sitting across the table looking as if I’m about to explode doesn’t exactly prove to them that I am of stable mind. She sits with her hands folded neatly in front of her, like a model student… and everyone around her seems to be falling for her bullshit.
“On Thursday, Ms. Lenord came into our office with the counselor and submitted this printout of a picture she said you took with the intent of distributing the answers to the midterm exam.” He pinches the paper between his fingers, holding it out in my direction. Anger seeps through my veins as I grip the sides of the table, trying to keep it together. “Even after telling her that she could have submitted this anonymously, she insisted on being at this meeting to confront you.” He looks over at Felicia who maintains an innocent expression.
“Yes.” She nods, looking at everyone in the room before turning to me with a pinch in her brow. “I’ve known Jordan for years, and recently he’s changed.” She looks at the administrator. “This is unlike him, but I wanted to be here as a friend to let him know how concerned I am. He’s worked hard in this program and I’d hate to see him throw it all away,” she says, glancing back at me.
I slap the table. “Come on, this is a load of bullshit and you know it. I—”
Satchi cuts me off. “Jordan, let her finish.”
I grit my teeth and sit back in my chair as I continue to glare at her. She looks at me with wide eyes and then shifts her gaze back to the group. “See what I mean? I just want to help him.”
It takes everything I have to keep my mouth closed as I wait for the next person to speak.
“And how exactly did you get this test?” Satchi asks, looking down at the papers.
“Well,” she says, pushing her hands through her hair. “There had been a text chain going around to some of the students saying that he’d give them the answers if they paid him a hundred and fifty dollars.”
“And you paid him?” Thomas asks.
“Well, no. We haven’t been on the best terms since our breakup, so I figured he wouldn’t give it to me, fearing that I would try and hurt him.”
“Hmm…” Satchi says, nodding. “So how did you get the test?”
“I asked one of my friends to get it. I didn’t believe Jordan would do this at first, but I knew that he could get into a lot of trouble if it was true and word got out.”
“So, you’re saying that your solution to protect your friend was to turn him in?”
“I didn’t expect it to go this far. I thought that we would be meeting in a sort of intervention to get him on the right track. To get him the help that he needs right now. That’s why I took it to the counselor. She was the one who forced me to come to you guys.”
“Right,” I say with a chuckle. This bitch is unbelievable. “You knew good and well that the counselor would submit this information to the administrators. This was calculated. You’re just trying to get back at me for breaking up with you.”
“No,” she says. She fakes a look of surprise, continuing to play up her bullshit act. “I didn’t know that she would submit the information. I thought that she would try to find a way to help.”
“Bullshit,” I yell slapping the table again.
“Mr. Black,” the woman administrator says. “I’m warning you, you need to control your temper. These outbursts are doing nothing but proving Miss Lenord’s case.” I grit my teeth and fold my arms across my chest as I lean back in my seat.
Satchi looks at me, then stares at Felicia, seeming to mull over her words. The administrator clears his throat and is about to speak before Satchi slowly shakes his head and starts talking.
“You know what? I don’t buy it,” he says, looking away from Felicia. “I think she’s lying.” My eyes snap to his. “I gave you these test answers last Monday. When did you start working through student grading?” Satchi asks me.
“Umm, Thursday,” I say, thrown off by the way he’s taken control of the conversation.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He nods before turning to Thomas.
“She’s the library assistant and has been very instrumental in ensuring I return my books. I’ve allowed her in the office without my presence and I believe that she was