Chapter Fourteen

Monday morning, Ada started her day as usual. She jumped in the shower, brushed her teeth, got dressed, met with Ewan outside her house, and headed toward the school. Ada figured that today would be like any other school day, but when she got there, she wasn’t prepared for the day she had in store for her.

When she got to school with Ewan, he left to go to his locker and his first class. Ada noticed everyone staring at her, the judging glares that were accompanied by frantic whispers and laughter. She became self-conscious, wondering if she had something on her face, but even that wouldn’t call for such a reaction she was experiencing.

She could feel her anxiety escalating as more and more people noticed her and started laughing and whispering. Ada was ready to run away and go home, but what would she do then? She knew she couldn’t run away this time. Instead, she decided she wouldn’t allow this to destroy the rest of the school year. After all, it’s not as bad as being leered at with pity for being a hostage in an armed robbery.

Walking to her locker, through the overcrowded hallway, a few people yelled some taunting words at her. One girl shouted, “Freak!” as she strolled past another who shouted “Slut!” her way. Confused, Ada walked down the hall feeling as though she was a guest to the walk of shame you see in movies at colleges.

Digging through her locker, ignoring the insults every passerby had, Kacey rushes up to her. “Ada, you have to tell me that the gossip isn’t true!” Her normal chipper self was left far behind her as she is filled with concern and cynicism.

“What are you talking about?” Ada asked annoyed.

“Everyone is talking about the date you had with Kevin Friday.” She started in a flutter. “He told everyone that you were a freak.” Her eyes grew big as she spoke quickly, using her fingers as a means to tick off everything that has been said about that night, according to Kevin. “He said that after dinner, he took you to his favorite hook up spot, and after going all the way, you turned into this psycho who wanted to be with him. But when he said no, he wasn’t like that you jumped out of his car, screaming and flailing at the wind as if you were fighting someone.”

Ada’s face contorted, becoming more and more horrified and disgusted as the story continued. “It’s not true.”

She looks at her friend skeptically. “Are you just saying that because I told you to or are you being for real?”

Ada slammed her locker closed in anger. “I’m being honest, Kacey. None of that is remotely true.”

“Well, what happened?” Kacey questioned, relief washing over her.

The girls began their walk to their first class together as Ada recounted the story of her date with Kevin. By the time Ada was finished, Kacey was exasperated and appalled.

“Why didn’t you call me?” She questioned Ada in resentment. “And why didn’t you mention any of this over the weekend when we talked?” Kacey asked in betrayal. She looked as if she had just been slapped in the face.

“I don’t know.” Ada lied, feeling a bit guilty. “I kind of wanted to clear my mind after it happened. By the time we caught up the next morning, I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“I don’t care! A decent guy doesn’t just kick a girl out of their car and drive off!”

“Yeah, well. You even said he wasn’t that bright.” Ada stated, unconcernedly. “Besides, it’s over now. There’s nothing we can do about what happened.”

“I can’t believe you are acting like this isn’t a big deal,” Kacey replied, sizing her up.

Ada just shrugged. “There isn’t anything I can do about it, so why sweat it?” She continued, noticing another group of girls laughing at her. “Besides, I probably looked like a freak.”

Kacey stops Ada in her tracks, staring at her in determination. “You aren’t a freak; you’re just having a hard time, and who wouldn’t after what you had gone through?” She smiles at her friend reassuringly. “I promise that soon everyone will know the truth, Ava. I’ll make sure that everyone knows that everything that idiot said will be known as a lie.”

Ava chuckled, staring at her friend as they continued to make their way down the crowded hallway. “Okay. How do you plan on achieving that?”

“Oh, I have my ways.” She replied with a devious smile.

“Okie dokie,” Ada replied, a bit fearful of what her friend could have in mind. “Look, I appreciate the thought, but to be honest, I doubt that there is anything that you could do to make this any better.” Ada finished as they entered their class.

While in this class, Ada had a pretty good idea of how the rest of her day was going to go.

She took her seat next to Kacey like she did every morning. However, as the other students filed inside, they took one look at her and started to giggle. Others snickered; some gave her stink eyes, while the rest threw insults at her.

“Well…” Ada looked at Kacey. “Today is going to be fun.”

