Chapter 52 — A Different Kind of Hurt
1126 Words
I closed the door behind me and walked further into the office.
Mum's hard gaze followed me through the laptop until I took my seat opposite Principal Nowell.
“Oh, God.” She murmured, rubbing her palm over her face.
“Do you even see yourself, Rosie?”
I pursed my lips.
“Take a look at yourself, fighter.”
I wiped my nose, smearing the streaks of blood on my skirt.
“You should have seen how she kept on pounding into her, Mrs Richards. It was a deeply disturbing scene,” Principal Nowell said, shaking her head in disappointment.
“Such feral behavior.”
“She started it first—”
“Shut your trap, Rosie!”
I slammed my mouth shut.
“This is getting out of hand, Mrs Richards. Currently, Miss Nelson is in our infirmary and she is in terrible shape.”
Good to hear…
What? She's going to survive, isn't she?
She'll just bear a few bruises, probably wear more make-up than usual… maybe a cast too.
It could probably be more, but who cares?
At least, she'll skip school for a few days… which means—
No flirting with Henry.
I smirked.
“I've notified her parents, but I haven't informed them about the gravity of the situation. Presently, I am not sure what to say to them once they see their daughter looking all mangled like she fought a grizzly.”
Mum began pacing her room, palm against her forehead as if to ease her pain.
“What are you smiling about?”
The smile fell from my face.
“Nothing, ma’am.” I muttered.
Mum stopped pacing and stared at me.
“You're going to tell us what caused this fight, Rosie? And it better be a perfect reason.”
I stared at her, lips pressed tightly.
Mum scoffed.
“Really, Rosie?”
Principal Nowell exhaled heavily.
“She's slowly becoming a delinquent, Mrs Richards. Bad grades and now fighting? Oh good Lord.”
All of a sudden, I was now the bad person because I won the fight.
Okay, so maybe I went overboard…
Was I supposed to let her beat me instead?
Why was Lyra now painted the victim?
“I'll have to suspend her, Mrs Richards. And that's because of you.”
“But she hit me first, Principal Nowell—”
“Rosie!” Mum thundered.
I gritted my teeth, fingers balling into fists on my lap.
“If it was someone else, an expulsion would be indefinite,” Principal Nowell continued.
“I'll have to deal with the Nelson's and, yes, Lyra will face a suspension too, but that's after we find out what caused this fight of yours.”
“I will call Henry once you get home, and we're going to have a long talk,” Mum said, sighing tiredly.
“This isn't like you, Rosie.”
Guilt began eating at me, slowly.
“Go to the infirmary and have yourself checked, don't bother returning to school until I sort this out with the Nelson's.”
“Yes, Principal Nowell.” I murmured, and got up from the seat.
“I know it's hard, but you really need to keep an eye on your daughter, Mrs Richards.”
I opened the door and stepped out, then I shut it behind me.
I leaned on the door with my eyes closed.
“You should come stay at my place.”
I screeched, snapping my eyes open.
Lena stared at me worriedly.
I exhaled, pushing off the door.
“My mum wants to have a long talk with me,” I grumbled, walking towards the exit.
“Shouldn't you go to the infirmary?” Lena asked, following after me.
I snorted.
“I'm fine.”
She moved closer, glancing at me from the corner of her eye.
“What happened, Rosie?”
Now that I think about it, it just sounded stupid.
“It's stupid, Lena—”
“Tell me.”
I scoffed, pushing the school door open before stepping out.
“She was flirting with Henry.”
Lena paused for a brief moment.
“Jesus Christ, Rosie. That is really stupid.”
“I know…” I whined, turning to face her.
“But she hit me first though.”
“And what did you do to make her hit you first?” Lena asked with a knowing smile.
I shrugged.
“Henry rejected her advances… not full on rejecting her though—he did it in a really humiliating manner.” I snorted.
She snickered softly.
“Damn…”
“And then I decided to mock her and… you know the rest.”
“You just suddenly ran, and I got so confused—”
“Miss Duncan.”
I scowled.
Henry walked up to us, staring at Lena.
“Your driver is waiting, you best be on your way.”
“I was wondering if Rosie could come stay with me—”
“From here on, Rosie's grounded.”
My head whipped towards him so fast.
“Grounded?”
“You heard me.”
“Principal Nowell has already suspended me—”
“That's your punishment from the school, Miss Alphonse. This…” he drawled, turning his gaze to me.
“Is from your mother and I believe you're aware that she wants to have a long talk with you.”
My scowl deepened.
“Miss Duncan.” He called again, voice tight. “Your driver.”
Lena glanced at me, then back to Henry warily.
“I'll see you soon, Rosie.” She waved at me before walking to her car.
“Let's go.” Henry grunted, walking to his car.
I followed close behind him, getting into the passenger side.
He got into the driver's side and started the car.
We didn't speak throughout the journey.
Henry's grip stayed firm on the steering wheel—brows pinched tightly in either anger or concentration…
I wasn't sure.
Soon enough, we reached home.
Henry stepped out first, and I followed after him, suddenly feeling shy.
He's most likely thinking I am another disappointment and a fool.
“I—”
“Go to the living room and wait for me,” Henry said, heading for the kitchen.
I stared at his retreating form with sadness.
Then I slowly trudged to the living room.
I plopped on a seat, half expecting to face a scolding.
Instead—
My attention drifted to the sound of metal on metal.
I stared at Henry as he walked towards me holding a first aid kit.
A small smile tugged at my lips, and my heart fluttered.
Why?
Because, even with everything going on between us—he still worried about me.
- Writer
