Dean Tahg is the judge.
I’m on fucking trial.
“Please, Jaci, sit,” Dean Tahg says.
“Just tell me what this is about,” I say. “Get this over with. I’m going through a lot right now.”
Dean Tahg places his hand on a folder.
“I bet that folder has my real name, right?” I ask. “You know everything I bet.” I glance atthe jury. “You do too. Huh? Everyone knows the secrets of Jaci Ruby. Except me. The fucking person who has to live with this.”
“Language,” Dean Tahg said. “We’re hoping this can be a productive conversation.”
“Just tell me if I’m leaving or not,” I say.
“Leaving?” Dean Tahg asks.
“Getting kicked out of here. I know that’s why you have witnesses. So I can’t come running back and try to sue or whatever. Believe me, I never would. I don’t have that kind of power at the moment.”
“Harold, just tell her,” Linda says. “The poor thing is shaking.”
“We’re not going to remove you from campus,” Dean Tahg says.
I glance at Linda.
She nods and smiles.
Anita and Brigid are still like stone.
“So what is this?” I ask.
“It’s a warning about your grades,” Dean Tahg says. “Your attendance for your classes. You’ve done nothing, Jaci.”
“That’s what this is about?” I ask.
I’m almost relieved.
Dean Tahg isn’t happy about my reaction.
“This isn’t a joke to us,” he says.
“Of course not,” I say.
But did you know the bomb threat was a fake? Did you know that Cullen Doyle and Archer Amatti have some kind of alliance based on their ability to touch me, taste me, and fuck me? Did you know someone who doesn’t belong at DSC has been sneaking around campus? There’s a lot going on right now, so forgive me if I don’t give a fuck about economic theory.
“Are you going to call my parents?” I ask.
“This isn’t a game,” he says. “You can’t muscle your way into what you want.”
“Right,” I say. “Then I supposed I should apologize.”
“Or just show up to class,” Dean Tahg says. “This is the only formal warning you’re going to get, Jaci. And this isn’t about your family. This is about you.”
I look around the office.
It’s very quiet now.
“You’re expected to catch up on the work,” Dean Tahg says. “Plus the current work. This is not a game. It is not a joke. These are conversations I don’t like having.”