Hex POV
The walk to the headmaster's office felt longer than usual. Every step echoed like it was announcing my crime to the whole building.
Marcos was there.
Bruised.
Swollen.
Looking like he lost a boxing match with a hurricane.
The headmaster sat behind his desk, fingers pressed together like he was preparing a speech for a courtroom.
Then the door opened again.
Marcos' dad walked in.
The temperature dropped.
The headmaster began. "Charles, Marcos, fighting on school grounds is a serious violation. Violence is not tolerated—"
Marcos' dad suddenly cut him off.
"How dare you touch my son?"
I laughed quietly.
Wrong move.
"He touched me first," I said. "He just didn't expect me to hit harder."
Marcos glared at me. His dad stepped closer.
"You think this is funny?" he asked.
"You want honesty?" I said, staring straight at him. "He's a murderer's son."
The room froze.
Marcos shot up from his chair. "Shut up!"
I didn't stop.
"And you," I added, looking at his father, "you're the husband of a killer. A murderer."
The slap came before I even saw it.
CRACK.
My head snapped to the side.
My cheek burned instantly. Like someone pressed fire into my skin.
"How dare you speak to me like that, you fool!" he shouted.
I tasted blood.
But I didn't fall.
I looked back at him slowly.
I wasn't scared.
I was furious.
The door suddenly burst open.
Jay.
Keifer.
Section E.
They had arrived.
Everything that happened after that… I watched in pieces.
Jay walking to me, her voice sharp.
"What did you do?"
Me avoiding her eyes.
Her noticing the slap mark.
"Who hit you?"
"I'm fine."
"Who hit you?"
"I did," Marcos' father answered.
Then the arguments started again.
The headmaster talking about discipline.
Jay defending me.
Marcos bragging about his dad's power.
"What a joke," I said. "You want to make my life miserable? Very funny."
"Hex, keep quiet," Jay warned.
Keifer stepping forward like some calm lawyer in a teenage body.
When the headmaster said expel, my chest tightened.
Expelled?
For punching someone who deserved it?
But then Keifer spoke.
About me.
Said I help classmates.
Said I'm respectful.
Said I'm hurting.
I didn't look at him.
But I heard every word.
Finally—
"Charles Navarro, you are suspended for one week."
Not expelled.
Suspended.
Keifer breathed out. "Thank you, sir."
Jay looked at him like he just performed magic.
He walked over to me. "You good now?"
I looked at him.
Didn't answer.
"Come on. Let's go."
I followed him out.
Outside, Mila, James, and Kieren were waiting.
Mila rushed forward and handed me my bag. "I'll send you the notes, okay?"
I grinned. "No way. I'm going to enjoy this one week in my room. Peace. Snacks. Freedom."
James blinked. "Look at this boy."
Mila shook her head. "You never change."
Jay walked out a moment later. "Come on. Let's go home."
Home.
Danger zone.
I turned to Keifer quickly. "Can I stay with you?"
He blinked. "Why?"
"Because Jay is going to scold me the entire way home. Then Angelo will find out. Then I'll be doomed."
Jay folded her arms. "It's good you know now. Let's go."
I sighed dramatically.
This is it.
One week suspension.
One angry sister.
One possible Angelo lecture.
Maybe I should've aimed for two punches.
Keifer laughed and pushed me lightly. "Move, suspended boy."
We started walking.
And honestly?
The slap still burned.
But somehow…
It didn't feel like I lost.
End of chapter.