The Wind Changed Our Direction by Kale Orion 14

Chapter 14 

Chapter 14 

Ava’s stare burned into me as I walked down the hallway. Her eyes were sharp and focused, completely different from her usual sweet expression. 

‘Did I get caught?‘ 

I tried to walk normally, but my legs felt slightly shaky. 

“Avery.” 

Her voice made me stop. I turned around slowly. 

“Was it you?” 

“Was what me?” I said defensively. 

“The essay. The one Ms. Rachna found.” 

I kept my face blank. “No. I already told her it wasn’t me.” 

“But she kept you after class.” Her brows raised. 

“So?” 

Ava stepped closer. “She doesn’t keep people after class unless something’s wrong.” 

“Nothing’s wrong.” 

“Then why did she want to talk to you?” 

I started walking toward my locker. “Just teacher stuff.” 

Ava followed me. “What kind of teacher stuff?” 

“Can you stop interrogating me?” 

“I’m not interrogating. I’m asking.” 

I opened my locker and pretended to look for something. “She wanted to know why I was being quiet in class.” 

“Why were you being quiet?” 

I pulled out my math book and closed the locker door. “I don’t know. Just didn’t feel like talking.” 

Ava reached out and grabbed my hand. Her grip was firm. 

“Avery, look at me.” 

34 

18:42 Thu, Jan 1 

Chapter 14 

: 

I turned to face her. Her eyes were searching my face like she was trying to read my thoughts. 

“Why were you really being quiet in class?” 

༢(34) 

I could feel other students walking past us in the hallway. The normal buzz of voices and locker doors slamming. 

“I was being quiet so you could feel like the smartest person in the room.” I said, giving the perfect answer she’d be glad to hear. 

Ava’s expression changed. The suspicion melted away and was replaced by something softer just like I anticipated. 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean I didn’t want to show off. I wanted you to shine instead.” 

Her grip on my hand loosened. 

“You were trying to make me look good?” 

“Yeah. Like Mom and Dad said. I should support you instead of trying to outshine you.” 

A smile spread across Ava’s face. “That’s really sweet of you, Avie.” 

“I just want us to be a good team.” 

“We are a good team.” She let go of my hand completely. “I’m sorry I was suspicious. I just thought it was weird that Ms. Rachna kept you after class.” 

“It’s fine. She was just checking on me.” 

“And you’re sure you didn’t write that story?” 

“I’m positive. I wouldn’t write about family stuff like that.” ‘Please believe me‘ I mumbled under my breath 

Ava nodded. “Good. Because that story sounded really depressing. Like whoever wrote it has serious problems at home.” 

“Yeah. It’s sad.” I said, agreeing with her. 

“I feel bad for them, whoever they are.” 

The bell rang for next period. 

“I have to get to math,” I said. 

“Me too. See you at lunch?” 

“Of course.” 

10:43 Thu Jan 1 

Chapter 14 

Ava walked away toward her classroom, her usual bounce back in her step. The suspicious look was completely gone. 

I waited until she disappeared around the corner, then headed in the opposite direction. But instead of going to math class, I slipped into the nearest bathroom. 

I locked myself in a stall and sat down on the toilet seat, finally allowing myself to breathe. 

My hands were still shaking. 

The bathroom was empty and quiet. I could hear the muffled sounds of students and teachers in the hallway, but in here it felt like a safe bubble. 

I closed my eyes and let myself remember last night. 

After I heard that door creak, I had frozen completely. My hand was halfway to my pencil case when the sound made me jump. For a few seconds I just sat there, listening. 

But it was nothing. Just the house settling like old houses do. 

Once I was sure no one was coming, I pulled out my notebook and started writing. The story poured out of me like water through a broken dam. All the things I’d never been allowed to say. All the pain I’d carried for so long. 

I wrote until three in the morning. My hand cramped and my eyes burned, but I couldn’t stop. 

When I finished, I read it over twice. It felt good. Really good. The kind of writing that could win contests. 

But I couldn’t put my name on it. Not with my parents‘ threats hanging over my head. Not with Ava watching my every move. 

So I made a plan. 

This morning, I woke up early. While Mom was in the shower and Dad was making coffee, I told them I needed to get to school early to use the library. 

Ava was still getting ready, fussing with her hair in front of the bathroom mirror. 

“I’ll meet you at school,” I told her. 

“Why can’t you wait for me?” 

“I have research to do for history class.” 

“Fine. I’ll see you in first period.” 

I left the house and walked to school in the quiet morning air. The hallways were almost empty when I arrived. Just a few early teachers and custodial staff. 

I went straight to the bathroom near Ms. Rachna’s classroom. The same bathroom I was sitting in now. 

34 

Chapter 14 

I pulled out my story and read it one more time. Then I folded it carefully and tucked it into 

my pocket. 

I waited until I heard Ms. Rachna’s voice in the hallway, talking to another teacher. That meant she was there but not in her classroom yet. 

I slipped out of the bathroom and walked casually past her door. It was unlocked, which meant she’d been in and out already that morning. 

I pushed the door open just enough to slip inside. 

Her desk drawer was slightly open. I could see her lesson plans and grade book inside. 

I pulled the drawer open a little more and slipped my story underneath her papers. Not on top where it would be obvious, but tucked in where she’d find it when she reached for something else. 

Then I left and went back to the bathroom to wait for the morning rush of students. 

When Ava arrived, she found me by my locker like always. 

“Did 

you finish your research?” she asked. 

“Yeah. Got everything I needed.” 

And that was it. She never suspected anything. 

Now, sitting in this same bathroom stall, I felt a mixture of relief and terror. 

Ms. Rachna knew it was me. She’d figured it out somehow. But Ava was still in the dark. 

That was what mattered most. 

As long as Ava didn’t know, I was safe. She wouldn’t tell our parents. She wouldn’t ruin everything. 

I could handle Ms. Rachna knowing. Teachers were supposed to encourage students to write and express themselves. She wouldn’t punish me for having talent. 

But my family would. 

田