J
I suck on a lollipop waiting for Lisa to hurry up. She usually comes out of the school by four. It's nearly four thirty.
"There she is," I tell Alice. Pushing off her front bumper, wearing the grin I reserve just for Lisa.
When she glances up from her phone, looking all hip in her tweed blazer, mismatched tie, and black Chucks, she stops. I crook a finger at her. This is the first time I've asked her for a ride, but I want her to take me shopping for some riding gear—boots, a hat, and maybe my own riding crop. Okay, maybe not the riding crop. I'll let her reaction to it dictate whether I get one or just pretend I'm joking.
Stopped a good twenty yards away, she just stares at me. No smile. Not a twitch of movement.
"Let's go!" I call.
The parking lot is basically empty. No one there to see us. What's her deal?
She turns and walks back toward the building.
"Lisa?"
What did she forget? The tack store is going to close if she doesn't hurry up. Collapsing again against the front of Alice, I shove my hands into the pockets of my jacket to keep them warm against the cool fall breeze. A few minutes later, Principal Rafferty struts toward me like an arrow headed for the bullseye.
What now? I've been on my best behavior. No skipping classes. Not so much as a late assignment.
The lollipop. Seriously? She's going to bust me for a lollipop at the far end of the parking lot, an hour after school's been dismissed? Gail needs a life.
"Jennie." She pulls up the collar to her tan wool coat and lifts her shoulders to protect her ears from the cold.
"Principal Rafferty." I twist my lollipop in my mouth, hoping my respect in properly addressing authority buys me a free pass for my mildly illegal indiscretion.
"Do you need a ride? Can I call a friend or parent for you?"
I shake my head.
"Is there a reason you're leaning against Ms. Manoban's van?"
Easing forward, I put enough space between my backside and Alice that I'm no longer leaning against Ms. Manoban's van.
"I talked with Ms. Manoban today, and I'm going to schedule a meeting with you and your parents. But in the meantime, I need you to stay away from Ms. Manoban. Mrs. Bateman or I can handle your school needs. As for your after-school activities, such as riding the horses at Ms. Manoban's family's ranch, I have to ask that you refrain from it and not be anywhere near the property or Ms. Manoban and her family."
"What the fuck! Did you fire her?"
"Please don't take that tone with me or use such language. But no, Ms. Manoban is still employed with the school district—for now. If you want her to keep her job, I strongly suggest you heed my warnings and do as I request."
I'm kinda high and really pissed off. It's a terrible combination. I'm angry that I'm not angrier. My mind won't stay focused on one thing long enough to formulate an argument. I think I want to cry, but I'm not sure why because I haven't talked to Lisa.
But … she was there. Twenty yards away. And she walked back into the building. What if she didn't forget anything? What if this is her way of avoiding me? God … what if she sent Gail out here to get rid of me so she didn't have to face me?
That scenario would hurt the most.
"I need to talk to Lisa."
"You mean Ms. Manoban."
I clench my fists, ready to jab my half-eaten lollipop into her eye. "Yes. Ms. Manoban. Lisa. Whatever, Gail. I just need to talk to her now."
"I'm sorry." She shakes her head.
Fuck. What does she know? Who saw us or heard us? It can't be that bad if she didn't fire her. It can't be blowjob-in-her-office bad. Can it?
"Jennie, please. Let me take you home or find you a ride."
I shake my head, backing away from her, backing away from Alice, backing away from this life-snatching hellhole called school. "I'll walk," I murmur, staring over her shoulder at the door that Lisa isn't coming out of, and the building where I know she's hiding from me.
From. Me.
There's pain. It's a dull ache inside of my chest. But my high keeps me from feeling the full impact. So I decide one thing's for sure—there is absolutely no solid reason to ever be sober again.