Lily took a shaky breath.
“Because we wanted a way to talk outside of school. That’s all.”
My shoulders relaxed slightly.
“We just wanted somewhere to chat. Share things. You know. Like memes and stuff.”
Principal Elias nodded slowly. “And did Avery encourage any of you to write stories? Or post things about your families?”
“No.” Lily shook her head firmly. “She never told us to do anything like that.”
A wave of relief washed over me. She didn’t tell them that I was the one who brought up ClipTalk in the first place.
“Daniel?” Principal Elias turned to him. “What about you? Why did you join this ClipTalk group?”
Daniel shrugged. “Same reason as Lily. We just wanted to talk outside of school. Avery never made us do anything weird.”
“Arthur?”
Arthur’s voice was quieter than the others and slightly shaky but the story stayed consistent.
“I just joined because my friends were on it. Avery was nice. She never said anything bad about anyone.” He said.
“So none of you encouraged Avery to write these stories about her family?” Principal Elias asked.
All three of them shook their heads.
“We didn’t even know she was writing stories,” Lily said. “She never shared them with us.”
Principal Elias leaned back in his chair, looking at all the parents.
“It seems clear that these students had nothing to do with Avery’s behavior.”
“That can’t be right,” Mom said. Her voice was harsh and angry. “She changed after meeting them.”
“Mrs. Flynn, correlation doesn’t give right to accusation. Just because Avery made new friends around the same time she started writing doesn’t mean they influenced her.”
“I still don’t buy it,” Dad said. “I want to see to go through their phones. I want proof they weren’t encouraging her.”
“Mr. Flynn, I understand your concern. But the school doesn’t have the right to access students‘ private stuffs.”
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༡.
33
“Even if they might contain evidence?” He raised his tempo and I could see veins popping slightly on his
neck.
“Unless there’s a direct threat to the school or to other students, we can’t violate their privacy. And from what these students have told me, there’s no such threat.”
“This is ridiculous,” Mom muttered.
Lily’s mom spoke up. “Maybe you should focus on why your daughter felt the need to write those stories in the first place. Instead of blaming other children.”
Mom’s face went red. “Are you implying something?”
“I’m just saying. Kids don’t write things like that for no reason.”
“My daughter has an active imagination. That’s all.” Mom said firmly.
“If you say so.”
“Ladies, please.” Principal Elias held up his hands. “Let’s stay focused.”
He turned to my parents.
“I’ve concluded my investigation. These students are not responsible for Avery’s actions. However, Avery will face consequences for lying to me about writing that story.”
My stomach dropped.
“What kind of consequences?” Dad asked.
“A two–week suspension. Starting today.”
I felt the room spin around. No school for two weeks?
“That seems fair enough,” Mom said.
Fair? Nothing about this was fair.
“During her suspension, Avery will not be allowed on school property. She’ll receive assignments from her teachers to complete at home.”
“Understood,” Dad said.
“Is there anything else?” Mom asked.
“No. That concludes our meeting. Thank you all for coming.”
Everyone stood up. The other parents gathered their kids, shooting me looks as they passed.
Lily caught my eye and mouthed “I’m sorry.”
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Chapter 29
I looked away, this wasn’t her fault. If anything they all saved me from a graver punishment.
We filed out of the conference room. Back down the hallway. Out to the parking lot.
The car ride home was silent again.
But this time the silence felt heavier and gloomy.
When we got home, Dad parked in the driveway and turned off the engine.
“Inside. Now.”
I got out of the car and into the house.
Mom and Dad followed close behind.
In the living room, they both stood facing me with their arms crossed.
“Two weeks suspension,” Dad said. His voice was ice cold. “Do you understand how embarrassing that is for us?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. You lied. You hid things. You made us look like fools in front of those other parents.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“But you did. And now you’re going to face the consequences.”
Mom stepped forward.
“For the next two weeks, you are grounded. You don’t leave this house unless we take you somewhere. No friends. No computer. No phone. Nothing.”
“Okay.”
“You will follow a strict routine,” Dad continued. “Wake up at six. Make your breakfast. Do your schoolwork. Complete your chores. Read your textbooks. That’s it.”
“No TV. No games. No fun of any kind,” Mom added. “You will spend every single day thinking about what you did.”
I kept my head down. “I understand.”
“And if you ever,” Dad’s voice got louder. “Ever try something like this again, the consequences will be much worse. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes.” I said monotonously.
“Go to your room.”
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Chapter 29
I turned and walked upstairs and closed my door behind me.
Two weeks of this. Two weeks of being trapped in this house with nothing but chores and textbooks.
Two weeks of my parents watching my every move.
I laid back on my pillow and stared at the ceiling.
This was worse than I’d bargained for. So much worse.
Yes, in my previous life, I’d been pushed into that pool. Been humiliated. But this? This never happened.
This was suffocating. Must be because I never made friends or wrote the story.
I close my eyes and tried to think of a way out.
But there wasn’t one…at least not yet.
I’d have to endure it. Just like I’d endured everything else.
Hours passed. The sun went down and the house got quiet.
I heard footsteps in the hallway. Voices downstairs. Ava was laughing about something.
Of course she was laughing. This was probably the best day of her life.
I rolled over and faced the wall.
my door opened slowly.
I didn’t turn around. I wasn’t interested in seeing who it was.
“Avie?”
It was Ava sounding all sweet but I still didn’t turn around.
“Avie, are you okay?”
The footsteps crossed my room as I felt her sit on the edge of my bed.
“I know today was really hard for you.”
“But maybe this is for the best. You know? Like a fresh start.”
Was she serious right now?
“I’m here if you want to talk. I know we haven’t been super close lately but I’m still your sister.”
Still your sister. The sister my parents killed me for.
“Mom and Dad are just worried about you. That’s why they’re being so strict.”
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Chapter 29
I clenched my fists under the blanket.
“They love you. We all do.”
And that did it for me.
I sat up and turned to face her.
“Get out.”
Ava blinked. “What?”
“I said get out of my room.”
“Avie, I’m just trying to help.”
you
“You should help yourself. I was a fool to wish you would change from the past, not with what did.”
“What I did? I didn’t do anything.”
“You told them about my friends. You reminded them about the laptop. You whispered to Mom about Ms. Rachna. You did all of it.”
“I was trying to help Mom and Dad understand.”
“No. You were trying to get me in trouble. Like you always do.”
Ava’s face changed. The fake concern dropped. Her eyes got colder.
“You got yourself in trouble, Avie. I just told the truth.”
“The truth? Or your version of it?”
“My version is the only version. Because it’s what actually happened.”
I stood up from the bed and pointed to the door.
“Get. Out.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll make you get out.”
Ava laughed.
“You’re threatening me now? After everything that happened today? You really don’t learn, do you?”
I smiled.
“I’m not threatening you. I’m telling you. Get out of my room. And don’t come back.”
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Chapter 29
Ava stood up slowly, Smoothed down her clothes.
“Fine. But when you’re sitting in this room for the next two weeks with nothing to do, remember that this to yourself.”
She walked to the door. Paused.
“Mom and Dad will always believe me over you. You know that, right?”
I didn’t answer.
She smiled. “Goodnight, Avie.”
The door closed behind her.
I stood there shaking. My whole body was tense and angry.
33
you
did
I was done taking their nonsense. Done letting Ava manipulate everyone and definitely done staying quiet.
田
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
