Chapter 10: CHAPTER TEN

POLICE STATION

She walked into the police station. It was a busy place with officers working at their desks and people waiting in line.

Reyna approached the counter and smiled at the officer on duty. "Hey, Officer Patel."

Officer Patel, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, looked up from her screen and smiled. "Hey Reyna, good to see you! How have you been?"

Reyna replied, "I'm good, thanks. Is my dad around?"

The officer nodded. "Actually, I think he's just coming out. Ah, speak of the devil!"

Her father emerged from the doorway, dressed in his crisp police uniform. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in Reyna's presence. "Reyna! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in school!"

Reyna held up a nylon bag. "I brought lunch. Can we have it now? Is it almost time for a break?"

Her father, Officer Josh Parker, smiled. "Come along, let's go."

They sat down in a quiet corner of the police station, and Reyna unwrapped the food. As they ate, Reyna explained what had happened at school.

Her father listened attentively, his expression growing more serious. When Reyna finished, he put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Reyna, school life can be tough sometimes. But what happened to you was wrong, and I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Reyna felt a lump form in her throat, but her father's words of comfort soothed her.

"Just focus on your studies, and be more careful, okay?" he said. "Don't let this incident get you down."

Reyna smiled weakly, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

OAKWOOD ACADEMY

In the school's nurse's office, Britney sat with her foot bandaged, while Bria and Billy looked on with concern. The nurse had just left to get some supplies, leaving the four of them alone.

"So, what are we going to do about that b!tch?" Bria asked, breaking the silence.

Britney's eyes flashed with anger. "We need to teach her a lesson she'll never forget."

Billie nodded in agreement, her eyes cold as her response. "That girl needs to be taken down a peg."

Just then, a mysterious figure appeared in the doorway. "I know how to deal with her," the figure said, their voice low and confident.

The group turned to stare at the newcomer. "What are you doing here?" Britney demanded, her voice dripping with hostility.

The figure smiled enigmatically. "If you permit me, I have a suggestion. I think I can help you teach Reyna a lesson she'll never forget."

Bria raised an eyebrow. "And who are you to think you can help us?"

The figure's smile never wavered. "Let's just say I have experience with dealing with people like Reyna."

Billy snorted. "Experience? What kind of experience?"

The figure's eyes glinted with amusement. "The kind that will ensure Reyna never bothers you again."

Britney's eyes narrowed. "And why should we trust you?"

The figure shrugged. "You don't have to trust me. But if you want to teach Reyna a lesson, I'm your best bet."

Bria crossed her arms. "We're not just going to take your word for it. What's your plan?"

The figure's smile grew wider. "Ah, my plan. It's quite simple, really. But I think you'll find it... effective."

Billie leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Okay, we're listening. What's your plan?"

AFTER SCHOOL

THE FILLERS HOUSE. 4:00PM🕒

Billie got home. Billie stepped out of the car and onto the driveway. The staff who had driven her home rushed to her side, offering to help her. But Billie brushed them off. "I'm fine, I can walk."

The staff reluctantly backed off, watching as Billy made her way to the front door. She pushed it open and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on her mom, sitting at the dining table.

Her mom looked up, a hint of a smile on her face. "You're back home, honey. What's wrong? You look upset."

Billie's expression turned bitter. "Why are you acting like you care today?"

Her mom's expression turned slightly sympathetic, but her tone remained detached. "Of course, I care, Billie. What's going on?"

Billie's mom glanced down at her foot, noticing the bandage. "What happened to your foot?"

Billie shrugged, her voice dripping with venom. "Just a little accident. No big deal."

Her mom raised an eyebrow. "An accident that requires a bandage? Billy, what's going on?"

Billie sneered. "Why the sudden interest, Mom? You're not exactly known for your concern."

Her mom's expression turned cold, but she kept her tone neutral. "Billie, that's not fair."

Billie snorted. "Fair? You want to talk about fair? You've never been fair to me."

Billie took a step back, her eyes blazing with anger. "You know what, Mom? Forget it. You don't care about me, and I don't care about you."

Her mom stood up, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Come on, Billie, don't treat me like this. Where's your father, you know what I'm saying?"

Billie's laughter was cold and bitter. "Oh, where's Dad? Well, let me guess. He's probably busy with his new life, just like you are. You're happy now, right? You would have a new banging mate, and so would he. What am I, Mom? What am I to you?"l

Her mom's face went pale, and she seemed to shrink away from Billy's words. "Billy, don't say that. I tried my best, I really did."

Her voice was venomous. "Oh, Mom, who should I blame this on, then? You're always so quick to shift the blame. It's all your fault, Mom. You and Dad, you're both to blame. You're getting divorced, and now you're both moving on with your lives. Dad's already dating someone, and so are you. He's getting married, and I'm sure you will be too soon enough. What about me, Mom? What about my life?"

Her mom looked taken aback by Billie's outburst, but she tried to compose herself. "Billie, that's not fair. We're doing what's best for everyone."

Billie's laughter was cold and bitter. "Best for everyone? You mean best for you and Dad, don't you? Well, what about me? What about what's best for me?"

With that, Billie turned and stormed upstairs, leaving her mom standing alone in the dining room, tears streaming down her face.