The Destruction of Rose by Rachel M Raithby

Author:Rachel M Raithby [Raithby, Rachel M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I don’t get to experience being the center of gossip long because Mrs. Chandler calls me into her office the second I step onto school grounds. I almost trip when I find Sophia, Grayson, and Ashton waiting in her office as I enter. Sophia glares at me, Grayson smirks, and Ash keeps his head down. I’m pleased he does because I’m not sure I’m ready to see what he hides in his eyes.

“Miss Devenport, take a seat.” The second I do, the printed posters about me and my father are slammed down on the desk between us. “Would any of you care to explain these?”

I look everywhere but at the other people in the room. I was ready to face the elite but not the wrath of Mrs. Chandler. The silence is deafening, and I have no idea what to say.

“No? Not one of you knows anything about this?” Mrs. Chandler demands. “Rose? What about you? I presume it wasn’t your idea to plaster your family’s affairs all over school property?”

“No, miss, it wasn’t.”

“So, who did?” She gazes at each of us. But I know better than to call them out on their crimes. “There have been several reports of Rose and Sophia fighting yesterday. I am not stupid. I know how this school operates. This ends here, today. We are a school that prides itself on exclusivity and academic standards, not gossip and scandal. Whatever the four of you have against each other will not spill over into these halls. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mrs. Chandler,” we all chime together.

“Good. Now get to class.”

I stand hastily, wanting to escape the room before Sophia and Grayson.

“Oh, Rose, Sophia, I almost forgot to say… I do hope this little misunderstanding isn’t going to get in the way of your ability to plan the fall gala?”

Glancing back, I find Sophia’s pale skin a shade of pink, her fists clenched. “She’s still on the event committee?”

“Why wouldn’t she be? Violet Devenport has graciously offered her expertise free of charge. I expect this year’s event to be our best yet. Understand, Sophia?”

“Yes, of course.”

I almost laugh. Sophia might sound sincere, but her body is rigid with rage. It helps lessen the blow from yesterday; satisfaction is always a good motivator.

When it appears nothing more is going to be said, I rush for the door, striding ahead to put some distance between us.

“Where’s the fire, Keeley?” Grayson calls, his laughter following me.

“Leave it, will you, Gray?” Ash hisses.

I can’t make out their conversation after that, only Sophia’s growl of frustration and the lower timbre of Grayson’s comeback. I can imagine though, Ash is probably regretting ever speaking, but he did, and it affects me far more than I’d like it too.

I am the master of my emotions, I remind myself, even as my stupid heart flutters hopefully, dreaming of an Ash I can never have.

***

Despite Mrs. Chandler’s warning, several posters find their way to me. One is slapped across my back as a student runs

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