The Headmaster's Secret (♡Completed♡)

7

Alex's P.O.V.

I came around the corner of the dorm rooms after hearing Mia's voice,

"Young ladies.", I said sternly. Mia, Ashlyn and Maria all dropped their cigarettes as Mia froze,

"Oh no.", she whispered before bolting to a bush and throwing up. I sighed, walking over and moving her hair back from her face,

"Breathe kid. In, out.", I said softly as she did so, calming down a little.

"W-We're so sorry! It'll never happen again I-I swear!" I nodded,

"I'm sure it won't. Get your ass to the car." She quickly left as I looked to the others, "No point in running, I'll find you. Follow Mia." They did so as I stayed close behind, driving back to the apartment.

"Where are we?", Ashlyn whispered.

"My house.", Mia said just as quiet. I got out as they followed me up to the penthouse and into the living room.

"Sit.", I demanded. They did so as I let out a breath, "Who's idea was it?" They all hesitated, looking at each other. Ashlyn peered at the ground,

"M-Mine sir. And I-I pressured them."

"Is that true?" The others nodded. "Okay. Ash, come with me. You two stay put." She relaxed a little bit at the nickname, following me back to the study as I picked up a belt, "Bend over the desk." She swallowed hard but did as told,

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"Alright, stand up." She did so, quickly wiping her tears,

"I-I'm sorry sir."

"Ashlyn, you can cry."

"I-I don't wanna make you angrier sir."

"I will never get angry about you showing emotion. It's healthy." She nodded a little, still holding back tears,

"W-What's next?"

"Next? That's it. I forgive you." Her green eyes met mine, now huge,

"W-What?"

"You learned."

"I-I expected to-to pass out. Or-Or not be able to walk. That's seriously it?"

"Unless you'd like more?"

"No! No I-I just- are you okay?"

"I'm fine.", I chuckled, "You made a mistake, yes, but you're going to make a lot. Someone needs to be there for you and help you but also care about you." She smiled softly. "Come're kid." I wrapped her in a hug as she melted into the embrace, crying softly,

"Th-Thank you."

"For what?"

"Caring."

~~~~

I smiled softly at the girls piled onto the couch, all mostly asleep. I gently picked up Maria and took her to Mia's room, doing the same with Ashlyn and then taking Mia to mine. I laid in bed next to her as she rolled over into my chest,

"Night."

"Goodnight.", I said softly, petting her hair.

"I love you dad.", she yawned. My heart jumped,

"I-I love you too."

~~~~

The next day was awkward between me and Mia. I didn't understand why.

"Thanks for letting us stay over Mr. James.", Maria said over breakfast. I nodded,

"Anytime. And... as long as you don't tell people, you can call me Alex when you're here." Her and Ashlyn smiled, nodding a little. Before long, I'd taken them back to dorms and Mia and I were alone in awkward silence in the car.

"I'm sorry.", we both said at the same time before laughing a little.

"Why?", she asked me.

"I'm... not sure. I feel like I did something and now it's awkward."

"I'm making it awkward."

"Why are you sorry?" She hesitated,

"For-For what I called you last night. It slipped."

"Mia, if that's what you wanna call me, that's fine. Just not at school."

"I don't wanna make you uncomfortable or something."

"I'm not. At all. I didn't think it would, but it made me really happy."

"You're sure?"

"A hundred percent."

~~~~

"Dad!" This had become my favorite word in less than a week.

"In here!", I called. Mia bolted in, tossing her body onto the couch of the study and her bag onto the floor at her feet,

"You will never believe what happened today.", she said pulling out her homework.

"I'm sure I won't.", I chuckled, putting away my own work.to give her my attention, "Tell me."

"So we're in town after school with some of the guys, and Ashlyn's dad calls her. Hasn't spoken to her in months and starts going off on her about something. She started getting all sad and Landon just took her phone and started talking to her dad and then hung up on him. I'm sure she ended up getting an earful but it was so sweet!"

"Is she okay?"

"I don't know. I think she'll talk about it tomorrow, at least with you."

"I hope so." I paused, "You like Landon, don't you?" She shook her head,

"No. All those guys are like my brothers. I like Michael Landburg."

"Gross. You could do so much better."

"You'd say that about anyone.", she rolled her eyes.

"True but still."

"Mia? Alex?" We both looked at each other before getting up and leaving the study, finding Ashlyn in the hall.

"How did you-"

"Elevator was unlocked I guess.", she shrugged, tossing Mia her phone, "You forgot that in my purse."

"Oh yeah. Thanks." She paused, "How's everything going?" Ashlyn sighed, going to the kitchen as we followed. I liked that Mia's friends were comfortable here.

"He's pissed. Threatened to pull me out of school here but he's already paid tuition for four years."

"Good thing I said no refunds.", I sighed, sitting at the table, "He has to have a real, legitimate reason to pull you out anyways and you making him mad isn't one."

"He called me to go on and on about how I wasn't in a sport. I hate sports. All the girls are stuck up and mean and I hate the sport itself and I'm never dedicated to it. I'm just miserable. Now, he can't force me to do one. He's really mad I'm taking music classes."

"That's his choice Ash. I'm proud of you for going after something you want. You're good at music. You're passionate and dedicated to it. This is when you're supposed to try and find yourself and you're finally doing that. I love it."

"Thanks Alex.", she said softly, "I do too. He can suck it. I'm happy here."

"Me too.", Mia said softly.

"Good. You should be."