CHAPTER THIRTEEN: TRUTH AND HUMILIATION

As Jamie stepped out of president wiebe Hills office, he was relieved.

“God, that was close,” Jamie thought to himself when Lucas appeared out of nowhere, his sneer cutting through the air like a blade.

“Hey, Jaime,” Lucas taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Did you finally decide to come clean about all those loans you took out? Or maybe those fancy clothes are from the local thrift shop's designer selection?” His words were sharp, each one aimed to sting.

The surrounding students, who had been watching the drama unfold, now gathered closer, their eyes wide with curiosity and delight at the scene.

Jamie felt a surge of anger. The mocking tune, the accusations were just too much to bear. He took a deep breath, trying to control the boiling rage within him, but Lucas wasn't done.

“You know, Jaime, I always knew you were a fraud. But look at you now, pretending to be someone you're not. All this money, these clothes… it's all a big joke!” Lucas continued, his laughter ringing out, echoing off the walls of the corridor.

Jamie's fists clenched at his sides. He could feel the blood rushing to his head, the familiar burn of humiliation and anger. “Enough, Lucas,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice low and dangerous.

“You don't know anything about me or my life. So, stop. You're making a fool of yourself.”

But Lucas wasn't listening. He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with malice.

“What's the matter, jamey? Can't take a little truth? Or you scared we'll find out you're just another wannabe with a fake story?”

At that moment, Jamie's phone rang. He glanced at the screen to see his mother's name flashing on the caller ID.

“Mom,” he muttered under his breath, trying to steady his voice as he answered the call. “Mom, I'm kind of in the middle of something right now…”

Victoria's voice, though soothing, carried a sense of urgency. “Jamie, listen to me. I had to call you. There's something I would like to tell you. I know keeping your identity hidden can be stressful and a lot and I know you would be pressured but please keep it hidden. It's for your safety. Your father and I just talked about it. Remember, you're not just anyone,”

Jamie's heart sank. What's the use of having so much wealth if it's just to be hidden? The weight of her words hit him like a ton of bricks. He could feel his world spinning, the ground beneath him shifting.

“What do you mean, mom?? Is everything okay? Are you alright?”

Before Victoria could respond, Jamie felt a hand on his shoulder. It was president Hill, his face stern and his eyes full of disapproval.

“Lucas, this ends now,” Mr. Hill said, his voice cutting through the tension. He stepped forward, his presence commanding and authoritative.

“You have no right to speak to Jamie like this. Your behavior is unacceptable. Apologize to him, now.”

Lucas, taken aback by the sudden intervention, hesitated. The crowd around them fell silent, the energy shifting from curiosity to see if Luke would actually do it.

“Come on, Mr. Hill,” Lucas muttered, his bravado fading slightly. “I was joking around. It's not a big deal.”

President Hill's gaze hardened. “This is a big deal, Lucas. You're spreading false accusations and causing unnecessary distress. Apologize to Jamie. Now.”

The room seemed to hold its breath. Lucas, caught between his pride and the stern command of the president, clenched his fists.

“Fine,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned to Jamie, his expression a mixture of defiance and reluctance. “I… I'm sorry, Jamie. I shouldn't have said those things. I was out of line.”

The apology was grudging, but it reduced some of the tension.

Jamie, still thinking about what his mother said, took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within him.

“Apology accepted,” he replied, his voice steady but firm.

President Hill nodded, his expression softening slightly. “This incident is not over, Lucas. We will be discussing this further, and there will be consequences for your actions. Jamie, you don't have to deal with this alone. We're here to support you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out.”

Jamie nodded, grateful for Mr. Hills support. The president then turned to the gathered students, his voice rising above the murmurs.

“Everyone, listen up. This kind of behavior is unacceptable on this campus. We value integrity, respect, and honesty. Any further incidents like this will be dealth with severely. Let's make sure we create safe and supportive environment for everyone.”

As the crowd began to disperse, Jamie felt a sense of relief wash over him.