- Kat is walking down the hallway to the principal's office. She knew what was going to happen. She knew what he would say. She knew what she had to do.
She opened the door to the office. The first thing she saw was her mother. Kat started panicking. She wanted to be the one to tell her parents. And she certainly didn't want her finding out this way. She didn't see her principal either. Usually he was in the main office. The door to his private office was open. He wasn't in there.
Kat: What's going on?
Her mother got up from the seat and walked up to her.
Mrs. Montgomery: You're not going to school. I signed you out. Go get your stuff.
Kat was more confused but didn't say anything. She walked back down the hall, into Ezra's room. When she opens the door, nobody looks at her. She doesn't like that-she thought the world revolved around her. She grabbed her stuff and walked to his desk. His eyes never left her. She told him she was leaving and he gives her a slight nod. Her car was here so she just assumed she's drive home and meet her mom at the house. When she got there, she saw that not only was her mom's car there, but also her dad's. Here we go, she told herself. Wheather or not her parents were there to ask about her relationship, she was going to tell them anyway. She walked inside and her mom was sitting on the couch while her dad was in the kitchen, getting them both glasses of water. Kat sat in the chair across from the couch.
Kat: Why did you take me out of school?
Her mom sighed as her dad sat down next to her, handing her a glass of water.
Mrs. Montgomery: Is there anything...you want to...tell us?
Her mom took pauses in between words like she rehearsed what she wanted to say so many times but once she did, she couldn't get the words to fit right together. Kat took a huge breath, swallowed, and glaced at the clock above the couch. It always took her a minute to figure out the time on them so she tried to see, taking her time, even though she knew it was around 8:20. When she was done, she looked down. Her parents were staring at her. She didn't know how to say it; she didn't even know if she should. She was stalling and she needed to stop. Her dad cleared his throat.
Kat: I-I'm assuming that you know.
Her voice squeaked on the last word. Neither said anything. Her mom eventually pulled out an envelope from her back pocket and slipped it to Kat. Kat took it, but didn't make any other movements. She knew what was in it. She knew who it came from and she knew that her parents already knew. The truth. She didn't want to see it. She didn't want to read the note that came with it. She didn't want her parents find out this way. She didn't want them to know at all. Quickly, she ran the worst case scenario through her head: Her parents kick her out of the house. That wasn't bad though. She could stay with Ezra. She liked her chances. Slowly, she opened the envelope and reached inside.
Mr. Montgomery: Kat...I need you to tell me if this is real.
She opened the folded papers. The first one was just what she expected: a photo of the two of them last night. It made her sick to think that someone-or, "it" as she liked to call it-was there that night watching her, taking pictures, looking at the pictures after it. She tried to keep her face neutral. Her parents weren't stupid-they would've thrown it away if you couldn't clearly see the faces. But you could see the faces. They weren't completely undressed yet, she was thankful for that. She tried to see if it could look like anyone else but she had been staring at the picture for too long. She folded it up and unfolded the note. She felt her parent's stares burn through her, reading her mind, feeling her anticipation. She read the not once. Then again. She felt her eyes wanting to water and it took all she had to keep them away. A messed this up for her-she was going to have to clean it up her own way. Her heart was racing-her palms sweaty. She read the note one more time. "Now you know why her grades are so high but her decisions not the best. Xoxo -A"
Mr. Montgomery: Who sent this to us? Is this real?
Kat looked up slowly. Her father's voice was more harsh. He was getting impatient. She locked her gaze on her mom-it would be easier if she pretended she was only telling her mother. She folded the paper, keeping her gaze on her mom.
Kat: Yes. It's true.That's me in the picture and that's-
Mrs. Montgomery: We know tho that is.
Her mom closed her eyes. That's what Kat wanted to do too but couldn't. She made the mistake of meeting her father's eyes. He scared her sometimes and he could easily lose his temper. That's what she saw on his face-anger. She couldn't look away though. The more she looked at him, the more she was. She saw hurt on his face, even though he hid it well.
Mr Montgomery: Who sent the picture, Kat?
Her dad drew the words out slowly. Her mom opened her eyes again. She tried and failed to see any emotion on her face. That was a good thing, she told herself. She couldn't tell the truth about who sent it, that was for sure. It wouldn't make sense if it were her or Ezra. To make her story believable she has to make it make sense which gave her few options. She shuffled between a few and decided on "who" sent the picture. She took a deep breath.
Kat: April.