Calmly

Rose looks at the angry headmistress steadily although you can see a faint tremor in her.

"It's what it looks like. I brought it when I came. Chanel knew nothing about it."

"And this?" Diana holds up a small plastic Ziploc bag with several pills. Rose bites her lip and looks down for a moment before meeting her gaze.

"It's Ecstasy. I brought that too."

"Do you have a **** problem Miss Newton?"

"No I don't. But I like to party sometimes. And I like sex. And I like how sex feels when I'm on X." Her matter of fact statement brings a flush of colour to Diana's throat and you find yourself raising your eyebrows in surprise. Chanel just sits looking thoroughly miserable, seemingly staring at the book you still hold in your hand.

You look down at it, noting the title 'The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft' before putting it back on the shelf, as you watch Diana glaring at Rose who sits calmly, as though awaiting judgement.

"And who are you having sex with here Miss Newton?" Diana asks, glancing at Chanel. Rose shakes her head even as she squeezes her friends shoulder.

"There's a boy at Hamilton. I'm not lesbian if that's what you're thinking. Chanel has nothing to do with this. She brought the vodka coolers, but she doesn't do ****. She didn't know about this."

"And you're telling me you're not having sex with anyone at Pink Rose?"

Rose makes a grimace of disgust. "I'm not going to fuck gardeners and janitors. And until Dean Hawkfeather and the other teachers arrived, they were the only men on campus. And no, I haven't been with any of them."

"What about boys from town?"

"Are you looking for tips, Headmistress? No. Only with the boy from Hamilton. A couple of boys actually."

You seen Diana's face tighten with anger at Rose's scornful defiance. She presses her lips together as she glares at the student, her eyes dark and furious.

"You will go to Dean Hawkfeather's office immediately Miss Newton. You can prepare yourself to take the punishment coming to you. The Dean and I will join you directly. Miss Vallon, you can remain behind for a moment."

Rose rises, her face pale but stoic. She gives Chanel's shoulder a last squeeze before she leaves the room, walking as if she's going to her execution. Diana waits for her to leave and shut the door before turning her gaze on Chanel.

"Well Miss Vallon, have you anything to add?"

"I'm sorry about making a scene. And for bringing **** to school. You can punish me if you want," Chanel says miserably. "I deserve it."

"And the ****?" Diana asks sternly.

"I didn't know about them. I did X once and it kinda scared me. I don't do that."

"What other girls snuck out with you and Rose?"

"What?" Chanel looks up, startled. "Um...no one. It was just us. No one else." You're convinced she's lying but you stay silent, stepping to Rose's side of the room to keep out of the way. Glancing at Rose's bookshelf you notice the same book you found on Chanel's shelf and shrug at the coincidence, then shake your head as you assume it must be an assigned book for a class they take. You turn your attention back to Diana's questioning.

"Where did you go?"

"Down by the lake. We talked about what we did over the summer, and boys and stuff...and drank. And I guess I drank too much. I'm sorry Headmistress."

Diana stares at Chanel silently until the girl drops her eyes and starts to fidget with her fingers.

"Very well. This matter is suspended for now, but may be reopened later. The nurse wants you to rest. I suggest you lay down and recover. Good afternoon Miss Vallon." Diana gives a little nod towards the door and the two of you leave, shutting the door behind you.

"She's lying about something," you say quietly.

"I know. Let's go deal with Miss Newton. I'm looking forward to this," Diana says with a determined toss of her head.