Chapter 27

I had calmed.

Hurt. Pained. Distraught.

Those were the things that I was feeling, knowing fully well that returning home would be dire for me.

I glanced at my phone’s screen, I had several missed calls and texts. I didn't bother to look deep into it rather than know the names, I tossed my phone on the grass, hugging my knees with my face buried in between.

No one was in the field and so I had it to myself.

“Oh, Claude...”

I heard Lacey’s voice from behind, I lifted my head. It wasn't just her, Johnson, Mason, and Tiffany came around and sat on the grass too. I

smiled amidst my tears, how shameful it seemed but I felt loved. And this time, bit even Davis seeped into my thoughts.

“Have you been crying honey, please don't!” Tiffany said. The girls hugged me real tight and I reciprocated.

“You all shouldn't be here!” I began

“And that's why we came, you're our friend. Forget about what they said about you earlier, you're perfect to us!” Mason said and I let out a smile.

“Yeah sweetie, they're offended by your determination. You're really beautiful inside and outside...”

“I've always admired you regardless,” Tiffany sweetly stated and snuggled my nose playfully.

“I was only trying to be a normal kid, I want to be like all of you, very normal and-”
 “Claudia, don't force nothing on you. And who said you couldn't or wouldn't...” Lacey said and they agreed.

“We love you, Claudia, look at us, we're here for you, and look, Tiffany and I are friends for your sake so would you let this go without being in order?”
 “It's hard but I'll do my best!” I assured.

Mason drew closer and whispered in my ear.

“You have two boys killing themselves over you, follow your heart anyway!”

He pulled away with a smile and I smiled back. I understood what he meant, I was lost for a minute.

“We'll talk about it soon!” He added leaving everyone thirsty to know more.

“Okay guys, I think we should let them have some time to themselves.” Mason blurted out and turned to Lacey.

“Babe let's go!”

“I think he’s right, I should go! I'll see you at home honey!” Tiffany rose to leave except for Johnson. They patted me lightly as they walked away instantly. 
 
 Johnson sat next to me and asked

“How do you feel?”

“Great. You all came through, so it's awesome! Thanks!” I said to him keeping it simple.

“I'll deal with Davis, believe me.” He started seriously with his blue eyes piercing into mine.

Johnson is very attractive, he has a model body and perfect features but I can't help but see him as a friend.

“Do you think that it was his fault?”

“I must not!” He blurted nonchalantly “He was the reason she acted that way. I'm not justifying what she did but he could have stopped it, he could have done something about it. There are better ways to do something,”

“Why would he do something when he doesn't like me?” I asked but it wasn't for him to answer.

“He's just being Davis,” I added

“And you're not?”

“What do you mean?” I was starting to feel some type of way and then he quickly apologized.

“I didn't mean it that way. All I'm trying to say is that he was jerking up stupidly. Sherry can be put in her place and trust me, Tiffany and Lacey are on it. Mason and I didn't want to meddle in girls’ issues. Do chill out!” He assured and I nodded lightly.

“Come on, I'll drive you home!”

Johnson offered and I couldn't agree less.

What Mason had said to be earlier hangs me over, like if Davis liked it something then why was he differently earlier? If he and Johnson crossed paths because of me then why is he pretending? Was he acting that up too?

I wanna believe that Davis is just difficult to understand.

I've tried but I think that I should ignore him from now henceforth, at least I don't have to spend hours doing anything with him. 
 I feel like he's only trying to take advantage of me.

Johnson bought me lunch before heading home, he insisted even when I declined, he was nice and sweet as always. I had to tell about Mom and Dad and how furious they were.

He told me not to worry and that they would not do much.

“Be strong sweetheart, it's not like you hurt someone. I think it's way better. One has been there,”

“Really?” I asked. We were seated in his car, parked in front of my house. He drives a red sports car just like Mason but Mason’s car is blue.

“Yes, I'll tell you about it next time. It's a lot of stories in one.” He teased and I weakly laughed

“Don’t worry Claude, I'll protect you.” He said and this time his thumb caressed my face swiftly and I beamed. Of course, I'm still trying to adapt to touches that are not Davis’s. “Are you busy this weekend, Luke after every activity?”

“I guess not! Sunday evening!”

“That's far but I'll cope! 5 pm?”

“Of course!”

“Okay, we'll always keep in touch before then!” He leaned and kissed my cheek.

