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Mr Scott and Mr Gregory exchange a look then Mr Scott scoots out the barstool beside the one he’s sitting on and pats the seat while Mr Gregory leans back against the counter and waits forout a breath, I plant hter up to tonight?" Mr Scott asks, watching me like a hawk

"Um, ent on a bike ride, sir," I answer, but it sounds more like a question than a response

"What did you do when you got hoory that speaks "Because if I didn’t know any better, I’d guess the two of you have been drinking tonight, which would be really, really bad since we set ground rules of no drinking"

"U back and forth between them

Rat out Lyric? Get kicked out? What the hell do I do?

I don’t want to go back into the systeo back

Don’t want to

Ever

Mr Scott leans over and sniffs the air "Is that my scotch I smell on your breath?"

"I’m sorry, sir" My pulse pounds as I rise fro "I’ll go pack ory mumbles, confused The two of them trade a look, and then their expressions soften "Ayden, we’re not going to kick you out, if that’s what you’re getting at"

My gaze skims back and forth between theory says to Mr Scott, "See, this is what happens when they give us responsibilities We fuck things up" Shaking his head, he returns his attention toto kick you out because you broke a rule, but I do need to punish you" He seems puzzled over what to do next, and seeks help fros "I have no fucking idea Ella usually comes up with the punish like this Maybe ground hi I’ve ever witnessed In the past ho yelled at If I were still atBut that still wouldn’t have been the worst part No, that would coory considers the idea "That see, so daood to ht "All right, you’re not allowed to do anything for a week"

I keep my head down as I breathe in relief "Okay, sir"

"And stop calling me sir," he sternly adds "That’s part of your punishment, too From now on, you have to call me Ethan"