THE SUBJECT OF ELITIS HIGH

Ava’s POV

“Aunt, I didn’t mean to. It just happened,” I managed to say. “He said he loved me. I thought it was real…”

She yelled angrily, almost hurling me to the ground. “Is that why you go around fighting at school?”

My eyes widened. She wasn’t aware?

“Haven’t I warned you never to fight?” she asked, her voice loud and demanding. “You know Elitis High is a school for the rich—why, then, does a poor orphan like you go around fighting rich kids? Are you alright?”

A wave of calm washed over me, and I let out a shaky breath.

She continued, “I got an email from Mrs. Forrest demanding my attention at your school tomorrow, saying it’s urgent. This is the second time, Ava!” Her voice vibrated with anger. She stood up but didn’t stop talking as she left my room. I sat on the edge of my bed, catching my breath, letting the relief soak into me like cotton absorbing water.

My phone rang. I rushed to pick it up, trying not to draw Aunt Margaret’s attention again.

“Bryan,” I muttered after answering.

“Ava, I’m waiting for you. Where are you?”

“I’m coming! I’ll be with you shortly,” I replied and hung up. I snatched my handbag and dashed out.

At the hospital, Bryan waited at the reception while I went in to see Dr. Dane.

“Hi, Doc,” I said as I shut the door behind me. He smiled, his face bright and relaxed, as if expecting me.

“Hi, Ava. How have you been?”

“I’m fine,” I replied almost immediately.

“So, what were you saying over the phone?” he asked, eager.

I shot a sharp glance at him before replying. “I want an abortion. How much will it cost?” I went straight to the point.

“One thing I want you to know today is that you can always count on me. I’ll never judge you, Ava.”

I listened, my heart melting a little.

“I know what you’re going through—from the so-called father of your baby, pressure from friends, colleagues, family, and loved ones. I understand all that, Ava. But believe me, these are not enough reasons to end an innocent life.”

My conscience began tormenting me again.

“But I don’t even know the baby’s father!” I snapped, gently hitting the table in front of me. My eyes burned with the pain of rejection as I stared into his. “I’ve made my decision, Doc,” I said, trying to calm the anger rising within me.

He let out a shallow breath. “In that case, the process will cost eight hundred dollars. But I want to help you, so I’ll only charge six hundred, and I’ll also take care of your aftercare,” he said, his eyes full of affection—for an innocent girl like me.

“Thank you, Dr. Dane. Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

I got up and walked to the reception where Bryan was. I sat beside him, my face hiding unsaid exhaustion and fear. He glanced at me briefly, trying to read me, but I kept my gaze fixed on the floor.

“What did he say?” Bryan’s voice was low, cautious.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “Six hundred. He… he said he’ll handle the aftercare.”

Bryan’s shoulders dropped, relief flickering across his face, but I felt no comfort. My mind drifted elsewhere—imagining the cold room, the sterile instruments, and the emptiness that would follow.

I pressed my palms against my knees to steady my trembling fingers. “Do you have the money?” I whispered.

He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Yeah. I’ll handle it. But I’ll have to work and save some more. I only have three hundred dollars right now.”

My sadness deepened. “I thought you had it all.”

“It’s fine, Ava. I’ll gather the rest quickly. I can’t let you go through this alone,” he said, taking my hands in his. “I’m with you.”

I placed my head on his shoulder as he brushed my black hair aside. My mind was unsettled, haunted by countless frightening thoughts.

Tessa’s POV

The news had spread all over Elitis High that a girl from my class was pregnant—and rumors said Chris was responsible. I walked up to him, noting he had returned to school after being absent yesterday.

“So this is it, huh?” I asked, my voice laced with disgust.

“You got Ava pregnant?” he glanced at me.

“You think I could do that? For your information, I’m not responsible for her pregnancy. Is that what she told you? That I was responsible?”

“She doesn’t have to tell us. We know she used to be your girlfriend, and that explains everything,” I replied angrily.

Sophie walked past, stopping when she saw us. “He’s trying to woo another girl and get her pregnant too,” she said, trying to provoke him. Chris frowned, attempting to suppress the rising anger, but Sophie had already left.

He wanted to chase her, but I grabbed his hands. “Don’t you dare! I know you too well, Chris. You’re doing all this just to get back at me!”

“Oh! Is that what you think? Look, Tessa, I’ve forgotten about you since the day I caught you in the arms of that random guy,” he said. “You think I care about you? I don’t anymore.”

My brow arched. I stared at him, feeling the same pain I had once inflicted on his heart. I didn’t realize how painful it was—seeing your boyfriend with someone unworthy of him. A desperate girl! It hurt deeply.

As Chris turned to leave, Alex rushed in, panting. “They’ve caught you red-handed, man. Mrs. Forrest wants to see you in her office!”

His thoughts froze.

Will he be expelled from Elitis High?

Will he be flagged as irresponsible?

Is this the end of Chris at Elitis High?