Chapter 50: Principal's Warning & a Secret Deal

[JASMINE – POV]

Principal Oduyemi didn't yell. That was the scary part.

He simply folded his hands, leaned back in his chair, and stared at us like we were some type of science experiment gone wrong.

"I don't even know where to begin," he said finally.

Lucas scratched the back of his head. "We weren't doing anything, sir."

Oduyemi raised a brow. "You were in the locker room, Mr. Cole."

I swallowed. "We're sorry. It won't happen again."

He sighed and shook his head slowly. "You two are lucky you're both model students—or I'd be calling your parents."

Lucas and I shared a look of pure panic.

"But," the principal continued, "I have a deal for you."

"A deal?" Lucas echoed.

"You two will serve a week of after-school community service. Together."

My eyes widened. "Doing what?"

"Helping Ms. Adunni with inventory and organizing books in the school library."

Lucas groaned.

"And if I catch either of you in a room alone again where you shouldn't be," Oduyemi added with a warning look, "it won't be books you'll be sorting—it'll be expulsion papers."

We both nodded quickly.

As we walked out of the office, Lucas muttered, "You, me, and dusty old books. Romantic."

I nudged him, laughing despite everything. "Guess we've got a new chapter starting."