Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Those assurances do nothing for the shotgun-sized hole in my chest when I step into the bedroom and find that she has gone. Not a single trace of her remains except for her scent. Tension seeps into every muscle fiber in my body, and it isn’t logical. This is what I asked her to do. This is the only thing that’s right. So why does it feel like she’s betrayed me?
The remainder of the weekend passes in a blur. Squashing every urge to stalk her and fuck her again, I resolve that this will be the week I let her go for good. When Monday rolls around, I take relief in the fact that she doesn’t have class that day. But when the time for after school detention comes and she doesn’t show, it feels like a slap in the face. Of course, she doesn’t actually have detention. She’s served her sentence, and there is no logical reason she should be here. But that hasn’t stopped her from showing up every day regardless. Until today.
My irritation only compounds when on Tuesday, she doesn’t show for class either. When I ask Sybil where she’s at, she tells me that Stella is sick, which I already know from the attendance logs, but that isn’t the explanation I want to hear.
Stella isn’t sick. This much I know. But I suspect her absence has everything to do with the fact that news of her father has just gone public, and now the entire school knows. I wonder how she’s handling it, and then I berate myself for thinking I could ever care. I am a Carter, after all.
By Thursday, I’m strung so tight it’s inevitable that I’m going to snap. And when she finally shows her face in my class, it’s the first time I feel like I can breathe again. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, or what I’m even supposed to be doing for the lesson plan today, which becomes apparent to the entire class as I fumble around with my paperwork. It’s at this point the chatter starts, and Louisa makes a point to let her voice be heard above all the rest when my back is turned.
“Hey Stella, nice outfit. Did your daddy steal that too? Maybe you should consider changing your signature color to prison orange so you guys can match.”
Her friends start to snicker before joining in on the witch hunt with their own remarks. “Will you have to do sexual favors to spring him?” Libby adds.
“I’m sure she’ll see him again soon. She can work off some of his time,” Louisa retorts. “On her back.”
Slowly, I turn and meet Stella’s gaze. Her cheeks are red, and it’s painfully obvious she’s on the verge of tears as Sybil turns around to defend her. But I interject before she can say anything.
“Louisa.” Her name snaps from my mouth like a whip, and she jumps before swiveling her head in my direction. She thinks she’s untouchable because her father donates sizable contributions to the school every year to make up for her hellish behavior. But today, she will come to understand that unlike the rest of the staff, my willful ignorance is not for sale. “I’d like to see you and Libby in the hallway. Now. Gather your things, you won’t be coming back here today.”
The classroom falls silent as Louisa and Libby gather their things with wide-eyed expressions and follow me into the hall. I had the best of intentions to remain professional, but Louisa is already opening her mouth, armed with an excuse for her behavior.
“It was just a joke, Mr. Carter,” she says sourly. “We didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Do you think it’s a joke to Stella?” I ask. “Do you think for one second she found your ignorant and cliched commentary funny?”
Louisa’s mouth falls open in dismay, and her face mottles with the anger of a teenager who’s never heard the word no in her life. “You know this is how things work, Mr. Carter. She doesn’t belong here. And I’m sorry that I’m the one who has to point out the obvious, but she’s the daughter of a criminal.”
“Oh?” I fold my arms over my chest and examine her. “And you’ve never done anything illegal or immoral, Louisa?”
Her lip trembles as she attempts to hide her surprise. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I believe there were several shoplifting incidents your father took great care to keep off your record. There was also the matter of the pills the headmistress found in your locker. And then there was the time you seduced a teacher your freshman year in exchange for a better grade. Mr. Norman, if I remember correctly. I’m not certain if that was before or after you were caught in a compromising position with two boys in the library.”