Glass Hearts [BL]
Chapter 57: Fifteen Minutes to the End

Chapter 57: Fifteen Minutes to the End

I burst through the school gates, half out of breath, sweat sticking my shirt to my back.

I wiped my face on my sleeve, scanning the courtyard, and nearly collided with June, who was scrolling on her phone, coming from the opposite direction.

"Hey! Heyyy.... whoa, Ash, what’s wrong? You look like you just ran all the way here. Are you out of cash again?"

I laughed weakly, pulling back. "Oh no. No. Technically...I took a cab. I’m just...nervous about something."

June squinted at me, suspicious. "What’s that? You know you can always tell me."

I shifted my backpack higher on my shoulders, glancing away.

Truth was, I hadn’t told her or Marcus about the hearing. I didn’t want them to start worrying. Not when they had their own stuff to deal with. And my own nerves were already chewing me alive.

So I blurted out the first thing that popped into my head.

"I’m nervous because I was trying to figure out if you’re wearing makeup or if you just woke up looking like a goddess today."

June’s mouth fell open. Then she smacked my arm. "Really, oh my god."

"Hey, it’s a serious question," I said, putting on a solemn face. "Because if that’s your no-makeup face, I’m suing my genes for fraud."

She snorted, brought out a pocket mirror to check her face. "Technically I got this new lipstick, the seller said it matches my skin tone."

We started walking toward class together.

June kept glancing at her phone, chewing on her lower lip. "Ugh. Ren texted me ’what’s good?’ this morning. What does that even mean? Like...what do I even say to that?Should I say ’not your hairline’ or would that be too savage?"

I burst out laughing. "Depends. Do you want him to think you’re cool... or insane?"

"I can’t choose both?"

"Always an option."

"I’m trying to be mysterious. Ugh."

We were still giggling when Marcus came bounding over, practically waving a comic book in the air.

"It’s the first edition of The Void Knight Chronicles! I’ve been searching for this everywhere. And this little used store on Jefferson had it in the dollar bin. The dollar bin, June!"

June gave him an epic side-eye. "Oh my god, Marcus. You and your weird comic books. Do you even know how to talk to actual human girls?"

"I talk to you, don’t I?" Marcus shot back, sticking out his tongue.

June rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. "Please. Anyway.... I’m pissed. I have to work this weekend. I was hoping to hang out with you guys. Maybe see a movie. Even if it’s just eating ramen and yelling at Marcus about his tragic fashion sense."

"I’d like that," I murmured, trying to smile. But I couldn’t stop my eyes darting toward the clock over the classroom door.

9:45.

June slumped into her seat beside me. Marcus plopped down in front of us, still babbling about his comic.

Then, she noticed.

"Hey." She reached out, touching my arm. "You sure you’re okay?"

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

Then forced a grin. "Totally fine. Just... you know. Friday."

Marcus plopped down on the bench, flipping through his comic. "Bro, you look like you’re about to puke. Want me to beat somebody up for you?"

But I couldn’t hear a word.

All I could think was:

Fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes until the hearing.

Immediately the bell rang, my stomach flipped.

Our teacher, Mr. Chen, stepped into the classroom carrying an armful of folders and a half-finished thermos of coffee.

I shoved my books into my bag, zipping it too hard.

"Where are you going?" June asked, squinting at me.

I didn’t look at her. "Bathroom."

Before she could say another word, I was already halfway down the aisle.

I was barely out the door when the voice crackled over the intercom:

"Ash Rivera, please report to the Administrative Review Chamber immediately. Ash Rivera, to the Administrative Review Chamber."

The words echoed down the hall. It felt like everyone turned to stare at me all at once.

Even the name sounded terrifying.

I paused, my heart was racing. The Administrative Board Conference Suite. A big glassed-in office at the end of the administrative wing.

Students only ever went there if they were in real trouble.

I forced my feet to keep moving.

Another voice shouted behind me.

"Ash! Wait—"

June caught up, grabbing my elbow. "The Administrative Review Chamber? What the hell is going on?"

I swallowed hard. "I’ll tell you later. I promise."

"Ash—"

But I was already pulling away.

The closer I got to the office wing, the quieter the halls became.

My reflection followed me in the trophy cases as I passed... same wrinkled T-shirt, same tired eyes.

I passed the frosted glass door with gold lettering:

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW CHAMBER

Inside, I could see shadowy figures in suits moving around.

A secretary gave me a sympathetic look as I stepped in.

"Ash Rivera?" she said gently. "You can go right in. They’re ready for you."

I nodded, the door was already propped open.

Inside, the polished conference table gleamed under recessed lights. A row of chairs lined one side...Principal Han in the middle, flanked by two board members I recognized only vaguely from assemblies.

There was a pitcher of water on the table, as if they were expecting a long, dry interrogation.

Principal Han looked up as I hovered in the doorway.

"Mr. Rivera," he said calmly. "Please, come in."

My legs felt like jelly.

I stepped inside, my backpack sliding a little off my shoulder.

Principal Han gestured to a single empty chair on the other side of the table. It felt like the chair in a courtroom for a criminal witness.

"Have a seat, Ash."

My throat was too dry to answer. I lowered myself into the chair, trying to keep my hands from shaking as I set my backpack on the floor.

The room smelled faintly like floor polish and coffee.

"Thank you for coming in," He said. "This is a closed administrative hearing. Present are myself, Mr Flynn, and Mrs. Healy from the district board. We’re here to discuss the incident involving Liam Everhart."

My chest squeezed painfully at his name.

"Ash, we’ve read your file. You’re a bright student, but you’ve been...involved in several disruptive situations. Fights. Absences. Police questioning. And now the incident with Liam."

My chest squeezed so tight I could barely breathe. My palms were sweaty against the wooden chair arms.

"I didn’t kill Liam," I blurted. "I was trying to—"

Mrs Healy held up a hand. "We’re not discussing criminal charges. That’s for the authorities. We’re discussing your place at Blackwell."

Principal Han tilted his head. "Why don’t you tell us why you should stay, Ash?"

I swallowed. Then started speaking slowly:

"Good morning. My name is Ash Rivera. And before I say anything else, I want to thank the board for letting me speak today.

I know I messed up. I know what it looked like. And I understand why people are scared.

But I’m not a threat. I’m just a kid trying to keep his family together..."

Halfway through, Mrs Healy raised her hand, palm out.

"Stop."

I froze, the words dying in my throat.

Principal Han frowned. "Ash, this speech... it’s very rehearsed. It sounds...like a statement, not a conversation."

Another board member, chimed in.

"Do you even mean what you’re saying? Or did someone help you write it?"

Heat flared in my cheeks. "I...I wrote it myself."

Mrs Healy shook her head. "It’s too formal. It doesn’t tell us who you are. Or why we should believe you belong at Blackwell."

My mouth opened, but nothing came out. At that moment, I wondered if Dominic was wrong. What if I really wasn’t enough?