„I know why you're here", she said, looking at me without any facial expression. I should have known they would be here and I silently cursed myself for not thinking this through. But when she called me crying, I didn't think about her parents. Actually I didn't think much at all. I just jumped in my car and drove right to the station. To be there for her.
„You need to understand, that I...", I began without really knowing what I was going to tell her, but she cut me off anyway.
„Stop! This is a very small town. People see things. And they talk", she paused for a moment then continued, „I always thought you were an outstanding teacher", giving me one of this looks that showed so less and meant so much. I could imagine all the disappointment and all the anger she felt right now.
„I'm in love with her", I blurted out. It wasn't the time or place to confess my feelings for Aria, but what else was there to say?
She took a deep breath, „I'm gonna give you one chance to walk away from this. Not because you deserve it, but because this is the last thing we need to deal with right now. And when you go, you need to keep going. Because when Spencer's parents find out about this, they will ruin you!"
Why would Spencer's parents be mad, if they found out I was dating Aria? Then it hit me. While part of Ella's assumption was right, she was still on the wrong track. I didn't know why there would be any rumors about me dating Spencer Hasting, but obviously that was what Ella was suggesting.
She was still looking at me, waiting for my reaction. I shook my head, "I can't."
She was staring at me in disbelief. But I couldn't go. I didn't care about my career, I didn't care about my reputation, I didn't even care about my freedom. All I cared about right now was that Aria needed me. I had let her down so many times and it took me a while to realize what I had in her. But now I wanted to be in this relationship one hundred per cent and leaving her alone at the police station, when she wanted me to be there wasn't an option.
"She called me." I explained, "She had one call and she called ME. I just can't."
Ella didn't seem to realize I wasn't talking about Spencer and I knew I had to clear up that rumor at some point, but everything already seemed so complicated, I felt like I needed some time to prepare myself for the storm that was about to go down on me.
She was still looking at me, but I couldn't read her face. Then she slowly turned away and went back to the others.
We sat there for what felt like a lifetime. I had long lost track of time.
When I arrived at the waiting room the other parent's had looked at me confused and Ella told them I was there because I might have witnessed something and needed to testify at some point. I was thankful that she gave me an excuse, but I didn't dare to smile at her because I was afraid of seeing the hurt in her eyes again. It didn't seem like a very plausible excuse, but none of the other ones questioned it. I guess they were too worried about their daughters to ponder over my presence.
Emily's parents had arrived at one o'clock in the morning and filled in on the very few details we already knew. Mrs. Hastings had been in there for a while and when she came back she didn't have a lot of news for us, but what we heard sounded serious. The girls were accused of murder and apparently there was some weapon to prove it. Emily's mother looked like she was about to cry, while the other couples were whispering nervously at each other. At some point Byron got up and got coffee for everyone, he even handed me one, which made me believe, that Ella didn't tell her husband about the rumor she heard.
It was already dawning, when Mr. Hasting got up and talked to one of the officer's angrily. He came back moments later sitting down again, but still furious.
"It is five o'clock in the morning!" he shouted angrily, "Spencer called us at half past ten! That means we're sitting here for more than six hours and nobody tells us anything. I can't believe this!"
The others nodded in agreement. Then Ella frowned, "Wait, she called you?"