Chapter 4 - The Expulsion Threat
Caleb stared at the ringing phone, realizing Harrison was looking right at the diner window.
The teacher raised his coffee cup in a mocking toast toward the bushes where they were hiding.
"Run!" Caleb yelled, grabbing the camcorder and sprinting toward their parked car.
They drove away in a panic, knowing their cover was entirely blown.
The next morning, the school felt like a hostile prison as Caleb walked through the front doors.
The intercom crackled to life, demanding that Caleb report to the principal's office immediately.
Caleb walked into the sterile room to find Principal Davis and Mr. Harrison waiting for him.
"We found some very disturbing items in your locker this morning, Caleb," Principal Davis stated coldly.
Harrison tossed a stack of stolen final exams onto the polished mahogany desk.
"You are being formally accused of academic fraud, theft, and distributing cheating materials," Harrison lied smoothly.
Caleb clenched his fists, knowing Harrison had planted the exams to destroy his credibility.
"You cannot do this, I have evidence of your extortion rings," Caleb fired back defiantly.
Principal Davis laughed, an ugly, dismissive sound that confirmed he was part of the scheme.
"Nobody is going to believe a disgraced student who just lost his Ivy League admission," the principal mocked.
Before Caleb could defend himself, the office door burst open.
Malik stormed into the room, looking braver than he ever had in his entire life.
"Caleb did not steal those exams, I did," Malik lied, taking the blame to save his best friend.
Caleb tried to stop him, but Malik spoke over him with absolute determination.
Mr. Harrison smiled a wicked, triumphant smile, clearly enjoying the tragic display of loyalty.
"Well, that makes this much easier," Principal Davis said, opening his desk drawer.
He pulled out a pre-signed expulsion form with Malik's name already printed on it.
"You are expelled, Malik, and the police are waiting outside to escort you off the property," the principal announced.
Caleb watched in horror as two armed officers walked into the room to arrest his best friend.
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As they handcuffed Malik, one of the officers leaned in and whispered directly into Caleb's ear.
"If you ever show that video to anyone, your parents will be arrested next."
