Chapter 225

Sammie didn’t hesitate. She turned and told Sean, right in front of everyone, that his temper and obvious bias against students made him totally unfit to be a chaperone. That was it. Sean was out.

Normally, teachers who brought students to winter camp got a pretty decent stipend. Now that Sean was dismissed, he lost that, too. He shuffled away, humiliated, feeling like he’d let down every teacher from Veridian. Forced to leave, Sean was fuming.

Carr got to stay, but he wasn’t off the hook. He was slapped with an official warning that would go on his record and be reported to his school. On top of that, he had to write a three-thousand-word apology, read it in front of all the students the next morning, and apologize to Claire in person.

Carr didn’t argue. Seeing Sean get kicked out had scared him straight. The cocky, know-it-all Carr was gone. Now, he just stood there, shoulders hunched, as quiet as could be.

Outside the office, Sean’s face was stormy.

“Carr,” he called, his voice tight with anger.

Carr shrank back, eyes glued to the ground. “Sean, I’m sorry p>

“You think sorry is enough? Do you even realize what your lies have caused?” Sean’s voice was sharp. “I tried to help you, and now I’m the one getting kicked out by the math committee. Is that what you wanted p>

He thought about the stipend he’d just lost. It wasn’t a small amount, and now he even had to pay his own way back. The thought of flying home was out of the question. He’d have to take the train—and the blow to his pride hurt almost as much as the money.

“Sir, I didn’t mean it, I swear. It’s just, everyone always takes her side Carr started to defend himself.

“Enough,” Sean cut him off, his patience gone. “You gossip more than anyone I know.” His glare was icy. “You’re staying, so you better work hard. If you don’t make the cut this year, don’t count on getting financial aid. There are plenty of students who need help in Veridian, and maybe it’s time someone else got a shot p>

Carr’s heart sank. He stared at Sean, his voice shaking. “But that spot is supposed to be mine p>

Carr had always had good grades. He’d grown up in a single-parent home, and money was always tight Every year, the financial aid was basically guaranteed for him Now, Sean was threatening to take it away, just to get back at him.

“Why should anything be yours by default?” Sean’s smile was cold. “You only qualify because you bring glory to the school. There are students with even less than

you.

Why should you get all the bo

Let’s see if you earn it this time p>

Sean turned and walked away. He didn’t really think Carr could stand out at a camp packed with top

students from all over. Not after making such a bad impression wit! the teachers. He’d probably be eliminated in the first round.

Frustration boiling over, Carr slammed his fist into the wall and let out a guttural yell.

Claire happened to walk out of the office right then, catching the whole scene. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you staring at?” Carr snapped, still seething.

Claire smirked. “Just enjoying the show. You look ridiculous, you know that p>

Carr glared at her, eyes red and wild. “This is all your fault. If it wasn’t for you p>

Claire didn’t budge. “What, are you going to hit me now? You already got an official warning. One more outburst and you’ll be kicked out for real. If you want to walk out of here in shame, go ahead p>

Carr hesitated. He wasn’t about to risk it. Instead, he turned and stormed outside, yelling all the way, his voice echoing down the hall.

It didn’t take long for the other students to hear what happened. Soon enough, they had a new nickname for Carr behind his back. They called him Howler.