*All characters in this story are over 18, and it is entirely a work of fiction. It is dedicated to the real HeadMaster, who inspired this story, and is always in my corner.*
My first semester at college was one big, glorious, non-stop party. No high school teachers nagging me, no curfew that anyone really cared about. My grades were not good, but did it really make any difference? My father was a huge donor of the school, and I knew I didn't have anything to worry about. He pressured my high school principal into giving me a diploma, and he'd take care of any messes I got into here, too. Ah, the wonderful things that money can buy...
Freshman English was the worst, though. It was at 8 am, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get out of it. Even worse, the instructor, Mrs. Richards, took attendance. Most of my other professors didn't care who showed up. This was college, and they were happy to let us sink or swim. Not this troll, though, and it really cramped my social life. At least I had a friend in the class, Emily, and we sat in the back and talked about whatever we wanted to, while Old Lady Richards droned on about writing essays.
Emily was dating a sophomore on the football team, and we were talking about their latest petting session. I guess we were giggling too loudly, because the dragon suddenly called my name out loud.
"Yes?" I said, as rudely as I dared.
Maybe she didn't know who my father was. She'd soon find out.
"Headmaster's office, right now, young lady. He's expecting you."
I winked at Emily, grabbed my books and left the lecture hall. Headmaster Davidson was an imposing figure, what little I had seen of him, but even he would be powerless to do anything to the daughter of an influential booster like my father. I was actually kind of happy to have a free pass from my least favorite class, so I was smiling when I got to his office.
Headmaster Davidson's secretary seemed to be expecting me, because as soon as I approached her desk she gave me a knowing smirk.
"Go right in, Miss Young. He's expecting you."
I gave her my best condescending smile, certain her attitude would change once she realized who I was. Maybe I'd even have my father get her fired. Turning the handle, I registered briefly how very heavy the door was. I knew enough about architecture to know that this was a solid core door, not the lightweight ones most school offices had. It probably just meant that the school had too much money to blow. I closed the door behind me and looked around nonchalantly. Best to establish right up front that I wasn't intimidated.
Headmaster's desk was a massive affair, probably oak, and stained a dark color. The room was dimly lit, with stuffy pictures on the walls. Reminded me a bit of my father's study, even down to the thick rugs on the floors. I dropped my backpack in a chair by the door, and raised my eyebrows at Headmaster. He was seated behind the desk, watching my every move.
We both waited for each other to speak, but I guess I blinked first. His impassive stare was a little nerve wracking.
"You wanted to see me?"
I deliberately left off any honorific. He might be the most important person at the school, but I was probably the richest one. Let the poorer girls be polite.
"Miss Young, it is customary to present oneself at my desk when called to my office."
His tone was mild, but something about the manner of his delivery made me wander up to his desk. No need to get him flustered right away. I rested my fingertips on the edge of his desk, determined not to say another word until he did. Best to establish the hierarchy now.
"Mrs. Richards tells me that you were talking in her class, again."
I just smiled. Lots of people talked in class. Surely he had something better than that.
"I'm also looking at your GPA, and it's abysmal. Do you understand that you will be on academic probation by the end of the semester, young lady?"
I probably should have held my tongue, but this guy was really getting on my nerves. I was a bit hung over from the frat party I'd attended the night before, and really done with this whole conversation.