Chapter Thirty-One
Forbidden
Mrs. Finch answers phones and types into her computer while Summer and I sit in uncomfortable chairs outside the principal’s office, glaring at one another. I refuse to look away first. Luka is behind the closed door, telling his side of the story to Mr. Jolly. Jared already went.
I scratch my wrist, wishing this whole day was one giant nightmare. But my eczema burns with agitation. I sit there, waiting for my turn, trying to figure out what to say, wondering if Summer will tell Mr. Jolly about the Edward Brooks Facility. How long before my parents find out everybody in school knows? How long before we pack up our bags and move again?
Away from Luka.
A strong, sudden sympathy for Pete overwhelms me. Because what if this is how he felt about Elliana? With a flash of clarity, I get it. I understand why he hated me for moving. At this moment, I hate myself. I hate this problem I have. I hate that I need medicine. I hate that missing a dose makes my world go haywire. I hate that I am Tess the Freak again. And I hate—really, really hate—this girl across from me.
Not able to bear the unanswered question any longer, I shift into the seat beside her.
Summer leans away from me.
“How did you know about my grandmother?” I hiss.
She lifts her nose, the epitome of snob. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
I narrow my eyes. Now that was an interesting answer.
The door to the office bursts open, severing my glare-down and distracting me from my intrigue. It’s Luka’s parents. His mother enters first, prim and proper, beautiful as ever. His father follows close behind. I’ve only seen him a couple times, but each encounter leaves me newly intimidated. He’s a man who exudes authority, commands attention. Where Luka’s good looks are attractive, Mr. Williams’ good looks only make him more intimidating.
Summer’s scowling face morphs into sweet innocence and for a second, I think I might throw up. She straightens in her seat. “Oh hi, Mr. and Mrs. Williams.”
Mrs. Williams gives her a smile much warmer than any she’s ever given me. The unfairness of it crawls under my skin. The woman is an awful judge of character.
“Luka should be out in a second,” Mrs. Finch says.
As if on cue, the door opens and Principal Jolly appears. Luka steps around him. He spots his parents filling the bulk of the office and looks at the carpet.
“Mr. and Mrs. Williams.” Mr. Jolly nods at them both, tugging at the waist of his khaki slacks. “This isn’t like your son. In fact, I was shocked when Mr. Lotsam brought him into my office. I believe he’s remorseful, but protocol needs to be followed. Which means Luka will go home today and can return tomorrow.”
Mr. Williams looks at his son, then at me, and the disapproval painting his face makes me shrink back in my chair. “I can assure you, Principal Jolly, that this will not happen again.”
“I don’t think it will.”
“Come on,” Mr. Williams puts his hand on the back of Luka’s neck, “it’s time to go.”
I will Luka to look at me, but his father guides him out of the office and Luka keeps his attention glued to the floor. My heart plummets. I can’t shake the feeling that everything is ruined. Everything.
Principal Jolly waves Summer into his office. “You first.”
Great. Summer first.
She’ll put on her sweet, fake mask and tell him all about how dangerous I am and how students have the right to know. I won’t stand a chance. She steps into his office and the door closes with a definitive click. It’s me and Mrs. Finch, who doesn’t seem to notice my presence at all. She stands from her desk and starts punching buttons on the copy machine.
I crane my neck and stare at Luka, flanked by his parents, growing smaller and smaller down the hallway. The urge to eavesdrop overwhelms me. With one final glance at Mrs. Finch’s back, I make my escape. I need to know what Luka’s parents have to say. I close the door silently behind me and hurry after the trio, my back sliding against the wall. Once outside, I keep close to the building, behind some hedges, careful to stay out of sight.
Luka jerks away from his dad’s grip and I duck behind some bushes.
“I’ll drive myself home,” he says.
“No, you won’t.” His dad’s voice exudes as much authority as his presence. “I think it’s best if you lose your car privileges for a while.” He looks around, as if making sure nobody’s within hearing distance. I flatten myself against the ground, desperate to stay hidden. Mr. Williams leans closer to Luka. “You’re obviously not listening to your mother, but you will listen to me. You are not to see that girl anymore.”
“That girl has a name.”
That girl, I assume, is me.
“I don’t care about her name. All I care about is that this ends today. No more, Luka. You will obey us.”
Luka glares.
Mrs. Williams twists the silk scarf in her hands. “She’s dangerous, honey.”
Me? Dangerous? I’m five-foot nothing. Barely more than a hundred pounds, soaking wet. Sure, I’m strong in my dreams. Maybe even dangerous in them. But that isn’t real life. In real life, I can break some boards. That’s about it.
“I won’t have my only son throwing his future away on a crazy girl,” Mr. Williams says.
Luka squares his shoulders. “You forget that she’s not the only one who’s gone to the Edward Brooks Facility.”
His father shushes Luka’s words. “All the more reason why you can’t be associated with her. Do you think if it gets out about her that it won’t get out about you? Listen to me, it ends here. Crazy people are not tolerated in this society. They are a burden. I will not have you labeled a burden. You are to have nothing to do with her, do you understand?”
His words are like a blast that rock me to my core. Mainly because of their truth. Mr. Williams is right. I shift, trying to get a better look at Luka. He stares back at his father in defiance, the back of his neck red.
I want to jump up from my spot behind the bush and tell him to agree. His dad’s right. I’m not worth the trouble. A boy like Luka—he has a whole world of possibilities stretching ahead of him. A world I will only ruin. My quick descent from normalcy is proof.
“I’ll take drastic measures, Luka. Don’t test me.”
Mr. Williams clamps his hand on Luka’s shoulder and leads him across the parking lot. I lay there in the gravel, making the decision for us. I won’t let Luka drown with me. As much as my heart breaks over losing him, I know what I have to do. If he won’t stay away from me, then I’ll stay away from him. Because this psychosis or whatever it is? It’s not going away. I refuse to let Luka ruin his present and his future for a girl headed to an asylum.
The Gifting (Book 1 in The Gifting Series) Page 32
