Chapter 7: Betrayal's Price

Shock rendered Emily speechless. Olivia, her closest confidante, the girl she'd shared secrets and dreams with for years, was the one who lunged at Jason with a weapon. The world tilted on its axis.

Olivia's eyes welled up with tears. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this," she choked out, her voice cracking. "They said if I didn't stop you both, they'd…"

Her voice trailed off, fear and desperation etched on her face. Emily's mind raced. Who were "they"? What power did they hold over Olivia, a seemingly innocent student, that could turn her into a traitor?

"Olivia," Emily finally managed to say, her voice trembling, "who are you talking about?"

Olivia hesitated, her gaze darting nervously towards the entrance. "Not here," she whispered, urgency lacing her voice. "We need to get out of here."

Before Emily could respond, a low growl cut through the tense silence. Principal Victoria stood at the observatory entrance, her face a mask of fury. In her hand, she grasped a heavy torch, its flame casting an eerie glow on her steely gaze.

"Trying to escape, are we?" she spat, her voice dripping with icy authority. "That won't be necessary."

Olivia whimpered, cowering behind Emily. Fear threatened to consume her, but a flicker of defiance sparked in Emily's eyes. She wouldn't let Principal Victoria intimidate them.

"We know about Liam," Jason stated, his voice firm despite the danger they faced. "And we won't be silenced."

Principal Victoria's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Brave words, Parker," she said, her voice laced with disdain. "But do you have any proof? Any witnesses besides this...disloyal friend of yours?"

She threw a contemptuous glance at Olivia, who flinched under her gaze. Emily's heart ached for her former friend, caught in a web of manipulation.

"We can expose the truth," Jason insisted, his voice unwavering.

Principal Victoria let out a dry chuckle. "Truth is a relative term here, Mr. Parker. And this academy has a very effective way of managing...unpleasant truths."

Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed them both. "You have two options," she declared, her voice leaving no room for argument. "Silence, or expulsion. Choose wisely."

A heavy silence descended upon the observatory. The ultimatum hung in the air, a suffocating weight on their chests. Exposing the truth would bring down the entire Flake Academy system, but it could also lead to their own destruction. Remaining silent meant living a lie, perpetuating the cycle of manipulation that had silenced Liam.

Emily glanced at Jason, searching for an answer in his eyes. They both knew the risks, but they also knew the consequence of inaction. This wasn't just about Liam anymore; it was about standing up for what was right, even in the face of overwhelming power.

"We choose truth," Emily declared, her voice firm, echoing through the desolate observatory.

Jason nodded in agreement, his gaze reflecting her newfound resolve. Principal Victoria's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. But it was quickly replaced by a cold, menacing glint.

"So be it," she hissed, her voice dropping to a low growl. "Then you will learn the true meaning of regret."

With that, she raised the torch, its flame illuminating a hidden mechanism on the observatory wall. A metallic grate hissed open, revealing a dark, gaping hole plunging into the earth.

"A change of scenery," Principal Victoria said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Consider it a…learning experience."

Terror surged through Emily as the weight of their decision hit her. There was no turning back. They had chosen truth, and now they faced the unknown consequences.