I head back to Principal Long’s office, pausing outside the slightly open door and knocking on the wood. She bids me to enter and I push it in, stepping into the dimly lit room where she sits behind her desk with an older woman with gray-blonde hair in front of her.
“Juliet, this is Mrs. Chambers.”
My brows pinch together and I nod to the other woman. When I don’t take a seat, waiting for Mrs. Chambers to get up and leave the room, but she doesn’t, realization takes hold. Principal Long didn’t have another appointment before me—this woman ishereforme. My eyes find the woman with more interest the second time.
She’s pretty, though her make up is a bit cakey. Sitting down, it’s hard to determine how tall she is, but she holds herself well—back straight and legs crossed at the ankles. Next to the worn chair she’s perched in is an older Kate Spade bag. It’s a nice brand. Simple. Luxury. I’d guess it’s secondhand if asked since her clothes aren’t nearly as expensive.
“Please, have a seat,” Principal Long says in a tone that suggests her words are more of an order than a request.
Taking a hesitant step farther into the room, I lower myself to the second worn chair alongside Mrs. Chambers. To say I’m uncomfortable would be an understatement, but I refuse to let it show.
“Mrs. Chambers is here as legal representation,” Principal Long starts, and ice immediately washes down my spine.
“What?” Legal representation? For who? Megan?
“It’s my understanding that you are emancipated, is that correct?” Mrs. Chambers asks.
“I don’t need to be.” The words are out of my mouth before she can finish the question. “I’m eighteen and I’m legally capable of taking care of myself.”
She tuts. “Oh, but that’s not always true. You’re still young,” she says. “You have your whole life ahead of you and you shouldn’t have to worry about all of the things that adults need to—paying bills and taxes and whatnot.”
“I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth.
Mrs. Chambers chuckles. “Oh, we both know that’s not true, dear.”
I swivel my gaze to Long, who looks as pinched and irritated as I feel. Her lips are drawn down in a frown and when she catches my gaze, she sighs. “Mrs. Chambers was asked to come here to check in on your well-being by Mr. Calloway,” she admits. “After yesterday’s debacle?—”
“You mean when the poor girl was attacked,” Mrs. Chambers snaps. “Mr. Calloway was highly concerned. He believes, and I have to agree with him, that this school is not equipped to handle such situations. Miss Donovan is somewhat of a celebrity at this point due to the effects of her father’s trial, and Mr. Calloway wants to ensure her protection.”
“Mrs. Chambers.” Principal Long’s smile is all teeth and savage annoyance. “We prioritize the safety of all our students regardless of their circumstances outside of the classroom. I can assure you that we are taking Juliet’s situation into consideration and?—”
“If that were true, then you wouldn’t have allowed those girls to lock her in that bathroom,” Mrs. Chambers interrupts with a scoff. “You’re lucky Mr. Calloway is so partial to this town, otherwise I would’ve convinced him to sue this entire school district.”
“I don’t want to sue anyone and I’m the person who’s—” I start to say, but Mrs. Chambers isn’t done.
“In fact, Mr. Calloway thinks it might be best if Miss Donovan is switched to online school. It’s clear that any attempt at finishing out her senior year at…” The woman turns her eyearound the tiny shoebox of an office with obvious disdain. “A public institution will only set her back.”
“You can’t make that decision for me,” I snap. “Neither can he—he’s not my guardian.”
“I think we need to discuss the reason for your visit, Mrs. Chambers,” Principal Long cuts in, and at the perfect moment too because the longer I stare at this uptight bitch with her poorly done makeup and her secondhand bag, the more I want to punch her. I clench my hands into fists and keep them pinned to my thighs.
“Yes, well, the date for Mr. Calloway’s plea to become Miss Donovan’s guardian has been set for two months out.”
“Two months!” I explode out of my chair, whirling to face the woman. “He has no proof that I need a guardian!” I thought it took months to get in front of a judge, but two months? I sway on my feet, panic overwhelming me.
Mrs. Chambers tuts again and the sound makes me grind my molars. “I disagree,” she says. “I’d say what happened yesterday has made it clear that you need him more than ever, dear.”
I take a step towards her and Principal Long stands from her desk. “All right, well, I appreciate you stopping by to inform us of the situation,” she says, her gaze darting to me even as she leans down and picks up a folder from her desk. “I will fill out the information you requested.”
“See that you do, Ms. Long,” Mrs. Chambers says with a sniff. She bends and retrieves her bag from the floor. “Mr. Calloway has donated more than enough to this entire town for you to understand that this is quite important to him.”
Mrs. Chambers slips by me and out the door, keeping her fucking nose right up in the air like all the cunts from my old school would have. It’s almost like they have to in order to feel like they’re better than everyone else. The truth is—we’re all thesame. Rich. Poor. Pretty. Ugly. We all bleed red and we all die in the end.
I close my eyes.Fuck me. This can’t be happening. Two months? My chest squeezes tight.
“Juliet…” Principal Long’s quiet voice draws me out of my internal freak show and I open my eyes, turning to meet her sympathetic gaze.
“Everyone thinks he’s so fucking perfect.” The words croak out of my throat before I can stop them. She blinks as if surprised by them. I shake my head. “He’s not…”
