Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(32)

If she could change her hair color, what else could she do? Her nails? Closing her eyes, she pictured her fingernails and toenails scarlet red. When she opened her eyes, her nails gleamed like a red sports car. She did a small happy dance. Going a step further, she darkened her lips and eyelashes.

Now, the image in the mirror made her smile. After fastening the snowflake bracelet around her wrist, she was ready to go.

No.

Not ready to go.

Damn Zavien. If he hadn’t been such a jerk, she would’ve found a way to beg off. Now her only hope for a nonhellish evening was to find Clint and Ivy. How hard could that be?

On the walk across campus, people stared and pointed. Where were her friends? She kept her eyes open for a guy with a Mohawk. No luck. Her neck muscles tensed, and she could feel a headache starting.

A Blue male and his date moved closer to her on the sidewalk. When they were near enough, the girl said, “Your mother should’ve had an abortion.”

The severity of the insult made Bryn’s breath catch. Her face heated. “Go to hell,” was the only response she could come up with on such short notice.

The couple walked away from her without acknowledging her response. Deep breaths. Insults wouldn’t kill her. She scanned the sidewalk for any incoming psychos. No one else made eye contact. For now, that worked.

Once she reached the correct building, she discovered another fun fact. There was assigned seating for dinner. She’d been placed at a table of Green dragons, so maybe it wouldn’t be too bad.

She walked into the ballroom with her head held high. No one needed to know how rattled she was. She could play calm and cool.

None of the Greens at the table seemed pleased to see her. Big surprise. She gave a tight smile and focused on the cream-colored program on her plate. Dinner fell between several speeches and awards. She scanned across the page to see the name of the keynote speaker. Ferrin Westgate. Freaking fantastic.

“Why are you sitting here?” the boy to her right asked.

Let the fun begin. “I don’t know. Maybe because I’m living in your dorm.”

“You shouldn’t be here.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared.

She glared right back. “I didn’t choose to sit here. It’s assigned seating.”

“I wasn’t talking about the table.”

Great. Another hater. Fire roared in her stomach. Rather than respond and risk setting the tablecloth on fire, she angled her chair away from him and thought of snow. The other Greens at the table murmured among themselves, but none of them were openly rude. Maybe that was the best she could hope for.

The sound system buzzed to life. “Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Mr. Westgate will start the evening with a few opening remarks.”

And her fresh new hell had started. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as Ferrin took the stage and stood behind the podium. Dressed in a black double-breasted suit, he radiated cold composure with a side of evil.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as Speaker for the Directorate, it’s my privilege to welcome you to an exciting new year at the Institute for Excellence. For many of us, it’s the first time our children will be numbered among the students. We’ll witness firsthand the effects of our contributions. Our expectations are high. Their achievements will be higher.” He cocked his head toward a table in the front row. “They better be.”

Everyone laughed.

“The Directorate has watched out for the well-being of all dragons for decades. Some of our policies may be old-fashioned, but they’ve stood the test of time.”

He grasped the sides of the podium. “Students, I implore you. If you come up against a policy you deem unfair, then challenge it in the appropriate manner. Bring a petition to the school board, and it will be shared with the Directorate.

“Late last year, three students petitioned to be allowed into different areas of study. After thorough consideration, two students were denied due to lack of academic achievement. One student was allowed to move on. We are not unreasonable.

“I share this example with you because it’s imperative you realize peaceful objections will be addressed fairly.” His voice took on an ominous tone. “As you know, there have been troubling reports of vandalism to our businesses and homes. I don’t understand what the perpetrators expect to accomplish. Those who seek change through militant action will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. It pains me to inform you one of our students on the cusp of graduation will now face incarceration. He was angry at the Directorate’s denial of his marriage petition, and he chose to express his anger through arson.”

Murmurs of disbelief sounded throughout the room.

“I, too, was shocked when I learned of this catastrophe. I share it with you tonight in the hopes you will channel your feelings of discord appropriately. Believe it or not, every one of us here tonight remembers what it was like to be young.

“We remember how strongly we loved and how passionately we hated. With age, your emotions cool and become manageable. Remember your actions during the next four to six years will influence the rest of your life. Choose wisely.”

The jerk made sense.

“Let’s return to the purpose of our evening. We’re here to thank those among us who contribute time, energy, and funds to the Institute. Without all of your help, the Institute for Excellence would not be the esteemed academy it is today.”