You stick to the truth as much as necessary.

"Is there a reason that you are looking for the Dean this early in the morning?" Miss Naylor's tone is so controlled and firm that for a moment you wonder if you had imagined her earlier state of arousal, but you can still see a corner of her book peeking from under the table, and you know you didn't make that up. Deciding that you could hardly afford to get on your boss' bad side you decide to tell her most of your concerns.

"Yes, actually, I wanted to talk to him about the situation caused by Miss Cummins. I feel that this girl needs special attention." She tilts her head slightly to the side in an invitation for you to continue. "The Dean should be up to date in case of any more events like the previous ones." You meet her gaze levelly, refusing to concede any ground on this matter hoping that she does not notice the slight tremble of the cup of coffee in your left hand. Just a few years ago that was a sign you needed a drink, but now it is more a reflection of the anger that you are doing your best to hide.

"I guess I was also looking for someone to talk to." You see the elegant curve of her eyebrows lift a fraction of an inch and you try to explain. "Don't get me wrong, I do not want to cause the girl unnecessary trouble, but I will not let myself be blackmailed by a student." You think about whether you should adress the incident with the mobilephone, after all, the photos are pretty spicy. Maybe that's why you'd better keep it to yourself. Especially after Valerie's attempt to make you look like a criminal.

"The Dean of Students' duties do not include acting as a confidant for our teachers, but I since Miss Cummins has apparently chosen you as her new punching bag, I can understand your motivations. But please remember that your position with us is dependent on the opinion of the parents of these spoiled princesses and the Board of Regents. You cannot afford any mistakes. Be careful in which direction you are conducting the current situation." Her glance is meaningful, her voice carries a threatening undertone.

"None of your male colleagues has attracted such attention in such a short time as you." You feel the heat build under your collar, as once again Miss Naylor seems to be questioning your position in her school.

"And that's exactly why I want to get in touch with the dean," you interrupt her. "Young women like Valerie have to be shown their limits. If I don't do anything now, things might get out of hand and I don't want to be responsible for that."

"Calm down, Mr. Carter." Diana looks at you reproachfully. "I support you completely in this point. Valerie has gone too far several times in the past and will do it again if we don't do anything. Apparently that's why you are here, you and your male colleagues." You can hear the unspoken resentment in her tone, "but that doesn't give you a free pass. You too have to abide by rules. You are the last one who can afford missteps here. Do you understand me?“

Before you can answer, your conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door. Sighing, Miss Naylor puts her cup on the table, gets up, smooths out her clothes, and heads for the door. "Mr. Watts, Mr. Hawkfeather, how can I help you?"

"Miss Naylor, good morning." The voice of your roommate sounds friendly, but serious. When you get up and go to the door, Brian greets you with a nod. "When I returned from my run this morning, I saw these two girls entering our cottage," he points to two pretty young redheads who stand shamefaced between him and Dean Hawkfeather, their heads facing the ground. "By the time I caught up to them, they had entered Mister Carter's bedroom." You can feel the anger resurfacing as Brian relates the events. "I got there just in time, I want to add, because when I caught them, they just unpacked red paint spray cans." Miss Naylor's eyes widen. "So I grabbed the both of them; on my way here, I met Dean Hawkfeather who helped me escort the pair."

"Correct. And I think vandalism directed against one or more teachers already falls into your area." Mr. Hawkfeather jumps in, "that's why we're here now."

Diana shakes her head in disbelief. "Sally and Grace Mathewson, right? What were you thinking? Did you even think anything at all?" Unlike Valerie who, when caught, maintained her arrogant defiance, these sisters are on the brink of tears. "Are you aware of the implications this will have for you? This will have consequences." One of them, her hair a little darker, and body slightly more mature judging by the swell of her breasts, squints at you through downcast eyelashes, her lips curling into a hopeful smile. No doubt this mischievous little elf has charmed her way out of a good number of offenses with her pretty face. You're not the only one who sees this behavior, Miss Naylor also notices. "Miss Mathewson, do you have anything to say about this?" she asks the young student, who flinches. "N-No, Miss Naylor. We are sorry. It was a stupid idea. We just thought ..."

"You can tell me what you thought in my office." Interrupts Miss Naylor. "Mr. Watts, please accompany the girls to my office in the main building and wait for me there. I have something else to take care of first." Brian nods and leaves, the girls are trudging behind with drooping shoulders and lowered heads. "Mr. Hawkfeather, I'd like to speak with you. Mr. Carter, would you excuse us for a moment?"

"Of course." The steely-eyed man brushes past you as you step into the hall, and you sense the strength in his solid build. Miss Naylor closes the door behind you leaving you to fume in the empty hallway. What kind of place is this? Again, someone is after you. You breathe deeply and scratch your chin. Luckily it was Brian who caught the Mathewson sisters and not you. After the events of the last days, you do not know how you would have reacted. Certainly not in a positive manner, that's for sure. You shake your head. It's really time for you to get help, to have someone on your side. It can not go on like this for much longer. You need this job. You don't even want to think about what would happen if you'd lose it.

The door opens again and Diana Naylor and Dean Hawkfeather step out. "Mr. Carter, you wanted to talk to me? Let's go to my office." Kyle gives you a friendly smile and points invitingly towards his office. Diana nods her goodbyes to you and then moves in the opposite direction.