“Willow, why don't you go ahead home? Thank you for staying with her but I’m sure you parents are worried by now,” my aunt suggested. I’d forgotten Willow was here. She nodded and smiled nervously at me. I smiled back but didn't have anything to say, at least not with present party involved.
Mrs. Gilmore led the way to her office as we followed silently behind. You can do this. We reached her office and went inside. I took a moment to look around. Her office was homey although a bit messy with papers and files strewn everywhere. My hands were itching to straighten up her office or point her in the direction of the nearest office supply store for a better filing system.
We each sat down and just looked at one another, not sure how to proceed. My aunt was the first to speak after a few moments of tense silence. “Principal Lawrence said she talked while she was becoming conscious?”
“Right! Yes, people sometimes do as they regain consciousness, but in this case it was the nature of what was said.” It took everything in me not to scream for her to spit it out when she fell silent again. “You said…” The more her cheeks colored the more dread built in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed deeply and waited. “Well you said,” she continued, “Master can’t come back.”
Silence.
Complete and utter silence filled the room once more and only I could hear the deafening roar of mortification and feel the room spin. It had grown so quiet you could hear a pin drop…down the hall. This can’t be happening. I must have repeated that a million times in my head and few times out loud.
But it happened. I knew it did. My body was wound tight, so tight I thought it might break. Not if my mind did first, I admitted. My aunt’s gaze was locked on the counselor. I knew it wasn’t what she was expecting the counselor to say. Neither did I. Mrs. Gilmore clapped a hand over her mouth as if she couldn't believe she said it either. Join the club.
“Are you…are you sure that’s what she said?” my aunt asked.
“Ms. Anderson I understand your doubt as the situation is a tad disturbing,” she responded. Yeah, no kidding. “But Coach Lyons was quite sure that was what he heard her say.”
Coach Lyons was the male team’s basketball coach and one of the school’s gym teachers. He was also a fan of my tormentor who also happened to be the team captain until he left last year. I’ve never had any issues with the man, but he never cared about anything except making sure his star player stayed happy.
“I have to ask…is there any trouble in the home?” My aunt’s back straightened at the counselor’s question and implication. I guess she didn't know that my aunt had a temper when riled, which wasn't often but when provoked, even I ducked for cover.
“Excuse me? Are you implying that I would actually hurt my niece? Are you insane?” she yelled. “Let’s go Lake, my right hand is twitching.” She stood up to go and Mrs. Gilmore quickly tried to recover the situation.
“Ms. Anderson, please. It is only a routine question we have to ask. This doesn't have any personal bearing on your ability as a guardian. Please, sit down,” she pleaded.
Aunt Carissa still looked as if she might jump the poor counselor so I decided to speak up. “Mrs. Gilmore, my aunt is the best parent I could have asked for. There isn’t anything she wouldn't do for me. I am completely safe with her.” My aunt’s expression softened from my reassurance.
Situation saved.
“I didn’t think so,” the counselor replied. She gave Aunt Carissa an apologetic smile and we turned to go, but her next question stopped me in my tracks. “One more thing…”
I turned back around to face her again. “Yes?”
“Does this have anything to do with Keiran Masters returning next year?”
Chapter Two
“I swear I didn't say anything,” she told me for the hundredth time. I wasn’t home long before Willow arrived at my house for details. I wasn’t eager to relive the humiliation but my inquisitive friend wouldn't let me die alone. Dramatic much?