“I suppose you tried to warn me,” I hear myself whisper.

She and Cross both warned me, in different ways, to mind my business. But I didn’t. I did what I thought was right. I don’t know if I got that letter because of filming Keller, or my chat with the cop. Maybe both. I thought my reprehensible actions of last night were limited to what happened with Keller, but as far as the school is concerned, the line was making any of their precious rich students look bad.

I swallow.

I did this. And worse yet, I didn’t, at any point, believe I was doing anything wrong—anything that deserves this. I still don’t.

How even have they heard about it? Keller must have told them. I guess the term snitch is reserved for me, not the likes of him.

“I’ll call Keller. Ask if he can help.”

A dry chuckle works its way up my throat. “Right. The same guy who told them in the first place.”

“I sincerely doubt that, Claire. I mean, you talked to the cops. In all likelihood, they made a report. What happened to Charlotte at the Shark House had minor media attention.”

“Don’t you think it’s about the video I took?”

“No.” She’s strict. “For that, Cross would have made you pay, directly. Or me,” she rewords. “Tattling to his daddy isn’t his style. But the cops—shit. I should have seen this. Stopped you from saying anything at all.”

In what world does a university expel a student for telling the truth to the police? Well, a heavily edited version of the truth, but still. I even made sure no one could be directly reprimanded, insisting I helped myself to their booze.

It occurs to me that defense likely wouldn’t fly with everyone.

God, I am expelled. The reality of it hasn’t hit yet. I had other offers, but none as good as Rothford’s, and the enrollment period is over for any other school. Besides, I can’t afford to pack up and fly—well, anywhere.

All of a sudden, I’m bent in two, crying so hard I can’t even see straight, loud, dreadful sobs coming out of me, uncontrolled.

“Oh, Claire. Please, don’t cry. We’ll…” She hesitates, because what can we do?

It’s done. I’m expelled.

I cry harder.

“I’m going to make Cross help, okay?” She sounds desperate, the words coming out in a rush. “His family’s part of the board. And you can appeal to Keller too. His uncle’s the most powerful man in town. It’ll be okay. In this town, it’s all about who you know, and you already know people. I promise, we’ll make it okay.”

I nod over the tears, trying to speak.