“Raphael Robinson, you’re needed at the principal’s office now.” Called the shrill voice of Ms. Cathy over the PA system.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Raphael rolled his eyes and everyone turned back to their essays.

“Raphael Robinson, please come to the principal’s office now.” Came the voice again.

This time, Mr. Oliver fixed him a pointed stare.

He got up lazily, picked up his book, then slung his bag across his back and walked out of the class and down the hallway to the principal’s office.

Raphael had been in English class; his least favorite class.

Usually, he’d have been happy about the interruption, but this time, his mind wasn’t at rest.

He slowed his pace.

Being called to the principal’s office wasn’t new for him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t like the other times.

“Hi, Miss Cathy.” Raphael greeted as he walked into the office.

Miss Cathy was the principal’s assistant.

She was a kind, middle aged woman with long grayish blonde hair and tortoise shell glasses.

He and her had built a quiet relationship over the past couple of months and she usually greeted him with a wide smile.

Today though, was different.

She looked up from her computer and smiled sadly at Raphael.

“You can go in dear; the principal is expecting you.”

Raphael nodded but remained rooted to the spot.

“Ms. Cathy, is everything alright?” he asked.

“You know I can’t tell you anything Raphael” she replied quietly.

“Yes but, I can’t go in there blind.” He said.

“I can’t help you today, Raph.” Came her quiet reply as she went back to her typing.

He nodded as his heart began beating loudly.

He walked past her to the principal’s door and just as he was about to raise his hand to knock, he hesitated.

He turned back to look at Ms. Cathy, who was still typing, before he turned to the door and knocked.

“Come in.” came the answer almost immediately.

He pushed open the door and his heart sunk instantly.

Sitting there in the principal’s office looking all smug and self-satisfied was Trina; his ex-girlfriend.

He looked at Principal Newton; a fat, old, white man whose hairline had receded behind his ears. Principal Newton’s elbows were resting on his desk.

“Take a seat, Mr. Robinson. We have a lot to discuss.” Said Principal Newton as he gestured to the seats in front of him, the only free one was beside Trina.

He sat down reluctantly. His back straight against the chair.

Trina gave him a smug smile as she watched him sit.

Raphael refused to look at her.

I should have known it was fucking Trina and that bloody Mr. Matthias. He thought angrily.

“Ms. Parks here has laid a serious allegation against you.” Principal Newton said.

“Take whatever she says with a grain of salt sir, this bitch is a pathological liar.” Raphael said angrily.

“Watch your language, Mr. Robinson.” Replied the principal casually, as he twirled around in his chair.

“Anyway, Ms. Parks has proof.” He continued.

“Proof of what?” Raphael asked incredulous, as he looked from the principal to Trina.

Principal Newton slid him a phone across the table.

He caught it and held it up.

Trina’s phone. He thought, noticing the pink phone case.

“Play the video, Mr. Robinson.” Instructed Principal Newton.

Raphael looked down at the phone suspiciously and played the video displayed on the screen.

It was a video of him, in complete school uniform smoking weed.

“Shit.” He swore lightly.

In the 20 second clip, he was laughing as he rolled the weed, lit the stick and took a long drag before letting out the smoke in quick succession at the person holding the camera.

His heart shattered and he dropped the phone instantly.

“And so? Almost everyone smokes weed.” He said with more confidence than he felt.

“Not on school premises they don’t.” came Trina’s snide remark from beside him.

Fuck. He thought.

He glared at Trina.

She had made that video.

He remembered that day.

* * *

FLASHBACK

Raphael let out a cloud of smoke as someone pushed the door open.

He had just finished writing his mock SAT exam and had come to the abandoned class behind the school to relieve stress aka smoke weed.

Trina walked in holding two boxes.

“Hey baby” she said a sing-song voice as she dropped the goodies on a table nearby, before walking up to him and wrapping her hands around his neck.

Raphael was seated on a table, so Trina was slightly taller than him.

He ran his eyes down the length of her body and took her in.

She was beautiful.

Lean with dark chocolate skin, long legs that were on display in her impossibly short school skirt and a small sexy body that was heavily accentuated by the fitted uniform she wore.

She was very much his type.

“Hey sweetheart.” He replied, skillfully placing his hands on her waist and planting a kiss on her lips.

Trina grumbled at the kiss and he went again, this time he kissed her deeply.

They broke apart panting for breath.

“What are those?” Raphael asked gesturing to the things on the table.

“Oh well, I know how stressed exams make you so I brought you some food so we can sit together and de-stress.” Trina replied as she opened the first box and revealed a delicious, steaming hot pizza.

“Pepperoni pizza with extra cheese” She declared.

He nodded approvingly.

“And hot, spicy wings.” She said as she opened the second box.

Raphael smiled.

“My favorites.” He said.

“I know.” Trina giggled.

“Thanks baby, I really appreciate it.” Raphael said as he got up and planted a kiss on Trina’s forehead, before grabbing a slice of pizza.

“So how were your exams?” She asked as she picked up a slice for herself and settled into the seat beside him.

They both talked and laughed for what felt like hours.

Trina had recorded the video while teasing him about how funny he looked smoking in school uniform.

He had simply laughed then self consciously taken the blazer off.

* * *

PRESENT DAY

Principal Newton cleared his throat, bringing Raphael back to the present day.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to show that video to the school board and you’ll have to face the disciplinary panel. At Ridgewood, we have a strict policy against drugs of any kind.” He said matter-of-factly.

Raphael nodded.

He knew he was going to get expelled. AGAIN.

He took one last look at Trina as he got up.

She was smiling brightly, her pearly white teeth a huge contrast against her skin.

That smile had floored him and many others.

But looking at her right now, all he felt was disgust.

“Fuck you, bitch.” He cussed at her.

“And fuck that pedophile you whore around for. Y’all deserve each other.” He added as he walked out and slammed the door.

He was so done with this school.

With Trina and her backstabbing.

With Matthias and his evilness.

He walked past Ms. Cathy, down the school hall and out the gates of Ridgewood.

He swore to himself that he would never return.