"I... I... I can explain," Chad stammered.
At that moment, my father looked at him deeply, as if to say, "You must."
"My stepmother set it all up! She hates me. It was a day when I had an argument with my father, after visiting him and my stepmother. I was so nervous that I walked back home. The next day, police arrived at my house in the morning, saying that someone had set fire to my father's house and that they found my wallet near the gasoline can. I... I don't know how it got there, but it wasn't me! I'm sure she set me up. My father didn't press charges against me, but still, everyone sees me as guilty. Except my mother and siblings... They believe me, they know me."
I held Chad's hand. I wanted to show him that I believed him.
"You better go, it's late," my father said. "As for this story, time will reveal the truth."
Chad nodded, said goodnight to everyone, and left.
Soon after, the atmosphere became heavy. I went to my room to sleep, thinking about everything—how Chad had been wronged and how horrible Brandon was for exposing everything.
The next morning, Emma and I went to school. It was a strange week, everything returning to its place, Chad and I having to suppress our feelings. But for us, we belonged to each other. We just couldn't show affection because my father wouldn't allow us to date.
Friday night, I went to my psychologist. Abigail accompanied me again. I told Montgomery everything that had happened in the past few days, but she seemed only interested in my "non-relationship" with Chad.
"Mia, dear, it's important to distance yourself from toxic people. These relationships can cause many emotional problems. This Chad seems emotionally unstable. On the other hand, Brandon seems to want your well-being more."
While Mrs. Montgomery said this absurdity, the session finally ended. I said goodbye and left, trying to process everything she had said. She wasn't impartial about my love life, which confused me. But I was certain she was wrong. Chad was not toxic. On the contrary, he was sweet, kind, and loving.
During Friday night, I played charades with Adam and Pitter in my room. They felt like my brothers, and that's exactly how I felt about them. Pitter was doing so well that he didn't even seem like the same boy who had been using drugs days before.
While we played, Adam's phone rang. It was Jhenna. When he hung up, Pitter said, "Ah, if Emma knew..."
Adam swallowed hard and replied, "I don't know... I'll have to distance myself from Jhenna. She's a nice girl, but I think Emma is right. She seems to want more than just friendship."
I agreed. After all, Adam was now Emma's boyfriend. He had to be honest with her.
"And you, Pitter? Don't you like any girls?" I asked.
"No. I've never really thought about it," he replied.
Adam then said, "Ah, I'll push Jhenna your way then!" and laughed.
Pitter shook his head. "I don't like rich-girl types."
I smiled. "Do you think I'm a rich-girl type too?"
Pitter looked around my room and laughed. "But you're cool. If you weren't Chad's girlfriend, maybe I'd give you a chance."
We all burst out laughing. I threw a pillow at him.
"I'm joking! You're like a little sister," he said.
"Emma is more my type," he added, laughing.
Adam then frowned. "Lucky for you that leg is hurt, otherwise I'd break you."
We spent some more time chatting before going to sleep. Alone in my room, I called Chad. We talked until I fell asleep.
The next morning, Adam was already copying the week's notes when I woke up. Pitter was removing his bandages. I helped him, and then we went to have breakfast.
"Pitter, do you want to go to the pool with me?" I asked.
He hesitated but eventually agreed. While we were at the pool, Jhenna arrived. Remembering that Adam had said she and Pitter might have something, I invited her to swim with us. She agreed. But to my misfortune, she pulled Adam into the pool. He, who had been quietly writing at the garden table, joined us. We played around.
Jhenna jumped into the pool fully clothed. She was so funny.
"Get down, Adam," she said.
When Adam crouched, she climbed onto his shoulders.
"Mia, do the same with Pitter! Let's see which pair falls first!" Jhenna said.
I did the same. While we were distracted, I heard Emma's voice.
"Cool! Didn't even invite me to the after-party," she said, clapping her hands.
I turned to see her standing next to Chad. He didn't speak for the first few seconds.
"Hi, guys," I said.
Chad remained silent, staring at Pitter and me.
"Is it okay for you to have my girlfriend perched on your shoulders, Pitter?"
The atmosphere grew tense. I got off. Jhenna stayed on Adam's shoulders.
"Chad, I have no patience for childishness. We're just having fun," Pitter said.
"I see," Chad replied.
Pitter got out of the pool, upset. Chad said, "Never approach her like that again."
Pitter stepped closer and pushed Chad. "What's your problem? She's like a sister to me! Get a grip, man! Go get help!"
Chad pushed back. We all rushed to separate them, trying to avoid a fight. Mrs. Ruth and Abigail joined us. Jhenna held Pitter's arm. "Calm down, don't fall into his trap," she said.
Pitter left and put his clothes on over his wet body.
"Stay away from her, you idiot!" Chad shouted.
I yelled at Chad, "Go away! Enough already!"
Emma said, "Calm down, Chad. You're upset. Let's go, you can talk later."
Pitter, still angry, said, "No! He's crazy! A maniac!"
Chad tried to approach Pitter again, but we held him back. Pitter walked toward the street.
"I'm leaving! I don't belong here!"
We tried to stop him, but he left.
"Where are you going, son?" Mrs. Ruth asked.
"Home!" he yelled.
Seeing the situation, Jhenna went after him. Mrs. Ruth started crying.
"I know what he's going to do."
We tried to console her. Adam looked at Chad and said, "Man, get out of my way, please."
Emma took Chad's hand. "Let's go."
Chad's expression was full of guilt. He realized what he had done. Abigail called my father. He arrived in about thirty minutes. We started looking for Pitter, but found nothing. That's how the entire weekend went. Everyone was anxious. Unlike what he said, he wasn't home. Chad helped look for him.
We were all in the living room waiting for news. It was almost 7 PM on Sunday when Chad and Emma returned with Pitter at the door. He looked disoriented, dirty, and bruised. His eyes were distant. He didn't seem like the same Pitter from 48 hours ago. When Mrs. Ruth saw him, she hugged him and cried. Emma hugged Pitter. Chad looked at me and tried to come closer. I stepped back.
My father, who already knew everything, said, "Go home, Chad. Thank you for finding him."
Chad looked at Mrs. Ruth. "Forgive me. It's my fault."
Mrs. Ruth let go of Pitter, held Chad's hand, and said, "Don't worry. We've all been blamed for his crises. Actually, it's just an excuse for him to use drugs."
Chad left. My father held Ruth's shoulder. "Can I do what we discussed?"
She started crying and nodded. My father said, "Adam, help me get him in the car."
Adam obeyed, though he didn't fully understand. Pitter resisted and yelled, "Mom, help me! Mia, don't let them take me, please!"
As his screams faded, I cried with Ruth. Adam returned alone.
"Mom, where is Mr. Luck taking him?"
"To a rehabilitation clinic," she replied.
"But he won't stay," Adam said.
"He will. Mr. Luck made him sign a form authorizing admission if he used drugs again."
I remembered the form my father made him sign. Adam, Abigail, and I tried to calm Ruth. I went to sleep. My father hadn't returned yet.
It was a cold, long night. I barely slept. How can I know Adam and his family for so little time and already love them so much? My heart raced. I just wanted to know how Pitter was. And Chad? Why did he act that way? Could Mrs. Montgomery be right when she says he might be toxic?
One thing I'm sure of: I need to talk to him.