by Heather Beck
Marching to her locker, Anastasia pushed past Kate. She’d had enough of her bullshit, and she definitely wasn’t going to put up with it any longer. Unfortunately, it appeared that Kate wouldn’t back down that easily.
“You’ll never win,” Kate hissed, starting to circle Anastasia as if they were wild animals. She then brought her face close to Anastasia’s and whispered in a threatening tone, “This is my school and my town. You don’t have a chance.”
“You may think that you own Cedar Falls, but it’s merely a delusion,” Anastasia hissed right back. “Rumor has it you’re just a sad little peeping tom who can’t get a man.”
Kate’s face turned the deepest shade of red Anastasia had ever seen. Her breathing became shallow, and she almost looked like she was going to have a heart attack. Quickly, Anastasia regretted her words. This wasn’t the way to deal with someone like Kate, and even worse than that, she’d betrayed Frost’s trust. Anastasia knew that she’d taken things way too far.
“What’s she talking about?” Marissa asked Kate.
“Nothing,” Kate snapped. “She’s the daughter of a whore. Don’t believe a word she says.”
Or maybe Anastasia hadn’t taken things far enough.
Smack!
Anastasia hardly knew what she’d done until it was too late. In anger and retaliation, she’d slapped Kate right across the face. It had felt so good and totally justifiable. After all, she had no right to make such a horrible comment about Anastasia and her mother.
Slowly, Kate took her hand away from her flushed cheek. As her shocked expression lessened, her fury was crystal clear. Marissa tried to comfort her, but she wasn’t the least bit interested. In her eyes, Anastasia could see that she was only after revenge.
“You little bitch!” Kate shrieked as she lunged toward Anastasia and shoved her against the lockers.
Pain shot throughout Anastasia’s body, followed by an uncomfortable tingling sensation. Her elbows and back were particularly sore since they had been the first parts to make contact with the lockers. Cringing, Anastasia attempted to strike back at Kate, but Frost stopped her mid-attack by wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her away. He had arrived at her side so quickly that she could do nothing to resist.
“Stop it right now!” a male voice suddenly shouted.
Anastasia, Frost, Kate, and Marissa stood still, watching with wide eyes as Principal Keith marched toward them. Knowing that fighting on school property would be considered a serious offense, Anastasia felt her heart sink. At least Kate had been caught, too. That meant she wouldn’t be going down without Kate right by her side.
“What is the meaning of this?” Principal Keith demanded with a very stern expression.
“There was a slight misunderstanding,” Frost said, finally letting go of Anastasia and then stepping forward, “but it’s been resolved.”
“Is that so?” Principal Keith replied, obviously not believing a word Frost had said. “Well, I certainly don’t consider fighting in the hallway any sort of resolution. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Anastasia, my office – now.”
“What...what about Kate?” Anastasia hardly choked out, overcome with disbelief. “She provoked me. She pushed me.” Anastasia knew that she sounded desperate and childish, but this was just so unfair!
“I saw you attempting to assault Kate,” Principal Keith spoke to Anastasia in a strict tone. “Although I will be questioning everyone involved, disciplining you, Anastasia, is my top priority.” He then turned to Frost, Kate and Marissa, still looking very serious. “You may go to class.”
“Thank you for helping me, Principal Keith,” Kate said with a fake sob, before grasping onto Marissa’s arm and quickly walking away.
“You honestly don’t have the whole story,” Frost warned Principal Keith.
“Get to class, Frost,” Principal Keith replied.
Obediently, Frost began to leave, but not before casting Anastasia a supportive look and mouthing to her, it’s okay. Unfortunately, his kind gestures did little to soothe her worries because she knew that he was so wrong. Her current situation couldn’t possibly be any worse.
The minutes ticked by slowly as Anastasia sat in the principal’s office yet again. This time she was waiting for her grandfather to arrive so he could be somewhat inaccurately informed of her latest misdeed. As luck would have it, the principal hadn’t been able to contact her grandmother; that meant she would have to cope with her grandfather’s reaction all by herself – terrific.
