On the way to the principal's office, I fought with myself. On one hand, I wanted them to call Thomas and for him to manage his son, simultaneously hoping that Jude would have enough of being abused and run away from home.
On the other hand, I couldn't let them call Thomas, in fear that he would also discover that there was a fire. My intuition was screaming at me that I couldn't let him find out.
Jude walked behind me, and I could hear his even steps. His calmness vexed me so much that I nearly snapped at him a few times.
Why was I the only one worrying when this wasn't even about me? In a corner where there were no cameras or students, I stopped and turned around,
"Do you understand the consequences of your actions?" I asked him quietly.
"I do." He answered simply, unimpressed.
"No, you do not." I came closer to him, whispering,
"The fire and now this, it is just a matter of time until you are caught."
"Yeah." Jude nodded. Straightening up, he tilted his head, his hands still in his pockets.
"So, you have to stay." His eyes found mine, his gaze piercing.
"What?" I was stunned; I didn't even understand what he was going on about.
"You have to stay and protect me." There was a hint of a smile playing around the corner of his mouth, his ravishingly handsome face taking on a playful note.
Did he know that I would leave? Wait, was that his way of getting me to stay? What a.....psycho?! He thought that because I saved him once, he could come up with this kind of green tea strategy, bringing himself into danger so that I would stand up and save him, forsaking my own life and safety?
And the real scandal was, that while he so openly let me know his plan, he was still sure that I would play my part?
I was stunned into silence, needing time to digest this, asking myself if I was the strange one while Jude and Thomas' were actually normal? They did their lunacies so casually that I really started to question my own sanity.
Wordlessly, I turned around and presumed my way to the principal's office, hearing Jude starting to stroll after me.
I had to pause for a moment to gather my fighting spirits. I will get Jude out of this because both incidents had happened because I was insulted and Jude tried to stand up for me. Not because I care about him, and I will also stop now to remain on his side.
That's my farewell gift. Not because I am playing in his hands. My decision.
And at least... he hadn't set the student on fire?
No kid can be disappointing as long as one lowers their expectations. And my expectations for Jude had arrived at a new low, it seemed.
Going inside, I told the secretary that I needed a substitute teacher in the sports hall because the students were alone at the moment. She agreed and informed me that the principal was alone, so I took Jude and walked into his office after a short knock.
We have only seen each other in the morning, which also had Jude as the indirect reason, by the way.
"Principal..." I would love to call him grandpa like the old folks in the village, snitch on Jude and whine about my problems for the older generation to take over and knock sense in that kid.
"Teacher Lesly, what's wrong?" The principal stood up when he saw me hesitating.
"My kid has hit a fellow student. There was blood, but nothing was broken. He is currently at the infirmary."
The principal looked at Jude,
"Is that true?"
"Yes." Jude answered honestly.
"For what reason did you hit him?" The principal massaged the bridge of his nose.
Jude licked his lips; the view alone reminded me of the day before yesterday, sending me into a daze.
"He insulted me."
The principal had read the reports I wrote, and besides me leaving out that the students talked about me before the fire started, I noted down that they exchanged obscenities over females. They were also insulting someone.
Going back to his desk and sitting down, my greatest fear came true. The principal sighed,
"Have you set the student on fire?" His eyes turned sharp as he watched Jude.
"No." Neither too fast nor too slow, Jude lied without batting an eyelid.
The principal didn't show whether he believed him or not; he just leaned against his backrest.
"This time I will have to contact your father; the combination of this being the second incident in Teacher Lesly's lesson, so shortly after the fire at that, and with you two being stepmother and stepson, this doesn't look good..."
Jude's eyes turned to me; he seemed perplexed that the principal knew about my identity already; naturally, he would know at the very latest after meeting us at the soirée. Besides, I told him first.
"No." I shook my head, and the principal sighed again, seemingly helpless.
"No, you can't." I repeated, anxiety gripping me; what will Thomas do to Jude when he knows about this?
"He owns shares, if he wanted to find out, he will. And, Jude is now more suspicious than the others regarding the fire."
"Jude, show him your back." I commanded; my options were running out.
Jude's abyss-like eyes found mine, and I didn't know what he wanted to tell me with his unreadable gaze.
"It's okay." I nodded at him. The principal is a good grandpa.
Jude smiled cryptically before turning around. My eyes flicked at the principal, who hadn't moved, apparently already having a premonition about what was to follow.
I wanted to look away from my stepson taking his clothes off, but I couldn't. Jude's arms reached for the fabric of his P.E. shirt, lifting it and showing his muscles, strong back, and smooth skin marred with scars and new wounds. The sight was shocking and painful to look at.
The principal's face blackened considerably, and my hope rose as I spoke,
"You can't tell him. Jude didn't set the fire."
I took a deep breath,
"He is innocent."
***************************
Until I was fifteen, nothing changed, except that I perceived your care in a new light.
Although you were a monster, I had already fallen too deep.
I concentrated on how to get rid of her instead; if both of you were this sick, the world should be at least freed of her.
And then, there would only be me left, who would be aware of the real 'you'. And hopefully, you will forget her.
However, when I was fifteen, the Baby appeared. I would have no way to know if it was yours or hers, never having seen any signs of its existence before it was brought home. But it was clear that it had to be either your child or hers. The blonde hair, the blue eyes—she was as beautiful as you and as deadly as 'she' was.
You loved the baby so much.
This hell gave me another challenge—another rival competing for your love.