When I got to class most of the students were already seated. I chose a seat next to David.
"Hey what happened?" he asked.
"Hey sorry I'm late."
"Yeah it's ok. So where were you?"'
"I was out, talking."
"With?"
"With...Anastasia and Belle."
"But aren't they the ones who...?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, they are."
"Oh, then why...?"
"They wanted to talk to me."
"Oh. About?"
"They invited me over after school," I answered.
"Oh."
"They're not as bad as everyone makes them out to be."
"Oh. Well, ok."
Our friends Kate and Claire walked into the room. They sat down next to us.
"Hey," Kate said.
"Hey," David said.
"Hi Claire," I said, trying to be friendly.
"Hi," she said grumpily.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing I, nothing."
There was clearly something going on with her.
"Claire, I just talked to Anastasia and Belle. I'm pretty sure you can trust me," I tried to reason with her.
"Oh. Ok. Well."
"Yes?"
"Are you doin anything after school?" she asked.
"Yeah I'm going to their place, a-parrently."
"Oh ok great I'll ask them if I can come with."
"But, what about Keesha and Reba?" Kate asked, of Claire's younger sisters.
She meant who'd stay with them if Claire wouldn't be there.
"Will you, stay with them for a bit?"
"Ok sure."
"I haven't seen Lizzie have you?" David asked.
"No, no I haven't."
"Oh."
"Hey, will either you or Shannon make sure Mom, Rosa and Maria are ok?" I asked David, referring to his younger sister.
"Yeah sure."
"Ok."
By 'ok' I was asking if they'd make sure my dad didn't hurt them.