CHAPTER Sixty One Can You Keep Your Distance?

　　Elena's POV.

　　It's Derek.

　　The principal's hand dropped the stamp, and a look of surprise crossed his face.

　　"Oh, Mr. Derek, I didn't know you were coming over," he said, rising from his seat with a forced smile.

　　Derek shook hands with the principal, his gaze flicking towards me for a brief moment. I gave him a tight smile, hoping for some sign of support, but his expression remained stern, unreadable.

　　My heart sank, knowing he couldn't show his true feelings in front of the others, but a part of me had wished he would.

　　"I can't wait for him to publicly claim me as his," I thought, "but for now, I have to face this problem head-on."

　　Derek sat down, his presence commanding attention.

　　"What's the offense?" Derek asked, his voice firm but calm.

　　I swallowed hard, feeling a surge of embarrassment. It was humiliating to have them narrate the details of my expulsion.