“Yeah… yeah,” I shake free of my bewilderment and fish my keys out before leaving the Hollow to drive across town to the high school. The streets are pretty empty for almost lunch, and the car park’s already thinning out. A deep sigh leaves me when I seehervehicle parked two rows over, and all I can do is tighten my grip on the keys as I make my way inside. The office points me in the right direction, and before I even enter the room, I can hear the conversation that’s happening.
“He’ll be late, if he shows up at all. You might as well tell me what this is all about.” Riona’s voice is as icy as her glare as I come around the corner and stand in the doorway. “Speak of the devil,” she snaps, her blue eyes piercing through me.
“What’s going on?” I ask, ignoring her jab as Daisy keeps her eyes on her lap.
“Mr. Black, please.” Daisy’s teacher points to the chair. A mousy-looking man with thick frames and thicker lenses. His hair is brushed over to make it appear like he’s not losing it rapidly, but his scalp is shiny against the fluorescent lights above us.
I look at the tiny chair and scowl. “I’ll stand.”
“Bright,” Riona scolds. I hate the way she says my name now. It stings when it touches her tongue and leaves a bad aftertaste in her mouth. “Just sit.”
“It’s okay, Ms. Cody,” the teacher plays the mediator in a war long over. “I needed to speak to you both today because there seem to be issues going on in the classroom that are preventing your daughter from her studies.”
Both of us look at Daisy, who refuses to make eye contact.
“Issues?” Riona takes control of the conversation as per usual.
“Daisy seems to be having trouble with a young man in another,” the teacher explains, and Daisy scoffs, but Riona doesn’t seem to notice. “Today marks the sixth time in the last two months that the two of them have been caught in heated exchanges.”
“Can you stop reciting Shakespeare and get to the point?” Riona snaps with a smile on her face, and it takes everything in me not to laugh at her demanding nature. It’s why I fell in love with her, and ultimately why I was scorched from her life. She didn’t give second chances, and frankly, I didn’t deserve one anyway.
“Daisy has made several claims that this student is harassing her with the help of some others, but—”
“Several?” I step forward, uncrossing my arms, and the teacher shrinks in size. The word ‘harassing’ instantly boils my blood and makes me want to find the kid myself to show him exactly what harassment feels like.
“Enough,” Riona clips, and I tense.This is why you’re left out of these conversations.Your only tactic is violence.“Why are we just being brought in now if this has been going on for months?” she says in a much more diplomatic tone.
“That’s what I would like to know,” her teacher says. “I’ve sent notes home and haven’t received replies until today, when I sent the emails.”
Riona looks over at her finally, and I can feel the worry rolling off her shoulders.
“What’s his name, Daisy?” I ask carefully.Nothing. I turn to the teacher and glare, “What’s the student's name?”
“Garth Robertson,” he finally breaks.
“Has Garth laid a hand on Daisy?” I ask carefully. I see his eyes flicker between Riona and me, his fingers shaking against the notebook open on his table.He has.I don’t get a reply, though; it’s like I’m not even in the room.
“And have you spoken to Mr. Robertson’s family?” Riona asks, turning away from our daughter.
“Uh…” the teacher stumbles, and I shake my head.
She’s going to eat you alive, you spineless coward.
“Right,” Riona pushes up off her chair and braces herself on the desk with both hands, as she leans in toward the man, and he leans back to keep the distance. “Here’s what we’re going to do: I’m going to takemy daughter home because it’s clear that you and this school have zero policies in place to protect her from bullies like Mr. Robertson.”
“Ms. Cody…” he stutters and looks to me for help, but I just stare at him.You’re on your own.
“Whatyou’regoing to do,” she begins, “is write up a formal email to Mr. Robertson’s parents and let them know that I want to have a meeting with them present to discuss exactly what’s going on and how we can move forward in a manner that benefits both students. And you’re going to do it the second I leave this office, because if I don’t hear back from you by the end of the day, I will have Mr. Black return tomorrow and stand over your desk until it’s finished.”
“Will Mr. Black be at the meeting?” The teacher asks, and Riona glares. “I need to know whether or not to wa—” he stutters, the word warn ripe on his trembling bottom lip. “Whether or not to include him in the email.”
“Mr. Black will not be at the meeting.” Riona is cold about the delivery because it’s not for the teacher; it’s a warning for me.To stay far, far away from the school and from them.“Daisy, go get your things from your locker, please.”
She doesn’t even flinch, still silent in all of this as she rises from her seat and starts out of the classroom. I don’t hesitate to follow her as Riona digs her card from her purse and lectures the teacher on calling her directly instead of passing notes.
“Daisy,” I call out, keeping a slow pace behind her as she walks through the school to her locker. “Daisy,” I say again. “Come on, Squish.” I use the stupid nickname her aunt gave her the day she was born, but it makes her stop and look up at me. “You alright?” I ask after a second.
She inhales slowly, shakes her head as she steps in my direction, and it takes everything in me not to crumble as she tucks herself into me for a long hug. I wrap my arms around her and squeeze, only letting go when she gently pushes on me for release. But I don’t let her get far, I tuck my hand around the back of her head and stare down at her.