“I could get into trouble Johnny,” I reminded playfully but I meant it.

“Don’t worry, it's tints remember?!” He smiled and I nodded affirmatively, he was right.

“Thanks for lunch, I have to go now!”

I gave him a light hug and exited gus car while he stared.

That's beautifully creepy.

****

I sat on the sofa with my parents standing over me, disappointed and paranoid. Mom took a sip from the bottle of water in her hand while I watched. Dad folded his hands staring at me. I know that look, the look of disappointment.

“Why did you, Claudia, why did you disobey us this way? We had our trust in you,” Mom began

“I'm sorry Mom, Dad, I should not have conformed in such a style...”

“But you did, Claudia, knowing fully well that you have sinned!” Mom raised her voice and turned away afterward, she held her forehead.

“It's not just about what you, it's about what we stand and portray as a godly people. You willingly broke the rules, you wore the forbidden, and you mingled with negative people! What else have you done that is so wrong?” Dad asked and I remained silent. I didn't like the way he was calling them names, whoever it was, it was not right. 
 “They are people like us-”

“People who make you sin daily-” Mom said

“No Mom, not all of them are bad. I have good friends-” I defensively stated

“Enough!” Dad shut me up instantly, still angry. “You are supposed to make a difference, little one, and not join in. You have disappointed The Father and us your parents...”“What if I am not meant to be like you?” I asked raising my voice, I just couldn't keep shut.

“The day you were born into this family was the very moment you became us! We are not bad people, we are good. So whatever ties you have with them should CUT OFF!” Dad instructed

“I'm not even doing-”

“Enough Claudia, enough! Have some respect for us youngster-”

“No Mom, I want to live a normal life. I want to be normal like every other kid in Gramsville. I can hang out with them and still be good!” I said and ran off. 
 For the first in my existence, I didn't let my parents finish.

I know that they have some points but what is wrong with being normal?

I have never broken their rule, I have obeyed the rules set but once, they make it seem like I have killed someone when I can barely hurt a fly.

I just want to live my life, a very healthy and normal one. I curled up in my bed, crying as much as I could to ease the pain.

This day has done a lot of damage, I'm yet to face another by morning.

I woke up feeling sore and also suffering from a migraine. I took a peep at the clock, it was thirty minutes past 8 p.m.

I rubbed my eyes and lifted my body looking around, I had missed dinner and nightly devotion.

*Dear Father, I am so sorry for hurting my parents but I need to understand that I want to be a normal kid. I don’t want to be laughed at. Please forgive me!*

I can't remember the last time I had prayed, ever since Davis entered my life, it has been skip, skip, and skip. I admit. I grabbed my phone and tapped it. My friends texted it I was doing okay, I very much appreciate their kindness.

*Nevertheless, they would not kill the sweetest thing on earth.*

Johnson sent me and I smiled. And there was another way to text from an anonymous number.

*How does it feel?!*

Those were the only words, I have no idea who that was or why I’d be sent such kind of text. It’s not nice.

“Oh my, can everyone leave me alone? Like, certain people who are always against me?” I spoke out loud but not too loud.

I laid back like a log in the forest.

****

I had gotten dressed for school, nothing better than the usual polka dress and boots, I stared at my reflection while I stretched my hair. It hadn’t been easy yesterday but I want to fix the tinniest feud between my parents and me, I still love them anyway.

I rubbed some castor oil on my hair, Mom loves to stand out naturally so she gave me one of her recipes, I let my hair fall across and clipped the right side.

At least I didn’t look that horrible, I was just at my best.

I tucked my cell and books into my backpack as I took one last deep breath and proceeded out of the room, I closed the door behind me.

I sighted my parents and sister preparing to have breakfast, they were discussing.

“Morning Mom, Morning Dad. Morning Chloe-“ I greeted approaching the dining table, my legs seemed not to function that well.

“Is that all you have to say after disrespecting us yesterday?”

“Darling-“ Dad tried to cut her off but she interrupted him instead.

“I’m not wrong either,” She added. I heaved a deep sigh, my fingers interlaced right beneath my waistline. 
 “I’m very sorry about yesterday, please forgive me!” I said almost in a careless whisper.

“Did you pray to The Father?” Mom asked

“I did!” I snapped calmly

“And when you rose!”

“I did, Mom!” I said again.

“Good!” She snapped giving me a stern look and then I squinted swiftly.

