Interrogation

I never ended up in the principal's office back at our old school... Okay, that's a lie, there was that one time with the guitar, but who's counting that? Besides my parents anyway. The point is, I tended to sweet talk my way out of situations before they escalated to that level. It's not like I never got in trouble, but I usually managed to keep it to minor infractions... I've definitely committed much worse crimes since I've been here.

Trish's office is a modest enough room, a few trophies in a cabinet nearby, a fancy-looking mahogany desk, fraying at the edges, guess she inherited from her predecessor. The view looks out onto the courtyard, must be handy for keeping an eye on things. Tick, tick, tick, tick, the wooden clock on the wall seems to taunt me as we remain silent, no words on the way here, no words since we sat down. It's not like I can defend myself until she explains why I'm here... I mean, I can guess. I slept with her daughter... And Niece. That being said, if she doesn't know that then blurting out an explanation would just give her ammunition.

I've gotta make a decision. Trish is clearly waiting for me to crack, do I play into it or stand my ground? School will start sooner or later, she doesn't have the advantage of time... But then she's the head, and my guardian, she can keep me here all year if she really wants to. Trish's face gives nothing away, no emotion, no anger, no disappointment, nothing. She's clearly a pro when it comes to getting into students heads.

Fuck, what would Marie do in this situation? Wait... Marie's not in this situation, it's just me. Trish isn't so old-fashioned as to blame only me for us having sex, it takes two to tango and if Marie's not here then it can't be about that. In that case it can't be about Rosie either, so it must be something unrelated... Wait, what if she knows about the incident with Poppy in the bathroom? If she doesn't know we sorted it out then she would think I'd tried to force myself on her or something. It makes sense, she wouldn't bring Poppy in to face her would-be attacker, and it explains why she brought me in before I could go into the kitchen with the others.

In that case, staying silent makes me look guilty, I've got to take the offensive. I've got to be confident, any hesitance would make it look like I've cracked. Come on Rufus, time for that Monroe charm.

"This is pleasant. Really nice to-" I begin.

"You know we have cameras on the perimeter, right?" Trish cuts me off. Perimeter? The old science block is on the outskirts but it'd still be on the school grounds, and it's not like they'd have cameras in an old bathroom. "It's a legal requirement to protect our students. Two dozen covering all of the exits. That way we can keep an eye out for lurkers, delinquents... Truants." She emphasizes the last word.

Truants? I'm so confused, how is that related to...

Wait. Truancy. The gate. She saw me leaving after the incident yesterday. Fuck, I'd completely forgotten about it, of course she'd notice that. Still, better known as a runaway than a sister fucker, this I can talk my way out of.

"I can explain." I start, checking to see if Trish will cut me off again. "There was... A bit of a problem in Music yesterday, a big argument. Poppy got upset so I went to look after her, but... It also set off my anxiety, I acted on instinct, I just ran... I'm so sorry, I should've spoken to you, my head was just such a mess."

The key to lying is to not do it. Everything I said is true, even if it's missing some key details. I don't like using my illness as an excuse, but in this case, it technically is the reason I fled... Even if the reason it triggered was more to do with making out with Poppy.

"Scarlet mentioned you suffered with it, so I'm aware, but leaving school grounds without permission is a serious offence, even if it wasn't entirely your fault." Trish states authoritatively. It definitely seems like she knew this is how the conversation was going to go, this definitely isn't her first rodeo.

I nod in response to her statement. "I understand, I'll accept any punishment, I should've come to you, or to a teacher, that's on me." I offer humbly. Always better to request them to punish you, makes them realise you're aware of the severity of the situation, ironically this means they'll give a lighter sentence.

Trish folds her arms and leans back in her chair, puckering her lips to the side in thought. "Fine. A week of detentions, seems fair considering the circumstances." She decides. Easy as that. Only a fool walks into a disciplinary situation and gets defensive, better to flow with the conversation and take it on the chin. So what if I spend a few breaks inside? Doesn't matter to me anyway, there's plenty more to enjoy after. I don't like to describe myself as a genius, but this is- "And what punishment should I give you for fucking my daughter?"

Hang on, what?

Wait.

What?

But... It was... I wasn't... This...

Trish's face has morphed from the calm and collected head teacher to a furious mother. How could she have known? It's impossible. And why did she start with the truancy? Was it... A ruse? She tricked me. Lulled me into a false sense of security, then launched an ambush... And it's working, I have no idea what to say. I can feel the blood rush from my face, leaving only the cold touch of fear.

"I'm not an idiot, I know what goes on under my own roof. Here's a tip, girls only take a shower after coming out of a guy's room in one scenario." She points out. Okay, fair point, we weren't exactly secret, but that's a stretch, maybe I can convince her it's a misunderstanding? "So, I decide to check in on your conversation history. It's a breach of ethics, but so is banging your sister, so it balances out." She concludes, unable to hide the anger in her voice.

Well. Fuck.

I'm dead to rights, she got me. That conversation was far from flattering for anyone involved, but then I didn't realise Trish had access to Marie's data... Then again I don't think she does either.

"Trish... I-" I stammer.

"Oh, and who can forget, you've got big plans, Poppy, me, my wife. Your mothers will be here soon enough, I'm sure they'll get a turn right? Because that's what family is, right? A checklist for your libido?" Trish growls at me. I don't know what to say... I know that's how it sounded, but all I meant was that I was attracted to them, and I wouldn't be against exploring that... But I guess without context it'd be pretty dehumanising. "I don't know what to do with you... I really don't. I don't know who to tell or what to say... You've astounded me." Trish sighs, covering her face with her hands.

The guilt is overwhelming, it's like gravity has tripled on my shoulders, pushing me down to my knees... Maybe I should've stuck to my first thought... Shot Rosie down, been a real big brother, protected Poppy, respected Marie... Instead I'm just a pervert that took advantage of them...

'I should've done that aged ago.'

'Thank you for kissing me.'

'I love you, Big Brother.'

The girls' words circle around in my mind, faster and faster, more and more real. The weight seems to lift and the clouds in my mind dissipate. No. I refuse. The way we all felt, that wasn't some perversion... Well, not just some perversion anyway. We were all happy... We care about each other. Who's to say that's wrong? How can they? How dare they?

"You're wrong." I answer decisively. Trish's eyes widen at my response, seemingly shocked that I would dare defend my actions. "Yeah, okay, I get it, it's gross for other people, I don't care. Everything we did was consensual, and more than that... It makes us happy. So what if it's unusual, why does that make it wrong? I care about Marie, and Rosie, and Poppy... And you for that matter!" I argue, standing from my chair in front of Trish's desk, my fist clenched in determination.

"If you want to punish me, fine, I can't stop you. That being said, I won't apologise, and I won't feel bad for what we've done. If that makes me a pervert, so be it. I'd rather you look down on me than even consider hurting them. So take your best shot, hit me with everything you've got, because I'll never be ashamed of them." I conclude.

Trish looks truly shaken. To be honest, I am too. This is the first time I've truly justified myself, and not through logic or lust, but because of what the last few days have meant to me.

"Get... Get out. I need to... I need to think." Trish mutters, not meeting my gaze. Her voice sounds shaky, but there's something there... Something like... Recognition.

I nod and head towards the door, closing it behind me after I exit. I immediately reach for my phone, before remembering it's not secure.

I'll need to find the girls as soon as I can.