Page 16 of Delilah In Discretion

He spared Luca one last glance. “Stay in line, Crawford.”

Luca didn’t respond, and Archer walked me inside the building. His hand holding mine made my blush deepen, and I stopped in my tracks as I pulled away.

“I can walk myself to class, Archer.”

He clenched his jaw. “Sure, you can. You should be thanking me for getting you out of that situation. It would be the…politething to do.”

“I’m a big girl, Archer. I can handle myself.”

He scoffed, and I took multiple steps back as he approached me. My back hit the wall, and he placed his hand by my head as I was reminded much of the first day and many other encounters I’d faced with him in this similar position. I wanted to push him away, but I knew better than to aggravate him…He made sure I knew that.

“If that’s your idea of being a big girl, then you’ve proven my point again that you aren’t ready to come back to the academy.”

“You don’t know anything, Archer.”

“I don’t,Princess?” he asked, false concern laced in his voice, and a blush rose to my face as he leaned in slightly. “I know this school practically crawling with people like him—”

“And like you too?” I asked him boldly, and a small smile graced his lips.

“Watch your little attitude, Delilah… we both know that’s already gotten you into trouble,” he said mockingly, and I pushed him away as best as I could, leaving him in the hall as I made my way to my next class angrily.

It was the end of the day, and I was on my way to the main office to grab my schedule and other things. Entering the office, I went to the desk in the corner with everyone’s information and started looking for mine. I looked through the R section for my last name, Russel. While searching, I overheard the conversation behind me.

“Is there any way I’ll be able to switch? I can’t be in the same class as him this semester again,” I heard a pleading voice, and I looked to see the boy who had been bullied on the first day. He glanced over at me, but I quickly looked away as if I hadn’t seen him.

“Mr. Brooks, the schedules and classes for the students have already been set for a specific reason. I’ll have to consult the dean, and even then, he may not accept... It costs $5,000 to switch a class.”

“$5,000?!” he asked, and I couldn’t help but feel bad.

“Yes, the switch is costly and may even be more depending on what major you switch to...” The boy groaned, and the woman spoke again. “You have one class with him. Other than that, you’re fine.”

He sighed. “You don’t understand... Nobody will.”

“This is why we cannot let these little differences between peers affect us. This is an expensive school, and your father went through a lot to get you here.”

I looked over my shoulder one more time as he closed his eyes in anger.

“I guess I’ll just have to endure it then,” he said and stormed out of the office.

I grabbed my things quickly and felt a sudden urge to go after him. I ran out of the office and watched as he walked down the hall angrily.

“Hey, wait up!” I yelled, and he stopped in his tracks. He looked over his shoulder and sneered as he continued, only now he was faster. I was about to prepare myself to run, but I heard a voice.

“Don’t.”

I looked over to see Archer, and I made a face.

“What do you mean, ‘don’t’?”

“He thinks we’re all the same. They all do, and as sad as it sounds, you need to accept it.”

“Didn’t I already tell you before, Archer? You don’t know anything,” I said angrily, and he crossed his arms as he approached me.

“I do know that you are the only one who doesn’t recognize the consequences of dealing with Luca. Don’t go after that kid. He doesn’t want any confrontation...”

I groaned loudly. “Who the hell cares about Luca?”

“You should. You have a reputation to uphold. Mingling with these people won’t benefit you.”

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