While the class continued to shame Ada, Kacey would constantly hurl back the insults.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Mr. Dormall demanded from the class. “If I hear one more person talking, you will be sent to the principal’s office and have to stay for detention.” He eyed the class. “Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.” The class replied in unison.

“But, sir. How could we possibly pay attention when there is someone very distracting in the room?” One of the students questioned.

“And whom might you be referring to?” He questioned, crossing his arms, clearly becoming annoyed.

“Her.” The girl replied, pointing. “Ada has been very busy over the weekend. And the cow is very distracting to us.”

Ada turned around. “Excuse me?” Ada remarked, glaring at the nameless girl that insulted her.

“Now, ladies. That’s quite enough.” Mr. Dormall cut in, pointing to the obnoxious student. “You, detention.”

She looks at Ada. “You heard me.”

“All right. Listen here you selfish twat, just because your boy toy is spreading rumors about something that would never happen in a million years, doesn’t make me the cow in the room. So shut up you stupid bitch and get a clue.” Ada was so livid that she was shaking. She had stood up, hovering over the girl challenging her. Her temper got the best of her.

“Ms. Mitchell!” Mr. Dormall shouted in shock. “Principal’s office now!”

Ada grabbed her belongings and started toward the door.

“And you also have detention this afternoon.” He replied bored. “Including the rest of the week.”

Once their first period was finished, Kacey rushed to find her friend exiting the principal’s office. “So, what happened?”

“Well, I have detention for the rest of the week and he’s calling my mother.”

“Ada that was awesome!” Kacey replied with awe. “What came over you?”

“I don’t know,” Ada replied, feeling sick.

As they continued to make their way to their lockers, Kacey continued to praise Ada like she did something miraculous even though it didn’t feel that way.

“Do you even know who you talked to like that?”

“Not a clue.”

“That was Tory!” Kacey responded in excitement.

“And I’m supposed to know who that is?” Ada looked at her friend in confusion.

“She is one of the popular cheerleaders. She probably decided to jump on the bandwagon because last year she supposedly slept with Kevin and caught something.”

“Huh… Okay.”

As Ada dug through her locker, Ewan corners her against her locker. His eyes wild, his hands gently gripping her arms as her back was pressed against the lockers. “Is there any truth to what Kevin is saying?” He questions her with infuriation.

Ada rolled her eyes, already aggravated by his interrogation. “Well hello to you too.” She replied sarcastically.

He stares at her impatiently.

“Do you really think they are?” She replied with hurt in her voice.

“Not all of it.” He replied, dismissing some thought that had crept into his mind. “But why did you come to me after your date?” Ewan asks with pained eyes.

“Because…“ Ada hesitated, finding it hard to admit any of this to Ewan. She didn’t want him to know that she was kissing Kevin. “After he started to touch me, I had a panic attack and jumped out of his car.”

Ewan’s eyes burned with jealousy and rage. “Did you sleep with him?”

“Ewan… really?” Is he seriously jealous? Ada thought to herself in surprise. No, he can’t be. I’m just imagining things again.

His eyes focusing on her as he waits for an answer.

“No.” She choked. “Do you really think I’m that kind of person?”

He let out a heavy sigh of relief and his body started to relax.

His delicious warm breath washed over her face, making her melt.

“No, I don’t think you’re that type of person Ada. I just worry because of your whole list thing.” His eyes scanned her like he always did. “What else happened?” He questioned with a curious look on his face.

Ada didn’t say anything at first.

“Ada?”

She let out a sigh, not wanting to go on, but knowing Ewan wouldn’t let it alone. “He then called me a freak and drove off.” Ada continued, trying to stay focused on what Ewan was saying instead of how close he was to her and how badly she wanted to hold on to him.

His eyes grew dark, his body tensed, “He what?” Ewan stated through clenched teeth. He started to turn away from Ada and storm down the hall before she caught his arm.

“Ewan, what are you going to do?” She asked in growing worry and defeat as she knew that there would be no use in talking him down, whatever his plans might’ve been.

He turns, staring at her. His face lightened when he looked at her. His hand began to stroke her cheek, and he kissed her on the forehead, as he replies. “Making this right.” Ewan smiled at her before vanishing into the sea of students.

The encounter with him had left Ada in a state of confusion, uneasiness, and a bit of arousal. But she couldn’t help feeling apprehensive about any situation that could arise between him and Kevin.