After Adam left the room, I kept thinking about how I would tell Chad that Brandon was spending the holiday so close to me.I ended up falling asleep, and when I woke up, I was already a little late. I ran, grabbed an apple, and got in the car Adam was already there.
When I saw Chad at the school gate, I ran toward him. Before I reached him, Katty walked up to him. I stopped and watched from afar. When he finally managed to walk away and came to me, I asked:
"She's hitting on you, isn't she?"
He nodded.
"But don't worry. She just wants to hurt you, Mia."
I agreed. The bell rang, and I went in. Class was a drag it felt like it would never end.
When it was finally over, Abigail was waiting for me so we could go to the psychologist. Adam came with us too. The appointment with Mrs. Montgomery was calm, and I ended up telling her a lot.
"Mia, this Chad boy is terrible. You should break up with him," she said, looking into my eyes.
"No. I love him," I replied.
"Have you two…?" she asked.
"No. Yesterday, at his house, almost. But we stopped ourselves."
"Hmm… that's not good. As your psychologist, I can see he's a troubled boy. But there's nothing I can do."I stared at her, and she noticed my discomfort. "And don't worry, everything here is confidential."
I breathed in relief.
We went home. At night, as usual, Will went to play video games with Adam they were in a tournament. We were distracted when my father walked in holding a piece of paper. He looked serious. He stared at me and said:
"Mia, what is this nonsense that was in the mailbox?"
We all stayed silent.
"Mia, this is an anonymous note saying you slept with Chad yesterday. Weren't you at school?"
"Dad, that's a lie…"
He grabbed my arm and shook me. I started crying. Abigail and Ruth rushed in, startled.
"Luck, stop! You're hurting her," Abigail said.
He finally let go of me.
"I'm checking your attendance right now. If you skipped school, Mia…" He clenched his hands and pressed them against his forehead. He looked furious.
He started toward his office. Desperate, I yelled:
"I skipped! And it was to be with him! But we didn't do anything!"
He exploded.
"You two are NOT allowed to date!"
Out of nowhere, Will fired back:
"Why not, then? Explain!"
My father turned to him, shocked by his boldness.
"What's the secret you and my mom are keeping about Chad? From us?"
My father called the driver. He walked in.
"Take him home."
Will obeyed, following the driver. Even so young, he was brave. Determined.
"Let's go to the office," my father said, pulling me by the arm.
He slammed the door shut as soon as we entered.
"Mia, either you call him and break up right now, or I'll pull you out of school and send you to a boarding school."
"No. No, absolutely not! I love Chad! If you force me to break up with him, I'll move in with Mom!" I shouted.
"Mia, don't challenge me!"
At that moment, Abigail walked in and hugged me. My father took a deep breath when he saw her.
"Luck, that's enough. Don't yell at her like that," she said.
She lifted my chin. I was crying nonstop.
"Mia, sweetheart… your father has his reasons. And they're serious. Believe me—it's what's best for both of you."
I stared at Abigail's face for a moment, frozen.
"Dad… what are you and Mrs. Hanna hiding from us?" I asked.
My father's eyes widened.
"Mia… my God, just listen to me. We don't need to explain anything. You're too young, and that's it." He sat in the office chair, lowered his head, and rubbed his face harshly. A tear rolled down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly. "Mia… I thought it was just a teenage crush, but you two had sex. You're only sixteen, Mia that's unacceptable."
"Luck, please…" Abigail tried to say.
"Abigail." He raised his hand, and she stopped.
My father came closer.
"Mia, for now, that's all. The less you know, the better. Trust me."
He picked up my phone and put it in my hand.
"Call him. Now."
I didn't move.
"NOW!"
I jumped. He had never yelled at me like that. Abigail gave me a small nod, urging me to do it.
I picked up my phone and called. Chad answered with his usual sweet voice.
"Hey, beautiful…"
"Chad… we can't date anymore. We're done."
He tried to ask something, but I didn't let him. I hung up. I cried for several minutes. My father wouldn't even look at me. Abigail held me close.
When I left the office, Adam hugged me.
"Let's go to your room. You need to rest," Adam said.
Before I went upstairs, my father warned:
"Mia… if I find out you even spoke to him, I'll put you in a boarding school immediately."
When I got to my room, I lay down. Adam stroked my hair while I tried to understand my father's drastic attitude. Who had left that note in the mailbox? Then something crossed my mind—Will had been at my house. Could it have been him? But why would he do that?
My mind wouldn't stop. I always knew my father would be upset when he found out about me and Chad, but he was furious on a level completely out of the ordinary…