She beckoned at me to join breakfast, I mean, it is one of the reasons why I apologized though. I can’t bear to lay a moment without eating, I did that yesterday simply because I was mad but it won’t extend to this day.

As soon as I was done, I kissed them goodbye and walked to the door.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Dad asked

“Sc-School!”

“I know and with whom?” He asked as my lips parted to speak and then he spoke up. “Chloe will drive you and no objections!”
 “Yes, Dad.”
 I answered walking to the sofa and dropping on it while Chloe tried to pack up her things.

While on the drive;

Staring at the tight-lipped neighborhood before we hit the highway, I felt more and more constrained than ever. At this point, who was winning and who was losing, was the only question that kept ringing in my head, which also brought me to another question, who sent that text and why?

It couldn’t be Davis, he doesn’t and wouldn’t have my contact, yes, I was that irritable and damned to him.

I rested my forearm beside the window with my fingers digging in and out of my hair.

“What are you thinking about? You know you did mess up yesterday right?”

“For goodness sake Chloe, don’t start with it. I’ve had more than I can handle, trust me.” I explained to her and she only pursed her lips and continued.

“It happens Claudia, but I’m your only sister and so who would you talk to if it’s not me? You can trust me!”

I turned to her immediately.

“Wow, trust you? The last I trusted you, you freaking gave me up.”

“Language kiddo, language.”

“Okay, but I didn’t even use the F word,”

“Are you planning to?” She scoffed. “I’ll let you be but don’t hide everything from me, I’m all you have. Look,” She sighed and continued. “Mom and Dad want the best for you, you only need to trust them-“

“Even if they make everyone seem bad?” I asked her and she remained silent just as I expected. “Right! That’s exactly where the problem lies, I thought that we were supposed to be good to anyone but everyone. There are good people in my school, I mean if they weren’t then I would be traumatized by now!”

“God forbids bad things!” She pouted

“Oh please!” I rolled my eyes. “Do you even understand what I mean?!”

“Why not? Just be yourself, Claudia, there’s no magic to it. And by the way, who was that kid from yesterday? He brought you home so don’t lie!”
 “I knew you’d ask that! He’s just a friend,”

“Like Raphael?”

“Yeah, like Raphael. Wait, do you like Raphael?” I asked and she scoffed and focused on the road instead. That’s unusual. “That means you do like him. Wow, Chloe, he’s a very nice guy, he’s good for you!”

“No, he’s not. Mom would bury me alive-“

“Maybe you should stop putting them first!”

“Oh my, look who’s giving me adult advice” She teased and we laughed it off.

“I’m almost 18.”

“Almost, is not assertive!” She reminded.

We pulled over at the parking lot and she watched me go into the building before heading off.

Lacey sighted me and called out my name as we hugged, we walked to our lockers. Of course, I had girls mocking me for ‘pretending’ as they call me but being strong was all I knew, Lacey made it feel like I was the prettiest person in the world.

I met with Tiffany and HER girl, the girl was giving me the same old looks, I guess some people never really change from certain attitudes and certain insecurities. 
 While talking about the upcoming game that almost every student anticipated, Ms. Winslet approached wearing that same warm familiar smile that I recognized. 
 “Come with me Ms. Collins, it’s going to be brief!”

I left my friends, they were questioning me with their eyes but not even I knew what was up.

Along the way, she beckoned at him as he lazily walked up to us, and then we proceeded to her office. You would swear that we were total strangers as though it hadn’t been once steamy between us.

How easy for him to act as if nothing happened, more reasons why I needed to run for my dear life once it was about Davis.

Still wondering why she had called us, she started talking.

“I guess you both know why I’ve called you both,” She took off her glasses and gently placed them on the large book.

“Mr. Watkins, I don’t like the report that I got from your tutor, it shouldn’t end that way. Why would you do that?”

“Why would I do what? The hell!” He became pissed just as I expected.

“Your tone, Mr. Watkins!” She warned and he looked away. “You know, you are one intelligent kid who has failed to focus on basic subjects, making it unnecessarily difficult. I must say that I am disappointed in you,”

“It’s all my fault now?” He asked

Who’s fault would it be if it’s not yours? I muttered inside, maintaining my silence.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, she seduces me, Ms. Winslet, believe it or not! She wanted us to have sex so badly, now did she also tell you that?”

“What?”

My eyes widened likewise her, why would Davis say such a thing?