A knock sounded upon the door, causing Principal Keith to get up quickly. Anastasia turned around in her chair to see her grandfather being ushered inside. As expected, he looked furious. However, in his eyes, she saw another emotion. Was it shame or disappointment? Both of these guesses made Anastasia feel like crap.
“Hello, Mr. Keith,” Mr. Lockhart greeted solemnly, while shaking his hand.
“Mr. Lockhart,” Principal Keith replied, nodding toward an unoccupied chair. “I’m sorry we’re not meeting under better circumstances.”
Mr. Lockhart refused the chair that Principal Keith had intended for him. “What’s happened?” he asked instead.
“I caught Anastasia trying to engage in a physical fight with another student. As you likely know, we have a zero tolerance policy in regards to violence.”
“I completely understand,” Mr. Lockhart spoke quickly, “but did you see Anastasia hit this other student?”
“Like I said, Mr. Lockhart, I arrived on the scene before anything serious could take place. I’m very particular about patrolling the hallways, especially when students should be in class.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Keith, if Anastasia didn’t actually hit someone, I don’t see the need for quite this much rigmarole.”
“That is entirely irrelevant!” Principal Keith remarked, clearly unable to maintain the passive-aggressive debate which he and Mr. Lockhart were engaged in. “There are other witnesses. In fact, it appears that Frost was of great assistance in keeping Anastasia under control.”
Remaining silent, Mr. Lockhart shot Anastasia a quick, angry look. She wondered what upset him more – the fact that she was in trouble or that she’d disobeyed his orders regarding Frost. It was probably a combination of both, although she had been pleasantly surprised by his willingness to defend her. Maybe their relationship wasn’t as far gone as she’d thought.
“I always consider the welfare of all my students,” Principal Keith continued in a matter-of-fact tone. “Although I must protect the victim, I’m also doing what’s best for Anastasia in the long run. She’s dealing with a tough situation at Cedar Falls High, and that is surely interfering with her decisions, not to mention her studies.”
“What tough situation?” Mr. Lockhart almost snapped.
“I’m referring to the allegation of an inappropriate relationship between Anastasia and a faculty member. Although hard evidence is yet to be found, the investigation is still ongoing.”
Wincing at the untimely revelation of such personal information, Anastasia slowly slid further down in her chair. She stared at the carpeted floor as if it was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen. Unfortunately, Anastasia and her grandmother’s efforts to keep the Mr. O’Donoghue scandal quiet suddenly didn’t matter – the secret was out.
“It’s not true, Grandpa,” Anastasia muttered, trying to control her anger and frustration. She was distraught when he said nothing and instead looked away.
“I’m sure the last few days have been difficult,” Principal Keith spoke to Anastasia, softly and almost in a condescending manner, “and I’m more than willing to recommend a wonderful therapist. However, I don’t have any other choice but to expel you because of today’s behavior.”
Anastasia knew that this was coming the moment Principal Keith called out to them in the hallway. However, actually hearing those words made the situation feel that much more real. What was she going to do now? She doubted there were any other schools n
earby – not that they’d want her anyway.
“Can I ask you to reconsider?” Mr. Lockhart tried one last time, most definitely losing endurance.
“I’m afraid not,” Principal Keith replied, before turning to Anastasia and then adding, “Please remove your personal belongings from your locker and leave immediately.”
Humiliated and still very much angry, Anastasia hurried out of the principal’s office without saying a word. When she entered the hallway, she almost bumped into Marissa. She wondered what Marissa was doing there but that hardly mattered anymore.
“Anastasia, I’m so...” Marissa began to say. However, she was interrupted by Mr. Lockhart.
“Get your things and meet me in the car,” he said gruffly. “I’m too embarrassed to stay here any longer.”
Anastasia and her grandfather left in opposite directions, but she soon realized that she wasn’t alone as Marissa hurried after her, begging for her to stop so they could talk. Anastasia kept on going, trying to ignore her for as long as possible. However, Marissa’s refusal to give up finally broke her down.
