I had a jacket on, but it was not enough to block out the cold.

The way Wilhelm bitterly looked away from me, the way his eyes turned blank when they caught mine, it made me shudder. Were we so broken that we couldn't even hold an eye contact?

I exhaled.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket and I moved back from the group to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Stay where you are. I can see you. Let your friends leave."

I froze. Was this some kind of prank?

"I mean it, or else I will inform the headmistress that you have been illegally dealing things in this school."

Oh shit.

"I haven't. Who are you?" I looked around me, "Where are you?"

"If you haven't, why don't you join your friends?"

I saw Sara beckoning me to come along. I clenched my jaws.

"You guys leave, I'll join you later," I called out.

"Smart boy," I heard over the phone as

I watched them leave.

"Come behind the church."

I walked over, my steps cautious. After a few steps, I saw Alexander standing there, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"You?" I exclaimed, "how the hell did you get in here?"

He smirked, "I've got contacts."

I pushed down the urge to punch him in the face, "What do you want?"

"Well, it's pretty simple. See, I know about the dealing among the boys and all I want you to do is get me proof of the money exchange. That will be enough to strengthen my case and get me back here."

I calculated, "But that means..."

"August is going to get kicked out, yes. Be grateful, I had a choice between you and August but I chose him."

I clenched my fists, disgust bubbling in my stomach.

He sighed, "Look, I hate August as much as you do. He has dragged me along like a puppet and insulted me in front of everyone, but with you I have no sour blood. Help me out and you'll be clean, and so will I."

There was a silence.

"It's either you or him," Alexander shrugged.

I swallowed, considering my words carefully, "I will see what I can do."

"Aah, that's good," he nodded, "You have two weeks and then I need my proofs, got it?"

I nodded.

"Good man," he said, shaking my hand.

I watched him as he walked away, his steps confident and powerful. Expulsion had turned Alexander into such a different person, it was actually scary.