I snort. A mistake is dropping the carton of milk on the floor, or a silly spelling error in an essay. Cheating is not just a mistake; it’s the ultimate betrayal, and one that is hard to recover from.
But it’s comforting to know that my parents are going to try and work things out. It’s even better to know that Dad will be home and close to me again. I’m not sure if I can forgive Mom yet, but for my sake, and Dad’s, I’m going to try.
I doze off on the couch and sometime during the night, I slightly rouse from sleep when I feel myself being carried. The softness of my mattress hits my back and my pillow wraps around my head as Dad tucks me into bed. He kisses my forehead and strokes my hair tenderly.
“Love you, baby,” he whispers, before closing the door as sleep overcomes me.
***
I’m so thankful Friday has arrived, as the mood around school is somber, and I think everyone is looking forward to the weekend. Mr. A’s death has hit the school hard, but the hardest thing is the constant reminder of his passing when attending history class.
Eli has taken this week off from work, and there’s a relief teacher in his place. Everybody seems distracted and unable to focus on the coursework—especially me.
I’m worried about Eli.
“Jill, can I please see you in my office?”
Looking up from my books, I see Mr. Galleu standing in the doorway. Everyone’s eyes turn to me as I pack up my books and follow him out. Why does he want to see me? My skin prickles as I follow him down the hall.
He opens the door to his office, motioning for me to go through first. The minute my foot steps in the room, I notice Eli is sitting in a chair at the d
esk. He stares straight ahead, not acknowledging me.
My hands start shaking. My worst fear is coming true. Who the fuck told him?
“Thank you for your time, Jill. It’s been reported to the school by a student that you and Mr. Anderson here are in a relationship.” His eyes narrow in on mine. He pauses, wetting his lips.
I open my mouth, ready to defend us, but before I can, Galleu continues. “Mr. Anderson is denying any such claim. However, I want you to think about the seriousness of an incident like this. If you have been pressured into a relationship of any kind with a teacher at this school, you need to let me know.”
Eli’s eyes move from outside the window to looking at me.
“As I said, Mr. Galleu, I had been in contact with Ms. Wilson due to her mother experiencing some difficulty, and I was phoned to a party that got out of control by another student. Apart from that, there’s no relationship.”
Galleu turns to me. “Jill?”
“Mr. Anderson is right. There’s no relationship and there never has been,” I mumble. I want to laugh. This couldn’t have waited until next week? He just lost his father, for God’s sake.
“Okay.” Mr. Galleu smiles briefly. “That is all I need, then. Thank you Jill, you may leave.”
I storm out of the office and head straight for where I know Jamie hangs out. The lunchtime bell has just rung, and students pour out of the classrooms around me. By the time I reach the small alcove just off from the cafeteria, I can already see him and his friends standing there.
“Jamie, can I talk to you for a second?” I narrow my eyes at his group of minions, who whistle at me. “Privately.”
“How come Jamie gets head and we don’t?” one of his filthy friends asks, laughing as he grabs his crotch. “C’mon, Jilly. You know you want it.”
“Fuck off, asshole,” I mutter. At the same time, Jamie punches him on the arm with a frown.
We walk away from the group into the corner of the cafeteria, where nobody is around.
“Did you report us? Eli and I?”
“No, why?” he asks, dumbfounded, his eyes wide.
“Because someone reported us, Jamie,” I say, clenching my teeth. “I thought we had gotten past our differences, or was that all talk?”
“I’m telling you, it wasn’t me,” he protests, and for some strange reason I believe him.
I groan and roll my eyes, wishing the world would give us a fucking break. It’s one thing after another.