Hers To Keep (Servite Academy #2)

Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

SCARLETT

T he rest of the week at the cabin went by uneventfully. Thankfully, Carrington and the girls ended up leaving early, surely irritated by the little scheme they tried to pull backfired on them.

Ace and the guys were rarely around, leaving early in the mornings and coming back late in the evenings. I didn’t ask Ace where they’d go, honestly, I couldn’t care less. I was just grateful that I could spend time alone with my friends.

At night, I’d sneak into Jade and Stella’s room, or pretend I was asleep when Ace would arrive in our room, hoping to not have a repeat of our first night here. Thankfully, he didn’t push it.

I slept with him that first night out of anger, frustration, or stupidity. After everything that happened the nights before, maybe it was because of all three. I know he knows it. That night was nothing but a fluke. I used sex as an outlet to drain my inner torment and suffering, and he was the perfect victim. But I refuse to give in once again. I must remember the role he’s played in all of this, even though a part of me wishes to absolve him of everything. I know I’m missing the big picture. There’s still so much I don’t know. He’s a puppet in all of this, but you’d think he’d have the strength to escape his master’s clutches.

What I know is that Ace killed Chaz. Ace was the reason Drake was beaten near death, and he’s the culprit in his uncle’s devious schemes against me.

Regardless of what I feel, or of what I’m hoping is the truth, all I can do is face the facts. And those are not in his favor.

So here we are back at school on a Wednesday during the first week of December, with only three weeks left before our month-long winter break. Month long, because the kids here are used to going on long holiday vacations to the Alps, to warm summer beach resorts, and anywhere else their money can take them. Thankfully, that means I’ll be staying alone on campus, where I can process all that’s happened and plan my vengeance.

I walk into my homeroom class, terrified about once again coming face to face with Professor Macallan. I have yet to see him since that night I first went to The Gallows, and he drugged me and tried to take advantage of me. I don’t know where he’s gone, and honestly, I couldn't care less what happens to him. He is a vile being, taking advantage of his place of power to do horrible things. I’m afraid of what else he could have done or has done. I left for class earlier than usual this morning hoping to avoid Ace, were he to decide to walk with me. We haven’t spoken in a few days, nor have we seen each other since he dropped me off at the Dahlia House after we arrived back from the cabin.

But now, it is inevitable for us to see each other once again. After all, we are back at school which means the charade is to continue. As far as everyone else knows we are a happy couple, in love, and in control. But appearances are deceiving, and the truth is much more transparent.

Luckily, I’m one of the first ones to arrive, essentially dodging all the glowering stares from my gracious classmates. Little by little the class fills up, and thankfully I’m ignored in my spot sitting in the far back of the classroom. A few stares here and there, but none daring to sit in any of the surrounding seats, and definitely no one speaks to me. I’m relieved, but also know it unfortunately won’t last long.

That’s when he finally enters, sucking all the air out of the room as only he knows how to do whenever he enters any space. The murmuring and whispers cease, not a soul moves; I’m surprised they continue to breathe, as their king enters and his eyes connect with mine as he does. His glare is a mixture of anger and lust. Surely, he’s pissed I didn't wait for him this morning so we could enter the classroom together, therefore keeping up the appearance of the power couple, and the lust in his eyes must be from the days we’ve gone without a simple touch. I know this because despite what I keep telling myself to feel, I am certain I have the same look in my eyes as I watch him approach me. Without a word, he sits in the seat to my right, not bothering to even look my way. I know that’s exactly what I hoped for, but I can’t help feeling irritated by his dismissal.

Class is once again interrupted, but this time by Headmistress LeBlanc, who enters slamming the door behind her. She walks up to the podium at the front of the class, dropping her briefcase loudly on the desk beside her.

“As some of you may or may not know, Professor Macallan had to step away from his position here at Servite Academy for personal reasons. It is a tragic loss to have him no longer part of our faculty here and I know you will all miss him dearly in his absence.” My heart beats rapidly, my palms sweating as she delivers the news of Macallan’s departure. I turn to Ace whose gaze remains stuck to his empty desk, refusing to look my way. “So instead of hiring a new staff member so late in the semester, and well, not really knowing the length of Professor Macallan’s hiatus, I’ve decided to once again step into the classroom and take over his class. ”

The class starts snickering and whispering to each other as she delivers her news. “Silence,” she shouts, and the class immediately quiets down. “Yes, this may come as a shock to many, but I once stood at this very podium as an English teacher before becoming headmistress. Instead of following along with Professor Macallan’s syllabus, we will only do weekly readings in which you will all be required to provide detailed reports. We will focus most of the class preparing for your upcoming midterms. As next semester is the last of your senior year, we will be vigorously finishing your college applications and preparing for your entrance exams.”

The class groans, each student preferring Macallan’s unorthodox way of teaching to LeBlanc’s meticulous and tedious reports and tests.

We spend the rest of the time going over the first book we are to read and review, and of course it’s The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Very fitting given my situation with Ace and the betrayal I committed against Drake. Once again life plays a cruel trick on me, practically laughing at the predicaments I seem to keep finding myself in.

The Scarlet Letter’s principal theme is of adultery and the shame brought forth for their sins, especially for Hester Prynne who committed said adultery, and how they forced her to wear a scarlet letter A on her clothing. But it also deals with the stigmatism of what it means to be immoral and a sinner, of how her life was ruined by the judgment of others over the choices she made and the fallout of her mistakes.

And I feel as if I’m living life in Hester Prynne’s shoes.