The Principal takes control

*Chapter Warning: ****

It started as a fairly normal Friday in late September. The air was starting to cool in the mornings and evenings, though as Samus got into her car to head to work, her body shivered for a moment. Not thinking much on it, Samus got into her car and went to the highschool as she normally did.

From there the day progressed normally until it was time for lunch. Five minutes had passed since the bell had rung, and yet Eren had yet to show up for their usual lunch together. Over the past few weeks they had spent every lunch talking and eating with one another, to the point that it had become routine for Samus. Stranger still, Samus was sure she had seen the Principal when she had walked into the building this morning, and he had looked somewhat upset about something.

After another five minutes had passed and the Principal still hadn't shown up, Samus decided to go ahead and eat lunch by herself, though her worries did not subside. While the two of them had gotten to know each other well these past couple of weeks, talking about their interests and hobbies, past friendships and relationships, that sort of thing, Eren's situation with his wife only grew worse. As the divorce hearing grew closer and closer, Eren's condition worsened more and more. Worse still, he refused to visit the counselor or talk to anyone else about his problems, leaving Samus to be his only shoulder to lean on.

When lunch had finished and it was time to teach her next class, Samus decided she would stop by Eren's office before she left today. He was normally the last person to leave the school anyway, so she knew she wouldn't miss him unless he decided to leave early for some unknown reason.

After the class day was over and Samus had taken time to grade a few assignments, she collected her things and made her way to the front office. Most of the school was empty by this point, and as she walked through the empty hallways, the sounds of her lone footsteps echoing through the halls began to fill her with slight dread. *Click, Clack* The sounds of her heels went, reminding Samus of the times she had spent by herself in abandoned space shuttles long ago. The sensations were all too familiar to her, to the point that she was becoming increasingly worried about the state of the Principal.

When she finally reached the main office, she noticed that while most of the lights were off, a single light still shined through the door to the Principal's office, which was uncharacteristically closed for once. In all the six years she had grown to know Eren, he had always had an "open door" policy, stating that he would always have the time to talk to anyone that needed him. It was one of the few reasons why many viewed him to be such a great principal.

Setting her bag down, Samus approached the door, trying to listen in her anything before she let herself be known. Only hearing the sounds of someone taking sudden quick inhales, like when someone was either laughing or crying, Samus decided to lightly tap on the door with her knuckle. The heavy breathing hitched and stopped for a moment, before calling out to her. "I said I didn't want to be bothered today. And don't worry about me, I'll be heading out soon." Eren replied through the door.

"Eren, it's me, Samus." Samus called out. "Did something happen? You know you can talk to me, but if you want me to leave, I will. I'm just concerned for you is all."

The room was silent for a minute, and right as Samus was starting to think she should go, Eren called out back to her. "Come in, but lock the door behind you." He said.

Samus reached for the handle and turned it, opening the door and letting herself in. Once she was inside Samus turned the small knob to lock the door behind her, before turning around and facing the Principal.

When she turned around she let out a small gasp, shocked at the state of the Principal.

Sitting slouched behind his desk, Eren looked up at Samus with tired, red eyes, an unreadable expression on his face as he looked back at Samus. His clothes and hair were disheveled, and overall he looked like a wreck. It was a whole new appearance for Samus, as she had always seen him look completely professional, even during the days where he was feeling his worse. Now, he looked utterly defeated, like he was about to given up on everything.

"Eren... what the hell happened?" Samus asked, truly concerned for him.

Eren shook his head, staring down at the table. "The divorce hearing happened. I'm now no longer married, but at the cost of so, so much." He put his head into her hands. "It was just supposed to be a simple divorce, but no, that wasn't enough for her. She decided she wanted more. So along with the divorce, she took my home, many of my belongings, and part of my savings as well. She played the victim, making herself look appeasing to the court, and I couldn't defend myself. In the end I lost almost everything, and now have to live in a small apartment until I can earn enough for a home again."

Samus stared at Eren, shocked to her core. How could someone do something like this? She had met space pirates that were more forgiving than that woman! To take almost everything from someone, just because you could... Samus shook slightly in rage at the thought.

However, she had more pressing matters at the moment. She took a few steps toward Eren, and tried to sound as comforting and supportive as possible. "Eren, I'm really sorry you had to go through all this. You of all people shouldn't have had this kind of thing happen to you. If there's anything I can do to help, please, let me know. I'm your friend Eren, and I want to help get you through this."

Eren pulled his head out of his hands and stared up at Samus. Once again, his expression was unreadable, though it definitely seemed different than before. Samus was starting to wonder if her words had any kind of effect on him, until finally he began to speak.

"Thank you Samus. You've been a kind friend this past month. Without your words of encouragement, I'd probably be even worse off now. So, before anything else happens, I would like to thank you."

Samus was about to speak up, but he continued. "Now, I believe there is a way you could help me. I've longed for the touch of a woman for so long, and you are beautiful Samus. I've wanted to be with you ever since the first time I saw you, but my marriage prevented me from doing so. Now that I'm all alone... please Samus, let me make love to you." He said.

Samus stood there in a state of shock, unsure how to respond to the principal. "I... appreciate the thought Eren, but I think your emotions are getting the best of you. Try to take some time to seriously think about this. You did just go through a lot after all." Samus started to back away towards the door. "Now, I think I'm going to go-"

"Don't you dare leave." Eren said, shocking Samus from how serious he had sounded. Turning back to him, Samus noticed that he was now standing and looking at Samus with an expression that worried her. It was completely serious, filled with a kind of determination that unnerved her. "I remember something you told me. That I need to stand up for myself. I'm tired of being the victim Samus, of not being enough. I'm sorry I have to do this to you, but you are going to be given a choice: bend over the desk, or you're fired."

Samus stared at Eren, shocked to her core. The kind, gentle man she had known for so long, and had even befriended over the last month, was now threatening her with her job on the line. Even then, he continued.

"I can make it look like you were being unprofessional, it's as easy as that. Your reputation would be ruined, and you'd never get a job in teaching again. Don't make me have to do this Samus."

Her hands clutched into fists. This was how he was repaying her for everything she had done? And even then, did she really have a choice? If she was fired, then she wouldn't have anywhere else to go. And what would happen with her children? Both were already starting to look at colleges. How would she be able to get them through without her job?

Samus had a choice to make.