My dad was squeezing his own hand into a fist, really tight, and closing his eyes. I realized he was extremely nervous. I didn't understand why Chad had rushed so much. It hadn't been clear between us that he would talk to my dad so soon. The night before, we were interrupted and never got to finish that conversation.My hands started sweating. Chad and I stared at each other in silence while my dad composed himself.
My dad took a deep breath and said,"My daughter has been here for less than a week, and you two just met. And you already want to date her? What makes you think I would be so negligent as to allow that?"
Chad seemed nervous, but he answered firmly,"I don't think we need a lot of time to realize when we love someone. I want to do things right. I don't want to be just some random guy dating her in secret."
My dad gave a sarcastic smile and said,"I admire your courage, but the answer is no. And if you insist on it, you won't even be allowed to be friends. She is very young, and you two barely know each other."
Chad tried to argue,"But, sir…" He stuttered."No, nothing! Now go home. Tomorrow she has school, and I want to sit on my couch, read a good book while I have my whiskey, and simply forget this conversation ever happened."
I looked at Chad and gestured for him to leave and not make things worse. He then said,"I'm not giving up. Excuse me. Good night, sir."
He looked at me. I think he wanted to hug me, but at that moment my dad cleared his throat, and Chad left.
When he was gone, my dad looked at me in a way I had never seen before."Eat dinner and go to your room. Then we will talk. Tomorrow, when we are alone."
I lowered my head and left.
When I reached the living room, everyone was there, looking at me like we were at a funeral."Good thing Chad left alive. I actually like him," Adam said, trying to lighten the mood.
Emma hugged me and said,"Girl, with time things will get better."
My dad then entered the room and said,"Let's all have dinner."
While we ate, we talked until the atmosphere felt less heavy. After dinner, I said good night to everyone and went to sleep. Emma slept with me in my room.
The next morning, we went to school: Adam, Emma, and me.
When we arrived, Chad was waiting for me.
Adam saw him and said,"Dude, what were you thinking going to talk to Luck? You should've waited!" He laughed. "It's okay… at least your eye isn't black. That's a good sign."
Chad laughed and answered,"Oh sure, like I'm going to listen to your advice. You're head over heels for Emma and you don't even have the guts to hold her hand!"
I looked at both of them as they got embarrassed. Emma then said,"Oh, Chad, leave me out of this. Besides, he's head over heels for Jhenna!"
I didn't understand, and Emma continued,"They're super close. They play online games together, all flirty…"
Adam quickly countered,"Nothing to do with it! We're just friends."
Emma didn't respond and headed to class. I said goodbye to Chad and followed her.
When we entered the classroom, Katty and Wender were already there. Katty gave us a hateful look, but that wasn't what caught my attention. Emma seemed distressed when she saw them, and everyone in the class was laughing at her.
She sat down."Are you okay?" I asked."I think so…" she answered hesitantly.
Adam arrived and sat down too. Then, a boy walked past us and said, laughing,"So, Emma? You're cute… but naked you're even better."
Emma turned pale. She took a deep breath and stared at the boy."What are you talking about, you idiot?"
He laughed and answered,"Those pictures of you in the tent… in your birthday suit."
Furious, Emma stormed up to Wender and shouted,"What did you do?!"
He and Katty laughed."Me? Nothing. Not my fault your nudes leaked…"
Emma shoved him hard."It was you, you jerk! You were the only one there!"
Wender laughed mockingly.Adam immediately jumped up and went at him, punching him. The two rolled on the floor throwing violent punches. I froze. My heart raced, and I started to feel short of breath. Emma cried uncontrollably. Weak, I held her in my arms.
A teacher came running and separated them, but it was already too late. They were both injured. Emma was still sobbing.
"What happened here?!" the teacher demanded.
Katty quickly spoke up,"This crazy guy Adam started hitting Wender out of nowhere!"
I shouted, outraged,"It wasn't out of nowhere! He was extremely disrespectful to Emma!"
The teacher cut me off. At that moment, the principal entered the room."Adam, Wender, Emma, Katty, and Mia, go with the principal," the teacher ordered.
Before leaving, Adam and Wender glared at each other again, but the teacher was firm,"Enough! Now!"
I supported Emma, holding her arm. She was shaking violently.
When we arrived in the principal's office, she said,"I will call each of your parents to resolve this. This kind of situation is unacceptable."
She made the calls, and we waited for almost forty minutes. My dad and Ruth were the first to arrive. Then came Katty's mom, a woman who seemed just as shallow as her daughter. Wender's father and a representative for Emma's parents arrived almost at the same time.
Everyone sat down, and the principal started talking about the fight. Katty and Wender tried to deny any responsibility.
I looked at Emma and whispered,"Friend, you'll have to tell the whole story. If not, we'll get nowhere. I'm here with you."
Emma squeezed my hand tightly.
Adam said firmly,"I only defended Emma and I'd do it again. But next time, he won't live!"
Wender's father got worked up,"Are you threatening my son? I'm calling the police!"
Emma then yelled,"If anyone is calling the police, it's me! Now I will tell what really happened."
"My parents have a house by the lake, next to Wender's family. At the beginning of summer vacation, right after we got back from London, we went there. One night, the teenagers in the area decided to camp by the lake. There was a bonfire, and we were roasting marshmallows. Wender came to me. He was nice and offered me alcohol. I refused, saying I didn't drink. He laughed and said I was lame. I ended up drinking a bit. After that, I was out of it, feeling light, and I went to the cabin to sleep. I only remember waking up the next day in my cabin without my clothes."
Everyone was stunned. Adam stood up, furious, ready to punch Wender again, who, like a coward, continued denying everything.
The principal spoke up,"This is very serious."
Emma continued,"Now they're saying there are pictures of me in that cabin going around. Who took them?"
Katty then said,"Emma, that's not you in the pictures. It's a fake."
She took out her phone and showed them. It was indeed a very poorly made montage.
Emma took a relieved breath.
My dad, however, was firm,"But there was abuse against a minor. Or at least an attempt. I'm calling the police."
Emma grabbed my dad's arm and said,"I have no proof…"
Wender's father interrupted,"Let's keep the police out of this. It will be a huge bureaucracy and a waste of time."
Emma took a deep breath, clearly shaken."I need to think… I'm overwhelmed."
The principal then said,"Since this did not happen on school grounds, you should resolve this outside, please."
My dad laughed like he was thinking, "You're going to wash your hands just like that?"
She continued,"But we will address what happened here. Let me be clear: anyone who shares that montage and I find out will be suspended."
The principal looked at me and Katty,"Mia and Katty, you were only witnesses. You may return to classes normally."
Then she turned to Emma,"You will talk to the school psychologist now."
Finally, she looked at Wender,"You are suspended until Friday. One more suspension and you will be expelled from school."
Outraged, I spoke up,"But he's the one who made the montage!"
The principal interrupted me,"There is no proof, Mia. Do not interrupt me again."
Then she looked at Adam and said in a serious tone,"As for you… You are a scholarship student and you know the rules well. Unfortunately, physical aggression results in expulsion for scholarship students. You are expelled from school, Adam."
Silence took over the room. Mrs. Ruth put her hand over her mouth, shocked.
Wender laughed sarcastically.
My eyes filled with tears. My shortness of breath returned. I didn't want Adam to be expelled.