Page 28 of Savage Elites

Her words hit me like a fist to the gut and knocked the air out of my lungs. She was an even bigger sociopath than Bianca Byrd. “How am I supposed to maintain high grades with people assaulting and bullying me?”

“You were fine last term following the incident with those girls.”

“What?” My hands bunched into fists.

I was about to launch into a tirade when Miss Claymore stepped forward. “While the incidents are regrettable, I am doing my best to combat the victimization of scholars. Mrs. Benazir wants to know what we can do to help restore your averages.”

The bulk of my anger escaped my lungs in a long stream of air. Even though I suspected Miss Claymore covered up for her boss, it was reassuring to know that at least one member of the faculty cared about the students.

Turning to the deputy head, I said, “When people don’t get punished, they feel they can escalate the bullying without consequences. And worse, it encourages copycat attacks in the younger students.”

“Let me look into this matter,” Mrs. Benazir said in a tone that implied she would do nothing of the sort. “In the meantime, your grades are still an issue.”

My eyes narrowed. “Give me a month to recover from my physical injuries. Please.”

“Two weeks.” Mrs. Benazir steepled her fingers. “And after that, we will reconsider your bursary.”

I stood and held my fists at my side to keep from smacking her miserable face. “Is that all?”

“You may go.”

Anger powered my steps as I stormed out of the room. What a callous old bitch! How dare she berate me on my grades and not provide a safe learning environment?

“Miss Evergreen?”

I turned around to find Miss Claymore three feet away. I let out a weary breath, hoping I hadn’t come across as too rude. “Yes, Miss?”

“Please, come to my office.” Miss Claymore took the nearest stairwell to the next floor up.

Shoulders slumping, I trudged after her. Was she going to berate me for my attitude toward Mrs. Benazir? As I entered her room, the scent of leather filled my nostrils from the tomes on her bookshelves, and I glanced at the ridiculously luxurious chaise lounge.

The deputy head walked around her desk and tapped on her computer. “Your English and Economics grades are dragging down your averages. Are you having problems absorbing the material?”

I rubbed the back of my head. “If it’s math-related, I can follow along with the calculations during prep because it’s easier to focus on equations and short paragraphs. But my mind wanders at large expanses of text.”

“Which explains why you’re excelling in all but those two subjects.”

I nodded. This is what I liked best about Miss Claymore. She at least investigated matters instead of making dismissive statements like the headmistress.

“I would like you to reconsider your obligations.” She leaned forward in her seat and fixed me with those dark eyes. “Your sister is currently running an average of seventy percent, which puts pressure on you to exceed ninety-five.”

“Right.”

“Relinquishing your responsibility for her will drop your grade requirement down to ninety, which only requires an improvement of five percentage points.”

“I’ll do it,” I said.

She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“If Ashley can’t maintain her grades, I won’t obligate myself to compensate for her.”

Miss Claymore gave me a soft nod. “A wise choice.”

Her words removed a layer of tension that had plagued me since I had agreed to maintain a higher average to enable Ashely’s entrance into the academy.

If she couldn’t make an effort to maintain her grades and stabbed me in the back at every opportunity, I no longer wanted to take on the effort of keeping her around.

“By the way, can I leave the swimming team?” I asked.