“What do you want from me?” Anastasia demanded, spinning around so quickly to face Marissa that they almost collided. “There’s nothing left for you to take.”
“I...I don’t want anything,” Marissa stuttered. “What happened with the principal?”
“None of your business,” Anastasia snapped, while opening her locker and retrieving the only items which belonged to her – the rose and sweet love notes that Frost had given her. “Do you really think I’d give you even more reasons to gossip about me?”
“It’s not like that,” Marissa protested.
“Save it, because I’m not interested.” With that said, Anastasia marched down the hallway, out of Cedar Falls High and into her grandfather’s car.
As expected, the ride home was deathly quiet. This atmosphere was all too familiar for Anastasia, but that didn’t mean she was any more comfortable with it. The silence gave her a moment to think, and she couldn’t help but wonder where her spiraling life would lead her. Anastasia used to think that the chaos would have to eventually end at some point. However, she now pondered if she really was cursed, forever doomed to cause trouble wherever she went.
“I see Rose got my message,” Mr. Lockhart pointed out in a grave tone.
Seeing her grandmother’s car parked in the driveway, Anastasia cringed. They had been getting on so well, and she hated to think how this latest incident would negatively impact the progress they’d made. This specific consequence greatly irritated her.
Anastasia’s grandfather exited the car, causing her to follow him even though she was feeling particularly heavy-footed. Somehow she managed to walk into the house, and as soon as she did, no words or emotions were held back.
“Is everything alright?” Mrs. Lockhart asked, immediately jumping up from the chair she’d been nervously sitting in and then hurrying toward Anastasia. She studied her face and body, before letting out a sigh of relief. “You don’t look hurt, but are you?”
“No, I...” Anastasia tried to respond.
“She’s the one who started the fight,” Mr. Lockhart interrupted.
“What?” Mrs. Lockhart’s eyes widened.
“And she’s been expelled for it,” he continued, growing angrier by the second.
“Oh, Anastasia.”
“Stop it!” Anastasia cried, overcome with fury. “Don’t you even want to hear my side of the story? It’s like no one cares about what I have to say!”
“How can we trust anything that you say or do?” Mr. Lockhart bellowed. “We’ve done everything we can to provide you with a safe home and an opportunity to turn your life around. Yet, all you do is keep disappointing us. What other choice do we have, Anastasia? You have to go back to Toronto.”
At first, Anastasia’s eyes widened with shock, but soon the truth settled in. “Let’s face it, Grandpa, I was never welcomed here in the first place. You hate the fact that I’m my mother’s daughter and that you couldn’t save either of us.”
Running to her bedroom, Anastasia slammed the door behind her and then began packing as quickly as possible. She wasn’t going to spend a moment longer in a place where no one wanted her, but that didn’t mean she was leaving Cedar Falls. Anastasia couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing now that she was with Frost. Somehow, she’d figure out a way to stay and make it work.
In the background, Anastasia heard her grandparents arguing. She couldn’t remember them ever being so upset with each other, and underneath her own anger, she felt guilty for causing trouble. However, she repressed that feeling and instead tried to concentrate on a solution to her current problem. Eventually, her grandparents ceased fighting, but only when the telephone began ringing continuously.
Ten minutes later, just as Anastasia had packed the last item, a knock sounded upon her door. Before she had a chance to say, come in, or more likely, go away, her grandmother opened the door ever so gently and then stepped inside.
“We need to talk,” Mrs. Lockhart said softly.
“Please don’t,” Anastasia replied, while trying to close her luggage with some difficulty. “I’m not going to fight with you.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” she said, after sitting down on Anastasia’s bed and gesturing for her to do the same. “That was your principal on the telephone. He said another student came forth, insisting that you were acting in self-defense. Mr. Keith acknowledges that he was hasty in making a decision and, under the circumstances, has decided to reduce your expulsion to a one week suspension.”
