But I’m still not entirely sure where I stand with Juliet. Last night Uncle Jasper seemed to accept me as part of the family, but I was too worn-out from getting bent over the table and spanked and fucked to really notice Juliet’s reaction to everything. Does she still hate me? What will she do once the Daddies are no longer around to make her behave?
More to the point… why do I care so much? I’ve made the meager living I have by not caring if people like Juliet love me or hate me. I wouldn’t be able to do my job if I spent all day worrying about their feelings.
But I’ve also never been forced into such intimate situations with the people whose lives I’ve written about, either. Maybe that’s the difference. Or maybe there’s something about being made to live as a Little girl that has my head and my heart more confused than usual.
Those thoughts and more tumble around in my head as Daddy leads me up the front steps of the school, to where a pretty woman with honey-colored hair pulled up in a tight bun waits for us with a smile. “Good morning, Natalie. I’m Miss Evelyn. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you already.”
The unease in my stomach churns harder, and I worry for a moment I might be sick all over her pretty blue dress. “Yeah, apparently I made quite the splash.”
“You did. But in my experience the people who make waves are the most interesting,” she says with a wink before shifting her gaze up to Daddy’s face. “Everyone else is inside. There’s a cubby with her name on it in the back if you want to put her bag there. I assume she’ll be using her diaper like the other Little ones?”
“She will. It takes a bit of coaxing to get her to go, but she’ll use it.”
Humiliation heats my cheeks. “Sheis standing right here,” I mutter.
Looking down at me, Daddy frowns, and my stomach twists again. “Don’t be rude, Natalie.”
“I’m not being rude! You’re the ones talking about me like I’m not right here!”
“We are discussing your care. Miss Evelyn needs to know these things so she can look after you while Daddy isn’t here.”
At the reminder that he’s leaving me here, with people who potentially still hate my guts, tears fill my eyes. “I don’twanther to take care of me. I want you.”
“Ah, kitten.” Bending down, he scoops me up in his arms, holding me close. “What’s wrong, little one? I thought you’d be excited for a new adventure.”
I should be. I’ve never been one to shy away from something new or challenging. But maybe all this baby stuff has really gotten to me because Ifeellike a Little girl, and the thought of him leaving me here alone is suddenly more than I can handle.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I sniffle loudly, making the sound as pitiful as possible. “I wanna go home.”
“It’s only for a few hours, kitten, and then Daddy will be right back here to pick you up.”
“Don’t care. Wanna go home.”
“But then you’ll miss out on all the fun activities Miss Evelyn has planned. Come on, let’s go inside and see your friends and I bet you’ll feel lots better.”
“No!”
“Excuse me, little girl?”
Daddy’s tone sends my heart racing. But before he can punish me, Miss Evelyn interrupts.
“If I may, Mr. Hawthorne?” When Daddy nods, she continues, a sympathetic smile on her lips. “Natalie… are you worried about your friends?”
I don’t want to answer her, but I have a feeling if I don’t, Daddy is just going to get madder. So I force myself to nod. “Uh-huh.”
“Do you want to know a secret?”
Lifting my head slightly, I peer at her over Daddy’s shoulder. “What secret?”
“They’ve all been talking about how excited they are that you’re going to be here today. I think they’d be very disappointed if you went home.”
“Even Juliet?”
Understanding warms her gaze. “Even Juliet.”
“Oh.” Well, that does change things a bit. “Okay.”
“Why don’t we let your Daddy go put your things away and I’ll take you to your friends.”
