Chapter 4

"Third," I sneered, my eyes sweeping over Emmett. "Emmett says he never read the letter. Sir, you can check the security footage.

"During morning study hall, Emmett sat in the back, laughing at that letter for a full five minutes. He even bragged to the guys next to him about how hot Danica is.

"How could he say he didn't read it then?"

Emmett's face turned ashen, panic flickering in his eyes.

"You're making this up. When did I ever brag about that? Janelle, are you really going to lie to get yourself off the hook?" he shouted.

He lunged at me, grabbing for my collar, looking like a dog whose tail had been stepped on, completely losing it.

"What do you think you're doing? How dare you fight in front of me?" the dean slammed his hand on the desk.

Emmett sullenly pulled his hand back, his chest heaving. He jabbed a finger at me, gritting his teeth.

He said, "Alright, Janelle, you really are something. Since you're so shameless, don't expect me to go easy on you anymore."

He turned to the dean, his expression hardening with resolve. "Sir, Janelle is a troublemaker. If you don't deal with her seriously, who's going to feel safe in the class?

"I want the school to give her a demerit. If you don't, I'll get my dad involved and have him come down to the school."

Emmett's dad was a member of the Board of Trustees and made generous donations to the school every year.

That was exactly why Emmett could throw his weight around and act like he owned the place.

The dean's face changed, obviously concerned about Emmett's family connections.

He took a deep breath, and the anger in his eyes faded, replaced by a cold, disdainful look.

It was the kind of look one gave a pawn one decided to throw away.

"Janelle, with that attitude and no sign of remorse, don't expect the school to cut you any slack," the dean said, his voice icy.

He sank back into his chair, grabbed his pen, and scribbled my name down hard on the disciplinary form.

"Call your parents. I want them at the school immediately. This isn't going to blow over anytime soon," he said.

Emmett curled his lips into a smug grin, mouthing to me, "Dumbass."

Danica finally dropped the act, standing next to Emmett with a look that screamed victory, her eyes dripping with sarcasm.

I stared at them, fury blazing inside me, but I locked it away deep in my chest.

Call my parents?

My parents, who only ever favored my brother and leeched off me, would only beat me without caring about the truth, then go kiss up to Emmett's family.

That was exactly what Emmett wanted.

He wanted to crush my dignity and leave me completely isolated, with no one on my side.

"Fine, I'll call," I said.

I pulled out my phone, letting my finger hover over the screen for a moment.

But the number I dialed wasn't my dad's, and it wasn't my mom's.

It was to the police.

I said, "Hello? Is this the police? Someone at my school has been verbally harassing and threatening me, and they're abusing their authority to punish me unfairly. My safety has been threatened."

Since they wanted to blow things up, let's go all the way.

"Janelle, are you out of your mind?" the dean shouted.

His pen clattered to the desk, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Emmett stared at me like I was some kind of monster, his smug grin freezing on his face, replaced by shock and disbelief.

"Why are you calling the police? This is a school. You're wasting police resources," the dean shouted, jumping out of his chair and making a grab for my phone.

I dodged to the side, calmly recited the school's address and the office number to the operator without missing a beat, then quickly hung up.

"Sir, you saw how Emmett tried to hit me right in front of you. He even threatened to use his dad's connections to get me expelled.

"I'm just a defenseless girl, terrified out of my mind. Is it so wrong for me to ask the police for help?" I said.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket, smirking at them.

"This is an outrage!" The dean was shaking with rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at me. "Janelle, you're destroying the school's reputation. You're bringing ruin upon yourself."

"Ruin upon me?" I scoffed.

I stepped forward, fixing the dean with a hard stare. "Sir, when Emmett threatened to drag his dad in here to pressure you, did you say anything about him ruining my life?

"When Danica tried to smear me with her jealousy nonsense, did you even bother to ask for proof?

"And now, when I'm finally standing up for myself, you're the one freaking out?"

The dean was so angry his face went ashen, but he was left completely speechless.

Emmett finally snapped out of it. He'd probably never seen me show acting so tough before. For a second, panic flashed in his eyes, but rage quickly took over.

"Janelle, quit acting tough. Calling the cops? You really think they'll bother with this petty crap? You just want to blow things up and make me look bad, right?" he spat.