“Does it even matter?” Anastasia asked, although she couldn’t deny that she was somewhat satisfied to hear the news. “Grandpa doesn’t want me here. I’m leaving.”
“Your grandfather is a proud man, but that’s not always a good trait. He doesn’t show his emotions well, and he hates to admit when he’s wrong. However, he did ask me to speak with you. We want to forget today ever happened, and your mother doesn’t even have to know.”
“What’s the catch?” Anastasia asked with narrowed eyes.
“We want you to take the job at the library. It will give you direction, responsibility and perhaps help keep you out of trouble.” Mrs. Lockhart smiled at Anastasia, making her realize that she did have a choice in the matter. “Oh, and one other thing,” she added slowly, as if to heighten the suspense, “you must believe that you’re always welcome here – because you are.”
As her grandmother wrapped her in a hug, Anastasia realized how much she was loved. Suddenly, everything that had happened today no longer felt so dire, and somehow, she knew that she would get through it.
* * *
It was the first day of Anastasia’s suspension from school, and she only had one objective in mind – to see Chloe and make sure she was getting better. As she walked down the corridors of the hospital, she found herself less apprehensive about being there. Anastasia realized that being exposed to an environment she didn’t particularly like actually made it seem not as scary. She guessed that after a while anything could be perceived as normal.
As Anastasia neared Chloe’s room, Mr. Fairbanks exited. He hadn’t seen her yet, and she contemplated turning around and leaving. However, she was desperate to speak with Chloe, and it’s not like she’d done anything wrong. Mustering all her confidence, Anastasia proceeded forward.
Now talking on his cell phone, Mr. Fairbanks was still oblivious of Anastasia’s presence. “Can’t you get an earlier flight?” he asked in an annoyed tone. “Chloe will be released by the time you arrive, and I know that she needs your support now.” He paused for a moment and then sighed. “It’s your choice, Gloria – goodness knows you’ve never listened to me. However, she’s your daughter, and I thought that meant something.”
After ending the call, Mr. Fairbanks turned sideways, finally noticing Anastasia. He looked startled at first, but he soon approached her with an emotionless expression upon his face. “Anastasia,�
� he greeted, appearing neither angry nor upset to see her.
“I’ve come to see Chloe,” Anastasia said firmly. “She’s my best friend, regardless of what you may think.”
Mr. Fairbanks nodded. “Chloe told me what happened that night – well, the parts that she can remember. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, but you have to realize that Chloe’s my life. She’s the only person I have left in this world, and if anything happened to her, I couldn’t cope with it.”
“What about her mother?” Anastasia pried, already suspecting that Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks were no longer together. “Hasn’t she been around?”
Sadly, he shook his head. “She’s been in Europe for the past two years. Since then, we’ve only seen her once when she visited for Chloe’s sixteenth birthday.”
From Chloe’s expensive new lifestyle to Mr. Fairbanks uncharacteristic behavior, it all made a lot more sense now. They were both dealing with a massive change and were most likely experiencing feelings of abandonment. She just couldn’t believe that Chloe hadn’t opened up to her about the separation or, quite possibly, the divorce. It must have hit her really hard.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Anastasia said sincerely, deciding to forgive and forget Mr. Fairbanks behavior toward her and Frost on that dreadful night. “You said something about Chloe’s memory – what’s wrong with it?”
“She’s having trouble remembering the attack. The doctor scanned her brain, and there appears to be no damage. They think it may be a response to the traumatic events she’s endured. Perhaps it’s a defense mechanism to help deal with the shock.”
“Can I see her?” Anastasia asked anxiously.
“Of course,” Mr. Fairbanks said, stepping aside.
Quietly, Anastasia entered the room to find Chloe reclining in bed, her eyes closed and her head slightly turned. She still looked pale and fragile, but there was a calm demeanor about her, and her cheeks had a hint of rosiness to them. As if Chloe could sense Anastasia’s presence, she opened her eyes and offered a small smile.
