"I'm not sure. Principal Edwards said Ms. Pruitt has asked for a leave of absence. I don't know if it's been approved."
"Leave of absence? For how long?"
"Again, I'm not told these things. I need you to take your seat. Class will be starting soon."
At the end of the day I go out to the parking lot, not sure if Brock's picking me up or if I'm going home with Trystan. I have counseling today so I'm assuming Brock will show up.
As I'm waiting at the school entrance, Trystan's car pulls up, the window rolled down. "Get in."
"You're taking me to counseling?"
"I'm taking you home. Dad will take you to counseling."
I get in the car. "I'm surprised you didn't leave without me."
"I'm being nice today." He speeds off. "Don't get used to it."
Chapter Eighteen
"Idon't feel like going to counseling," I say, bracing myself as he takes a turn way too fast. "Did you like that lady? The counselor?"
"Hated her. So did Braden. We just sat there and didn't say anything. Eventually she gave up on us."
"Maybe I should try that. I was actually starting to like Ms. Adams. I'd rather go back to her instead of Ms. Robbins."
"Dad won't go for that. I told you he slept with her, right?"
"Ms. Robbins?"
"Ms. Adams. Ms. Robbins isn't his type. She's too old."
"She's Brock's age."
"Yeah. Too old. He likes them young."
"Isn't your mom his age?"
"Yeah, but that's different. When he was young he dated women his own age. Now he only wants younger women."
"I should still be able to see Ms. Adams. It shouldn't matter if he slept with her."
"It's not just about that. He doesn't want shit about our family being told to someone at school."
"Maybe I could get out of counseling. They made me go because I punched Kristen but she's gone now so maybe I could get out of it."
"Principal Edwards isn't letting you out of counseling. He thinks you killed her. To him, you're seriously messed up."
"You want to talk about messed up? You should've seen Braden at lunch."
"I did. What the hell happened?"
"The guys asked if I was going to Friday's game. I said I wasn't sure and Braden blew up. Tossed his tray and left."
"Did you tell him it's because you want to go out with Jackson?"
"No. I didn't even mention Jackson."
Trystan shakes his head. "I don't know what's going on with him. He's acting fucking crazy."
