by C.E. Wilson
Chapter Five
As Devony and Archer entered the room, all eyes were on them. She could see that her father was upset and, for the life of her, she hoped that the clear liquid in his glass was only water. The headmaster stood close to Orion who smiled as their eyes met.
“A life like yours retold, Orion, would win over the most cynical of us,” the Headmaster said, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for sharing your side of the story.”
“We don’t know if he’s telling the truth,” Darren said. “Let my daughter speak. If she insists that Orion never hurt her, never touched her, then I suppose there’s nothing I can do. Devony, did this boy ever hurt you? Threaten you? You can be honest. Don’t look in his direction if you’re afraid. I will never let him hurt you again.”
Devony’s blue eyes widened. “Dad, he never hurt me.”
“He never threatened you?”
“No.”
“He’s treated you well? With respect?”
“Yes. Orion’s always been respectful.”
“So why didn’t you tell me any of this? Why were you sneaking around with him?” He glared at Orion. “I’m sure you had something to do with this.”
“Dad, I asked Orion to sneak around. I’m so sorry but I didn’t think you would approve of us dating. Orion always wanted to tell you. He didn’t like keeping secrets, so don’t blame him for being quiet. It was me,” she said, lowering her head. “I’m sorry I lied to you and I’m sorry I’ve been sneaking around but it was always my choice, not Orion’s. Don’t blame him.”
Darren narrowed his eyes. “I see,” he said, clearing his throat and looking over at everyone in the room. There was a sense of relief in the air. His daughter was the sneak, not Orion. The young man still got to maintain his good reputation and it frustrated Devony’s father. “It appears that I was wrong in my accusations. I am not a man who will run away from his mistakes but rather seek to make them right. Orion, I apologize. I don’t want my daughter sneaking around anymore, so I approve of the two of you dating. But you,” he said, looking at the Headmaster, “I don’t want my child in his apartment unattended after dark, do you understand? He’s your charge so you will make sure of this.”
“I’ll keep a closer eye on him,” the Headmaster said. “I do apologize that things had to be revealed like this.”
“Yes, well, I’m upset to find out that my daughter’s a liar and a sneak. And you, Orion, you’re no better for agreeing with her. A truly honest man wouldn’t have felt right keeping secrets from a girl’s father. I hope you realize how badly that makes you look when you’re proclaiming that your intentions with my daughter are so honorable.”
“I do, sir,” Orion said, lowering his head also. “Still, I humbly thank you for your approval.”
Darren snorted, setting his water glass down heavily on the nearest flat surface. “I think I’ll leave you to your business,” he said, standing up and giving no sign that he was actually leaving. “I can see that you people have many things to discuss with the basketball tournament coming up. Please return to whatever it was you were discussing before I interrupted.”
“It’s quite alright, Darren. I’m sure we can all understand your concern about such matters when it comes to a child. Now, Orion, do you think you’ll be able to find some students who wouldn’t mind the task I mentioned earlier? You’re also going to have to talk to a few teachers, perhaps target students who are struggling with their grades. Would you be able to do that? I know you’re going to be quite busy, but this is something I must ask of you if this tournament is going to run smoothly.”
“I knew when I ran for president that I wouldn’t spend my senior year sitting around waiting for college acceptance letters,” Orion said. “I just need permission for Devony to help out the next few days. She was so helpful when I was running for president, I think I’m going to need her help again.”
“That’s up to her father,” the Headmaster said to the mayor, who was looking at his daughter with a serious expression.
“As long as it’s during the daylight and at school.”
“Dad—”
“You are not allowed into this boy’s apartment as night, Devony. School projects or not.”
“Please sir, you can have the Headmaster come visit at any time, and it wouldn’t be any later than nine on a school night, eleven on the weekends.”
“You would have her back before midnight?” Darren asked. “Surely that’s too early for a boy like you?”
“Sir,” Orion said, standing up.
“No, Orion,” Devony said. “I’ll take care of this. Dad, please understand that I’m not ashamed for loving him. I know you have a hard time understanding this but I want to help Orion with his role as student body president because I was the one who insisted he run in the first place. We’re a team now. A great team, in fact, and I want to help him when I can. If he needs help getting the tournament set up, then I want to be right there with him. I’ll help him dad, and I’ll be home early.”
“Please, sir,” Orion said, resting a hand on Devony’s shoulder. “You have to understand that this isn’t a lustful relationship. I want Devony by my side because I love her. I love her for her mind, her beauty, her words, and her soul.”
“How profound. Nothing else?” Darren scoffed.
“It’s not about that,” he said honestly.
“It’s always about that for young men your age.”
“That’s not true for me, sir. My parents taught me to wait until marriage.”
“Wait until marriage…for what?” Darren asked before his blue eyes started to bulge out. “Are you talking about sex? With my daughter?!” he sputtered in a strange mix of anger and relief.
“Dad!” Devony blurted out. “Stop, please.”
“No, it’s fine,” Orion said, drawing himself up. “Sir, that’s what I’ve been taught and I hope you’ll believe me when I say it. My parents would be ashamed of me for even thinking about sex until after I’m married. Right now I need to focus on what’s best for the school and my future and I want Devony by my side while I do so. That’s it.”
“I hate to interrupt, but can we please not have a conversation about students and sex in my house?” the Headmaster broke in. “If Darren has no further objections, then I see no reason that I should intervene with this. I want the tournament to go well and if Devony’s playing some sort of muse to Orion, then so be it. As long as they follow an appropriate curfew.”
“We’d have to start talking to teachers and students tomorrow,” Micah spoke up.
“Of course,” Orion said. “I’ll start with the math and science departments.”
“English, too,” Micah said.
“Orion, Micah, I expect you to be in my office tomorrow morning at nine with some news. Bring the proper paperwork and, Archer, please make sure you’re keeping track of the finances.”
“Yes, sir,” Archer said.
“Can I go in early too?” Devony asked her father.
“You can go to school early,” Darren said. “But no car for a week. You’ll have to find a ride.”
“But dad—”
“I don’t mind taking her, sir,” Archer said.
“Are you sure?”
“Archer’s nothing if not trustworthy,” Orion said, smiling at him. “He can drive her to and from school until you feel comfortable enough with either me driving her or letting her drive herself. It will be nice to have her around while we’re getting ready.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan, and a good point on which to end the evening. Now, good night everyone,” the Headmaster said, motioning for his advisor to open the door. “And Darren?”
“Vance?”
“I don’t believe you need to worry so much about Orion. I think you’ll come to see that in good time. I know I have.”
“Good night,” Micah said, following Devony, Archer and Ori
on towards the front door.
“Watch yourself,” Darren warned Orion in a low voice. “Devony lied to me so it’s only a matter of time before she starts lying to you.”
“That is the least of my worries,” Orion said, trying not to laugh. “Archer, I’ll see you the morning. You too, Dev,” he said, leaning down and kissing her cheek. “It’s going to be pretty hectic these next few days so I hope we can pull this all off, especially with the weather about to turn nasty.”
“I’m sure it’ll all work out,” Devony said, walking towards her father’s sedan. “I’m not worried, so long as we can plan this together.”
Orion smiled. “You really are my muse.”
