.Fucking.Way.

“Do you know how much I’ve worked my arse off for this school?”I blurt suddenly.

Mr.Lexington looks up again slowly.“Don’t make me call in security, Miss Bell.”

“You can’t throw me out just because I’m here on a scholarship and don’t have rich enough parents to bribe you to ignore rumors about me!”

“I will not be spoken to like this!”gasps Mr.Lexington.

“You absolute—”

“Ruby!”Mum cuts me off sharply.She grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the chair.

Without another word, she drags me out of the office and into the waiting area outside it.I’m raging, and stare at Lexington every step of the way until Mum slams the door behind us.

This didn’t just happen.It can’t have done.

I shake my head and turn to my mum.“Can you believe that?How sick would you have to be to dream up a thing like that?”I ask her.

Mum just shakes her head and won’t meet my eyes.Her gazeis fixed on a point somewhere over my shoulder.“I knew something like this would happen if we sent you to this bloody school.”

I flinch and my eyes narrow.“Wh…What?”

Mum shakes her head.“How could you, Ruby?”

“I’m telling you, I didn’t do anything!”I yell.

If my own mother won’t believe me, I don’t know what else to do.Despair floods through me, runs through my veins, making it hard to breathe.

“Mum, you have to believe me—I’d never kiss a teacher.”