to your office before. Never. I’m not running to you because I was teased.” I move to the edge of the chair. “I came to you for help because Becky is using my abuse to bully me because she has details no one should have thanks to her brother, who happened to be my social worker.
“Not only that, she assaulted me. With milk. It may not be a weapon, but she could have hit or kicked me just the same like her sister and her sister’s friends did while I was at La Costa. I was a victim long enough, Mr. Croft. I will not be a victim any longer. Not by Becky, her sister, or you.” I stand, placing my palms on his desk. “If you do not ensure my safety, my parents and I will find someone who will.”
I spin on my heel to leave and stop in my tracks at the sight of Mom, Arissa, Jason, and Damian watching through the office windows.
“Sara,” Mr. Croft mutters.
I peer at him over my shoulder. “Unless you have something helpful to say, Mr. Croft, I’m done.” He remains silent, so I continue on. “Take me home, please, Mom,” I mumble, rushing by everyone and out the door. Backpacks swish and footsteps hurry behind me, but I don’t look back. I’m focused on taking deep breaths so I don’t cry or scream.
“Parker!” Jason calls, rushing to catch up to me. He shoulders his backpack as he reaches my side. “What did he say?”
I shake my head. “I can’t right now, J.” I’m pissed that another adult, who is supposed to protect the students of this school, is being flippant.
He slips his arm around my waist and walks with me to Mom’s car. His lips press against my head. “I’ll see you after school, right?”
I nod and climb in the passenger seat. He closes the door behind me and sets my backpack on the back seat.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Mom asks, driving out of the school parking lot.
I tell her about Becky’s confrontation, then my talk with Mr. Croft.
“I’m calling the school board when we get home,” she says, vexed.
I watch the houses pass by outside the window. “I think that’s a good idea. I’m taking a shower.”
“That’s a very good idea. You already stink.”
She’s smirking when I turn to her and we laugh together. It’s the best medicine next to love.
I slowly wake, aware of a warm body behind me and an arm falling down my waist. I smile, rolling over and laying my arm on his waist. “When did you get here?”
He grins and plants a kiss on my forehead. “A few minutes ago. How are you feeling?”
“Better. I just had to get out of there. I was close to either hitting Mr. Croft or tracking Becky down to beat her.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about Becky.”
“What happened?”
“I have physics with her last period. She was called to the office halfway through and she never came back.”
I recount my conversation with Mr. Croft for him and he laughs. “What’s so funny?” I ask.
“I love how assertive you are. It’s why I didn’t try to say anything to Becky today.”
I grin. “Just one of the perks of therapy. I’m hungry.”
Mom and Arissa sit at the dining room table eating apples and peanut butter.
“Look who’s up,” Arissa says. “I got your homework from the classes you missed this afternoon.”
“Thanks.”
We join them at the table. “Jason says Becky got pulled from their last class and didn’t return,” I announce.
“Mr. Croft called while you were sleeping. I guess the school board wasn’t happy about my call and what I told them. He asked us to meet with him before school tomorrow.”
“You and me?”
“You, me, Dad, Arissa, Damian, and Jason.”
“What?” Arissa asks, confused.
“Why me, Arissa, and Damian?” Jason asks, looking just as confused.
“Because you were witnesses.”
Arissa groans, simultaneously rolling her head and her eyes.
“This is one of those times when I wish I never dated that girl.”
“What were you thinking, Waters?” Arissa asks.
“Give me a break, Jericho. I was trying to forget your sister because Simon made her completely unavailable at the time.”
“Oh, right. I forget about that sometimes.”
I wish I could forget as easily as she can.
CHAPTER SIXTY
It looks like a conference waiting outside Mr. Croft’s office. Alana, Felix, and Shelly decided Mom and Dad shouldn’t be the only adults at the meeting. Ms. Stocker carries extra chairs into the office in a rush. Mr. Croft talks into his