Chapter Five: The Punishment

"Given the violence displayed in those videos, the administration is considering immediate expulsion.”

That got Nathan’s attention. Not visibly, but Vincent noticed the slight tension in his shoulders immediately.

The dean continued, “However, before a final decision is made, your father will need to be called to the school. He needs to be the one talking to Tristan's parents and legal representatives, not us.”

Nathan froze. The arrogance disappeared from his face so fast it almost looked unnatural.

“No.”

The room went quiet.

Dean Whitmore frowned. “Mr. Laurent—”

“No.”

This time the word sounded sharper, almost panicked.

“We require parental involvement before proceeding further.”

Nathan stood abruptly from his chair. “No.”

Prof. Vincent’s eyes narrowed slightly. His eyes had been on Nathan and he saw the instant change. Nathan suddenly looked distressed.

“I’m not calling him,” Nathan said quietly.

“That isn’t negotiable, we can call him ourselves.”

Nathan laughed suddenly, but there was nothing funny about the sound.

“You don’t understand.”

“Nathaniel—”

“No.”

His breathing had changed now, subtly uneven. “Please, you can't get my father involved. Please. You can expel me. If Tristan's parents demand compensation, I'll pay out of pocket. But please, don't get my father involved.”

Prof. Vincent watched carefully as Nathan dragged a hand through his hair roughly.

Vincent realized something important. Nathan wasn’t afraid of expulsion, he was afraid of his father.

The realization settled heavily in Vincent’s chest.

The dean’s expression hardened slightly. “If your father is not contacted, then expulsion proceedings will begin immediately. You've posed a threat to your fellow students, therefore—”

Nathan sighed, like he's kind of relieved. Then he looked away.

And Prof. Vincent made the mistake of feeling sorry for him. Against his better judgment, the man finally spoke.

“Dean Whitmore.”

The older man looked toward him.

The professor exhaled slowly before continuing. “With proper supervision, I believe Nathaniel can remain enrolled without immediate expulsion.”

Nathan looked up sharply.

The room stayed silent.

Prof. Vincent continued calmly. “He should undergo behavioral supervision and mandatory disciplinary evaluations.”

One of the administrators frowned. “Professor Hale—”

“He’s been doing really well in my class, this one fight doesn't suddenly make him a threat to his fellow students. His academic activities can be monitored closely, to make sure he stays busy and focused” Vincent said evenly. “And I’m willing to personally oversee his conduct and progress.”

Nathan stared at him like he’d lost his mind.

The dean leaned back thoughtfully. “You’re suggesting probation.”

“I’m suggesting intervention before self-destruction, it is my duty to offer such help.”

Silence filled the room again.

Finally, Dean Whitmore sighed heavily. “Temporary suspension remains in effect for now.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened.

“But,” the dean continued, “under Professor Hale’s supervision, expulsion proceedings will be postponed pending reevaluation.”

Relief flickered briefly across Nathan’s face before disappearing again.

“As for the legal threats from Tristan’s parents,” the dean added, “the school will handle it and make sure it is settled as well as possible.”

The meeting ended shortly afterward.

Nathan walked out of the office beside Prof. Vincent in complete silence while Kelly immediately stood from the hallway bench.

“Well?” Kelly asked nervously.

Nathan looked exhausted suddenly. “Suspended.”

Kelly winced. Then looked between him and Prof. Vincent carefully.

Professor Hale adjusted the sleeve of his shirt calmly before speaking.

“You’ll report to my office Monday morning at eight.”

Nathan stared at him. A corny glint moved quietly beneath his expression again, as it dawned on him that he'd be spending more time around Mr Hale from now on.

Vincent Hale had just made the worst possible decision of his life.

And neither of them realized it yet.

“So… I have to order a ride?” Kelly asked, as he and Nathan walked out of the building.

“Why would you need to order a ride?” Nathan replied. “I drive you.”

“Yeah, big guy, but you're suspended.”

Nathan turned to him. “And?”

“And you're going home now but I still have a class to attend.”

“Go to your class and text me when you're ready to go home, we'll go together.” Nathan said, ignoring the stares he's getting from everyone.

“You're defying admin. I wish I could be half as bold as you.”

“You don't need to be. Now head to your class, I have somewhere to be.”

