Glass Hearts [BL]

That's the guy who pushed Liam.

I hated that sentence more than anything. Hated how it now followed me like a shadow.

When I reached the office door, I didn't even knock. I just stood there for a second, staring at the silver plaque: Mr. Han–Head Principal.

Then I pushed it open.

The room was cold. Every book on the shelf was alphabetized. Not a paper out of place.. The air smelled like cologne and expensive wood polish.

He sat behind the desk, crisp suit, perfect tie.

Mr. Han.

Also known as Ian's father.

Of course.

He didn't look up at first. Just kept reading whatever file was in front of him. The room was silent…too silent.

"Mr Rivera," he said. "Sit."

His voice was calm, as he pointed to the leather chair in front of him.

I sat.

The chair creaked beneath me as I sat across from Mr. Han's desk.

That finally made him look up.

"Do you have any family we can contact? Someone who can represent you in the upcoming board hearing?"

I shook my head once. "No Sir. Just my mom. And she's still in the hospital."

That earned a pause. A flicker of thought crossed his face. Then just as quickly, it was gone.

"I see," he said.

He shut the folder, folded his hands, and leaned forward.

"I'll get straight to the point," he said. "Your scholarship is in jeopardy."

I stared at him. "What?!"

"You've been a bright student since the day we chose you to attend Blackwell. You came in with one of the top scholarships. Perfect grades. You were focused. Disciplined. You stood out."

He paused. "Freshman year… you were on track to graduate at the top of your class. All A's. No marks on your record."

I nodded slowly, unsure if I should say anything.

"But now?" he continued. "You're slipping. And I don't mean academically."

He tapped the folder.

"I heard you got into a fight this morning. Locker hallway. Detention. Not even your first warning this semester."

I swallowed. "It didn't—"

He raised a hand. "I don't care who started it. That's not the point."

His voice dropped lower.

"You've seen the news. The rumors. The posts. You've heard the whispers. Ash Rivera, the kid who pushed Liam Everhart off the roof. His parents are furious. Whether it's true or not... it's out there. And it's getting ugly."

He stood slowly, walking over to the blinds and pulling them slightly open to reveal the school courtyard.

"You know how this works, Ash. Blackwell isn't just a school. It's a brand. A promise to the elite. Our investors don't just donate…they protect their image."

He turned to me.

"And right now, you're a threat to that image."

"This…this isn't fair," I said, my throat immediately felt dry. "None of it's been proven. There's evidence."

"There's an image of you in handcuffs, Mr. Rivera. Blood on your clothes. And right now, people are more interested in perception than truth."

"I've received several calls. From board members. From funders. They want you gone. They're furious. They've seen your name in headlines. The arrest. The rumors. The story that you pushed Liam off that rooftop. They're asking questions. They're threatening to pull their funding unless something is done. They say the school's reputation is at risk.."

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I couldn't defend myself. Not when the entire world had already made up its mind.

"I've been told strongly…that unless this is handled, we may have no choice but to expel you."

I swallowed hard.

Expulsion?

"So that's it?" I asked, trying to stay steady.

"Because of the rumors?"

"You have a chance to prove yourself," he said. "Three days to prepare an appeal. We'll be holding a hearing in front of the school board. You'll be allowed to speak. To defend yourself. Bring evidence, a witness, a statement…whatever you can."

He slid a thin white envelope across the desk. "Your formal notification."

I stared at it.

"What happens if I lose?"

"You'll be removed from Blackwell permanently. No transcript. No scholarship. Your record will reflect disciplinary action."

I couldn't breathe for a second.

Blackwell wasn't just my school. It was everything. My future. My mom's hope. The thing I'd worked for since I was twelve and promised her I'd get us out.

Now it was slipping away.

"I know your mom's in the hospital," he said. "I'm sorry about that. I know what it's like to juggle pressure. But Ash…" He leaned against the desk again. "You need to put your head back in the game. Fast. Whatever's pulling you off course? Cut it off. Focus."

He straightened his tie.

"This is your warning. I won't give you another."

I nodded slowly, standing up.

"I understand sir."

"Good," he said. "I suggest you start preparing now. Dismissed."

As I turned to the door, he called out.

"Oh, and Ash?"

I paused.

"For what it's worth… I hope you didn't do it."

I didn't say anything.

Because hope didn't change anything.

I stepped into the hallway.

Everything around me felt like it was crumbling.

And still…I had to walk out like I wasn't breaking.

Three days.

Just three days to prove I didn't belong on the front page of a crime story.

Three days to keep my future alive.