CHAPTER NINE
LAURA
RETURNING TO MY room, the feeling of exhaustion amplifies when Ava turns to me as I walk in. “Where were you?”
My hair falls automatically around my face. Her tone and stance can’t be misread for what they are; she’s angry. When someone is angry with me that normally means something bad will happen. With a hand on her hip of her cherry red jeans, she tilts her head waiting for an answer. Now I see Michelle and Maria sitting on Michelle’s bed also waiting for my response.
I count to four as I make my way to my bed. Sitting on the edge, I push my hair back. “Looking for Michelle.” I tell Ava before glancing at Michelle whose eyes are still red and swollen from crying. Now I feel guilty for all the time I spent in the study looking for the cat.
But after Craig had finally gone, it became my sole mission.
“Where?” Ava still stands with a hand on her hip. The white fluffy round turtle-neck sweater hugs her figure, which is perfect. I don’t answer her instead I keep my focus on Michelle.
“How are you?” I ask, and she looks to Ava. So she is like their queen. The way all the girls seem to seek out her approval shows the control she has over them.
“She’s confused.” Ava answers. “I know she told you some lies about Craig… well she got it all wrong. Didn’t you, Michelle.”
Michelle nods weakly before leaning into Maria who wraps her gloved-covered arms around her.
This feels a lot like high school, which I hated. I push back onto my bed and pull my knees up to my chest. My eyes flicker to Ava who stands smiling over us. I don’t want to get involved, I just want to hide here for a while, but knowing the truth and doing nothing makes me as bad as everyone else.
“It’s funny.” I say, getting everyone’s attention, but it’s Ava who I look at. My heart pounds now I can feel sweat recoat my back. “Craig admitted she hadn’t done it.”
Ava’s pretty face takes on a snarl, color filling her cheeks. “You are such a liar.”
“He did.” Michelle speaks up, but it is a whisper.
“Craig wouldn’t speak to you if you were the last person here.” Ava’s chin juts out with each word she speaks, her anger spreads throughout the room making me feel more tired than normal. I’m relieved when she storms from the room.
“Thank you.”
I nod at Michelle’s whispered words but let my hair cover my face as I sink back against the wall.
If Violet was here, she would have turned Ava into a whimpering mess. Violet was never cruel, but she never bowed to anyone and most certainly not a bully. She would be the first to jump into a row even if she ended up with a black eye. I grin now because that actually had happened.
Thomas had been in a fight at school. Violet had been getting on the bus when she spotted them, and before anyone knew what was happening, she was gone. I remember looking at her from the bus window. She had turned, dropped her bag, and ran across the field. I had jumped from the bus and followed her; there she was in between both boys. The boy that Thomas had been fighting didn’t even pause as she entered; his fist had connected with her eye. He hadn’t meant it, but it stopped the fight. Violet had always told me that if I ever see a fight between two boys and especially if it was someone I cared about, just jump in and they would stop. Her theory was wrong that day. But it did stop the fight. My eyes burn now just thinking about her.
“Why am I here?” My head snaps up at Craig’s voice. His brows are furrowed as he looks at Ava. I groan internally.
“She said you admitted to her that Michelle didn’t stab you.” Ava smiles at me, like victory is in her court and it is. I let my hair cover my burning face. I don’t need to see the joy on her face.
“You dragged me here for this?” His question has me holding my breath before I speak.
“I’m trying to help you, Craig. You can’t have them going around spreading lies about you.” I look up at Craig through parted hair, my stomach tightens as his eyes clash with mine.