Zack left embarrassed after my teasing comment. I stood there for a moment, still shaken, before pulling myself together. My cheek still stung and my legs felt unsteady, but I didn't want to stay in that hallway any longer. I wiped my eyes quickly and headed back to class.
When I went in Mr Will was already in the class, he asked me where I have been, I told him I was in the restroom.
"Oh!''
''I'm sorry sir'' Students stared at me but I kept my head down and slide into my seat near the back. Hudson glanced at me, but I avoided looking at him directly.
The classroom door swung open, a woman walked in it was Hudson's mom the principal
''I'm sorry to interrupt your teaching Mr. Will, Hudson I need you in my office now!!!'' She said angrily
''Oh no'' Hudson muttered
''Now'' she said and walked away angrily
This time, my gaze met his, and I tried to look away I couldn't , I want to know why his mom wants to see him, probably she saw the video on the school website. Oh Mehn, I'm cooked.
Whispers broke out the second they left the classroom
"He's definitely in trouble''
"I heard his dad found out about the video''
"No way''
I lowered my head and gripped my pen tighter, this was my fault.
If I hadn't gone to the party.....if I hadn't gotten drunk.....if that stupid video hadn't been recorded....none of this would be happening.
In the principal's office, Hudson stood in front of his mother while she paced furiously.
"I can't believe you did this!'' she shouted
"Mom, listen_''
"No, you listen!'' she snapped .
''Do you have any idea how bad this looks? you have embarrassed yourself, you have embarrassed me, and you've ruined the school reputation!"
Hudson clenched his jaw.
''It wasn't like that''.
''Not like that?'' she laughed bitterly. "The entire school has seen the video, Hudson!"
He ran his hand through his hair.
''I don't care! You came back to this school and brought nothing but trouble. When your father transferred you out months ago, i thought you would stay in military school and finally lean discipline. Instead, you came back here and created another mess.''
Before Hudson could answer, the office door opened.
Both of them turned. A tall man stepped inside, Hudson froze, it was his father.
''What are you doing here George?'' Hudson's mom asked
''I had a flight scheduled,'' he replied coldly. ''It was cancelled. I decided to come see how you're handling this situation.''
She folded her arms.
''And now that you've see me handling it?"
Hudson's father scoffed
''It's exactly as i expected''
The tension in the room became unbearable.
''Can both of you stop?" Hudson snapped.
Both parents turned towards him.
''Maybe if you'd listened for one second, you'd understand that i didn't plan any of this"
His father's face darkened Immediately.
"Watch your tone"
"Dad...'
"I said watch your tone!''
Hudson looked away in frustration.
''It was a mistake,''
''A mistake?'' his father barked. ''You call humiliating yourself and becoming the talk of the entire school a mistake?''
''Dad we only kissed'' Hudson said boldly
His father landed a slap across his face.
''Oh my God...don't hit him George!!'' Hudson's mom snapped. Hudson slowly turned his face back, his jaw tightened. Eyes burn with anger.
''Go pack your things,'' his father said coldly.
Hudson stared at him.
''Now!!''
Neither parent spoke.
"You are leaving this school today."
His mother's expression changed.
"Wait—"
"No," his father interrupted. "He's coming back with me."
Hudson laughed bitterly.
"Of course."
"Military school clearly didn't teach you enough. Maybe this time it will."
Without another word, Hudson turned and walked out of the office.
The classroom door suddenly swung open.
Everyone looked up. Mr. Wilson paused in the middle of his lesson.
Hudson walked inside without saying a word, The room immediately fell silent.
He went straight to his seat and grabbed his backpack, I was surprised
"Hudson?"
No response.
"Hey... what's wrong?"
Nothing. He didn't even look at me. He just continued stuffing his books into his bag, My chest tightened.
The entire class watched in confusion.
Even Zack looked surprised.
When Hudson finished, he slung the backpack over his shoulder and walked out.
Just like that, No explanation.
Word spread quickly through the school. Students crowded the hallways.
"What happened?"
"Is he suspended?"
"Is he getting expelled?"
Nobody knew.
I followed the crowd until I reached the lockers, Hudson was there, He opened his locker and emptied it aggressively.
Books, Notebooks, Folders, Everything.
Then he slammed the locker door so hard that the sound echoed through the hallway.
For a second, our eyes me.
I wanted to say something, Anything, But he looked away first.
Then he walked past me.
"Hudson wait! What happened?" I asked but he didn't listen
He headed Straight out of the building, Straight toward the black car waiting outside, His father's car.
He climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door, Then he sat there silently.
And for the first time meeting Hudson...I felt like I was about to lose him.
A few moments later, the principal's office door opened.
Hudson's father stepped out, The hallway seemed to go quiet around me.
His eyes landed on me almost immediately, For a second, I thought maybe he would keep walking.
But he didn't, He stopped.
Just stood there, Looking at me.
And I knew he recognized me, from the video.
My stomach dropped, Neither of us said a word.
I couldn't.
The look on his face made me feel even worse than I already did.
He stared for what felt like forever.
Then he turned away.
Without saying a single word to me, he walked past and headed toward the exit.
The moment the black car disappeared through the school gates, the whispers started.
At first, they were quiet. Then they became louder.
"What just happened?"
"Did Hudson get expelled?"
"Why was his father looking at Charlotte like that?"
I froze.
Suddenly, one of the girls from the crowd stepped forward.
"Are you happy now?" she snapped.
I blinked.
"What?"
"Don't act innocent!" another girl shouted. "Hudson is leaving because of you!"
The crowd grew larger, More students gathered around.
My chest tightened.
"It wasn't my fault—"
"Everything is your fault!" someone yelled.
A girl pushed my shoulder, I stumbled backward.
"First you're a murderer."
Another shove.
"Then you ruin Hudson's life."
I tried to speak, Nobody listened.
The noise became overwhelming, Voices, Accusations, Anger. I couldn't even tell who was talking anymore.
A crumpled paper hit my arm.
Then another, Someone threw a notebook.
The crowd pressed closer, I felt trapped.
"Leave me alone!" I shouted.
Nobody cared, Tears filled my eyes.
Everything was happening too fast.
The video, someone trying to rape me, Hudson leaving.
Now this.
It was too much.
Several teachers rushed into the hallway after hearing the commotion.
"Enough!"
"Back to your classrooms!"
"Move!"
But the students wouldn't calm down immediately.
Then a familiar voice cut through the chaos.
"Move."
Zack.
The crowd hesitated.
"Didn't you hear me?" Zack snapped. "Move."
Students slowly stepped aside.
He pushed through the crowd until he reached me.
For a moment, he just stared.
My lip was bleeding, My face was covered in tears.
I looked completely broken.
Something dark flashed across his expression.
Without saying a word, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
Then he grabbed my hand.
"Come on."
I didn't resist, I was too exhausted.
Too overwhelmed.
The crowd watched silently as Zack led me away.
For once, nobody followed.