IAN KADE
As Ian walked to the principal's office each step getting more nervous than the last, with the loss their team delivered he knew this was not going to be good that's why he couldn't help but feel this time it's more serious, but he held his head high, once in life you lose and this was nothing new it's not a big deal...or was it?
Taking a breath, he knocked on the door and heard a rough 'come in' from the inside, he could literally taste the tension from outside. He stepped into the office and nothing could have prepared him for the cold, unforgiving glares aimed at his way. The couch stood rigid, arms crossed while the principal's lips were pressed in a firm, unreadable line. But what was more confusing was why his teammate Jeremy sitting aside in the office, something about that sent warning bells in his head.
"uh....look I get it, the loss we had was brutal but, I promise I'll work harder. I'll make sure-"
"Ian!" the couch's sharp voice cut him off as a folder was slid across him. So this wasn't about the game?
He blinked, looking at everyone before his gaze dropped to the papers inside. It took a second for the bold words to sink in and when they did so, did his breath get caught.
MEDICAL TEST RESULTS.
Immediately his mind went into panic, 'if this is a medical report does that mean they found out about my broken shoulder, did they finally realize I am not fit to play by Vortex' he thought gulping down an invisible lump "couch I can explain....." he shook his head but looking up the principal was having none of it "seriously Ian, drugs?!" that caught him off guard "wait, what-" he looked inside the papers again, these weren't just medical results they were drug test results and his name stamped all over them.
His fingers tightened around the folder, this had to be some kind of a joke, could be a mix-up or something "this, isn't right, I don't take-" he was defensive immediately "Ian" the principal's tone was heavy and laced with disappointment "the results don't lie" he added.
"I don't do drugs" Ian finally snapped slamming the folder shut "I have been on medication for-" somehow he couldn't tell them about the shoulder if they don't know it already so he kept quiet while Jeremy sighed beside him. "Ian man..." he was shaking his head as if Ian had just proved his own guilt, his voice was light almost sympathetic, but there was something else lurking beneath it, something calculated. "I warned you like a friend that this would happen" Ian's stomach twisted, "told me what?"
"I saw you taking those pills just before the game, even after telling you previously to stop already. I figured maybe you're just stressed, so I tried to help you get rid of it, but I guess I didn't say it sooner" he shrugged in defeat and Ian's jaw clenched "that's not what happened!"
Looking back at the principal seeing how doubt creeped into his eyes he could tell the damage was done, Jeremy that son of a bitch had planted the seed, whatever this was couldn't be turned back. Ian tried to open his mouth to fight back, to demand another test, to scream, but the principal held up a hand "I think we've heard enough" the finality in his voice sent a chill though his bones, he wasn't even given a chance to speak.
"Ian given the circumstances we have no choice but to remove you from the team and this isn't about you, it's about protecting the school's reputation, the integrity of the sport and the future of your teammates" 'but what about my future' he wanted to say it loud but refrained from making this dig a deeper hole.
"so, you're kicking me out?" his voice cracked raw with disbelief. His couch wouldn't even look at him, and Jeremy had the nerve to look sorry? "We won't make a public statement to make all this worse, will say something else but not about drugs, but as of today you're no longer part of the Evermore's hockey team"
No
This couldn't be happening.
His dream. His future.
His whole damn life.
"so that's it, you're going to believe, this bullshit?" he glared at Jeremy. Oh God knows how much he wants to break his neck. "It's final, Ian" those words felt like a blade to the gut. His feet staggered, he could feel the judging eyes on him, and he couldn't miss the small smirk on Jeremy. With this, he didn't know where he was going, he had nowhere to go. This scholarship from the hockey game was all kept him going, without it, he no longer had the scholarship and not to mention his financial challenges.
Couch and Jeremy walked out as he followed with his whole world crumbling "Ian wait" he heard the principal call him, was this a hope? Did he change his mind?. He looked back defeated but with a little hope "the school's decision is final but-" he hesitated as if weighing his next words "given your family situation this is the only thing I can do for you" his stomach clenched, why did that not sound good...
The office door creaked open. Ian turned, expecting to see a counselor, maybe a school rep about scholarships or something. Instead, a man in his mid-forties in a navy blazer stepped inside, his expression unreadable. His presence alone sent a chill up his spine. The man's gaze swept over Ian before he spoke
"I'm here to offer you a second chance"