Page 61 of Raise 'Em Up

“Lennox, Dean Adams is requesting you this morning,” Colton tells me as I walk out of the kitchen. He’s holding a note, which must have just been delivered. I thought I’d heard a knock on the door.

“I wonder why,” I mutter, putting my shoes on and grabbing my backpack. I have class in an hour. “I hope it doesn’t take long.”

Donny walks in with Cobbler in his arms, and he smiles while carrying her to her food bowl.

I don't know what Teo was thinking by getting him a puppy, but it has helped his depression, so I'm not complaining, even though she likes to pee in people's shoes and chew the TV remote.

Colt hands me the note and I leave the apartment, moving up the stairs. The girls are laughing and I can smell fresh croissants. I don’t stop to chat, though I hear Rylee having fun.

She’s been happier since living here with us, and though it was a pain in the ass, I’m glad that Missi is finally gone. I wonder if that’s why the Dean needs to see me. Everyone knows that my father was the one who convinced the school board to replace Dean Kondum, and revealed his secrets about Missi Kondum.

Walking along the quiet campus, I take in the smell of spring. Pretty soon, competition season is going to begin and we will all be so busy. We’ll eat, sleep, and dream about cheer.

People find it weird that I love cheering as much as I do, but it’s always been a part of me. I think we need to normalize more men being cheerleaders. Yes, I may be bi-sexual, but that has nothing to do with it.

The Black Widows are my family. Yes, we fight, and sometimes we won’t talk to each other for a few days, but we love and trust one another. You need to when you have someone’s life in your hand.

Tossing a flier ten feet in the air with only a basket catch to protect them is suicidal, some would say, but to us, it’s the type of adrenaline we crave.

When I reach the Dean's office, I'm surprised to see my father there alongside a security guard.

My father smirks at me, and I instantly know this isn't going to be good.

“What's going on?” I ask, and the Dean gives me a frown.

“Mr. Crane, why don't you step into my office and we can have a little chat,” she says, holding her hand out for me to enter first.

I take a seat in front of her desk, as she and my father whisper quietly. Looking over my shoulder, to make sure she's not coming, I grab my phone and text a 911 in the group chat.

The door shuts, and the click of her heels are the only thing I hear through the pounding in my ears.

My palms are sweaty and my heart is racing.

“Am I in trouble?” I blurt as soon as she's sitting, and she looks me over. My knee is bouncing and I feel like running away.

“Lennox, is there anything you wish to confess to me?” she asks and I shake my head.

“No. What is going on?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, can you please tell me what this is regarding?” I try to remain polite, but I know I'm getting snappy.

“I see.” She sighs, standing and moving to take the seat beside me. She grabs a folder off her desk as she walks by.

“I'm going to be frank here. We found trace amounts of narcotics in your urine. As you know, we undertake mandatory urine tests before competitions. Yours failed. And after talking with your father, he's confessed to covering for you for the past few years.”

“What?” I gasp, my eyes are wide open and I don't know what else to say. What the hell is she talking about?

“Frankly, Lennox, we're worried about you. Not to mention how dangerous it is for you to remain on the team while on drugs. As of right now, you are removed from the Black Widows, and I'm placing you on academic probation.”

“You can't do this. It's not true. I didn’t do anything. I don't take drugs!” Jumping to my feet, I turn to storm out of the office. Before I can take a breath, I smash my fist into my asshole father’s face.

“Mr. Crane!” the Dean shouts, but I don't care.

My father wipes the blood from his lip with his thumb and gives me a smirk. I can see the rage in his eyes, but he's keeping his composure, for appearance’s sake.

“It’s fine,” he says. “I have arranged for you to get the help you need, son. We only want what's best for you.”

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