“Somewhere to be? On campus?” Kelly threw him a questioning gaze.

Nathan ignored him and turned to opposite direction.

Nathan could feel the stares pinned on him as he headed towards Professor Hale's office, but he didn't care.

As he got to the office, he pushed the door open and walked in. No appointment, no knocking, he walked in like he owns the place.

Vincent didn't even look surprised, it's almost like he knew Nathan would come.

“Shouldn't you be leaving campus?”

Nathan closes the door behind him. “Probably.”

Vincent continues organizing papers. “Then why are you here?”

Nathan drops into the chair opposite the desk without permission. “Why'd you help me?”

“Because expulsion wasn't the appropriate response, you deserve a chance to straighten up your behavior.”

Nathan snorts. “Bullshit.”

Vincent finally looks up. “Language.”

Nathan leans back. “You don't even like me, so why help?”

Vincent replies calmly, “I never said that.”

Nathan blinks. “...What?”

“I said I never said I don't like you.”

Nathan smiles despite himself.

Vincent immediately realizes how that sounded. He pinches the bridge of his nose.

“You are exhausting, Mr Laurent.”

Nathan laughs. His eyes roamed around the office and suddenly noticed how empty Vincent's office is; there's just books, awards, certificates… but not a single personal photograph, no family photos, not even staff group photos like other professors in the school tend to have. Nothing.

Nathan quietly says, “You don't have a lot of friends do you? I'm assuming you're single too. I have a chance then.”

Vincent didn't stop working. “Observation isn't an invitation.”

“Kinda feels like one."

Vincent ignores him.

A silence settles for a bit, before Nathan asks…

“Were you serious?”

Vincent looked up. “About?”

“Helping me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Vincent looked at him, debating whether to ignore him knowing how unserious Nathan can be. Against his better judgement, he says something that completely catches Nathan off guard.

“Because I don't think you're a bad person. Sure, you get into silly fights for attention but you're a smart student. You don't deserve to be expelled over one bad event.”

Nathan freezes for a second. That was the first genuinely kind thing anyone has ever said to him. Not even his own family has ever said anything nice to him.

For a split second, Nathan thought of something reasonable to say… but because Nathan is Nathan… he just laughs.

“Careful, Professor.” He stood up and walked closer to Mr Hale. “People might think you actually like me.”

“Nathaniel.”

“Yeah?”

“Take three steps back.”

Nathan didn't. He knows he's standing way too close, and he likes it.

Vincent stood to his full height too. Now towering above Nathan. They're inches apart.

Nathan says quietly, “ohhh, you are really tall. Like taller up close. I'm 5’10 so you must be somewhere around 6’5”

“Great guess. You're right. Now step back.”

Nathan smirked, liking the attention. “You know… you never answered whether I'm your favorite student.”

“You're certainly the loudest, and the most problematic.”

Nathan grins. “Avoiding the question, I see.”

Vincent just stares at him, without saying anything.

The silence lasts… too long.

Nathan's smile starts fading because suddenly… he isn't joking anymore. Neither of them were.

Vincent finally says softly, “Go home.”

Nathan whispers, “Make me.”

Then Vincent asks again, “Why didn't you stop?"

Nathan frowns. “What?”

“Yesterday.”

“I've already told you.”

“Tell me again. I must have missed something.”

Nathan sighs. “He was calling you names.”

“I work around a bunch of teens. I expect the insults.”

Nathan shakes his head. “No.”

Vincent slowly stands up. “You almost ruined your life over silly words.”

Nathan's jaw tightens. “They weren't just silly words. I don't tolerate such nonsense.”

Vincent studies him. Then says softly, “You're trying very hard to become my most problematic student.”

Nathan grins. “Favorite student.”

A tiny almost-smile flickers across Vincent's face before disappearing.

“Don't do that again.”

“Fight for you?” Nathan shrugs. “Can't promise that.”

Vincent's expression hardens. “That's not a joke. Getting into fights for me won't make you my favorite student.”

Nathan smiles wider. “I already am your favorite.” Nathan takes another step closer. “Now I'm trying to get into your pants.”

For the first time, Vincent genuinely looks caught off guard.

“What?”

Nathan chuckles. “Haven't I made myself clear? I'm bored of everybody chasing me.”

He holds Vincent's gaze.

“I want you, professor.”