Thin As Water

29.

Lil tapped her foot nervously as she waited to see the headmistress. The woman had been gone at a meeting earlier, and had left the badge in the office for Lil to collect from the secretary, but now she had returned and Lil had been summoned to see her. I wonder what she wants?

The door behind her swung open and the headmistress entered the office. "Hello, Ms. VanGrayson."

"Hello, Headmistress. You wanted to see me?" Lil gulped.

"Yes, I did. You may sit down if you'd like."

Lil sat in the chair in front of the desk. The headmistress sat in her own chair, then leaned forward to look Lil in the eyes. "Lilian, I'm so sorry."

Lil's eyebrows shot up. She called me Lilian!

The Headmistress smiled slightly at Lil's surprised expression. "There are two things I would like to address. Firstly, why did you lie to me?"

Lil shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I knew Christina was lying but I wasn't sure how to prove it because I didn't know where she got the bruise. Taking responsibility for it seemed to be the easiest way."

"That was very noble of you. I apologize for punishing you. You didn't deserve it."

Yes, I did. For what I did to Daisy.

"Thank you, ma'am." Lil said aloud.

"Secondly, I have been informed of you current situation with your home."

Lil involuntarily shuddered.

"Firstly, please know that your situation will be kept in confidence by the staff. Secondly, we have therapists here who would be happy to meet with you to help you move forward. Thirdly," the headmistress pushed a stray hair away from her forehead. "I must offer my sincerest apologies."

"For why, ma'am?"

"I received a tip a few years ago that your home life may not be safe. I looked into it as promised, but it clearly was not thorough enough. I apologize that I did not take firm enough measures to make certain that you and your brother were doing alright."

Hazel.

"It's alright, ma'am. We tried our best to hide it, anyway." Lil forced a smile.

The headmistress' face softened. "You have been an excellent head girl this year, Lilian. I am glad that you are continuing in this role."

Lil's smile became less forced. "Thank you, headmistress."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lilian."

Lil turned to see her brother walking towards her. "What is it?"

"What time are you off duty today?" 

"4:30, why?"

"Good. Dad's coming to pick us up. He wants to talk to us."

Lil smiled. "I'll be ready. Thanks, Jamie."

James smiled back, then froze. Lil glanced behind her to see Hazel and Raven staring back. Hazel backed up slowly and seemed about to leave when suddenly James stepped forward.

"Jamison, may I speak with you?"

Hazel tilted her jaw up slightly. "Why?"

"I have something that I wish to say."

Hazel sneered. "Is it anything like the last thing you said?"

James flushed slightly. "Quite the opposite, actually."

Hazel looked surprised, then nodded. The two walked over to an alcove and began speaking quietly. Lil turned to Raven, who seemed bemused.

"You know what this is about?"

Lil shrugged. "No idea. Congratulations, by the way. I hope you and Hazel will be very happy."

Raven grinned. "Thanks. You should've heard Hazel when she came back after talking to you guys, she was thrilled that you took it so well."

Lil smiled back. "Of course, what were we supposed to do, yell at her or something?"

Raven shrugged. "You know how she can be sometimes. She worries about what might happen even if it's unlikely. But I am really glad to have you and Daisy's support. We respect your opinions a lot, you know."

Lil grinned. "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

Hazel returned to the group just then, looking rather at a loss for words. James walked past and gently squeezed Lil's shoulder. "See you at 4:30, Lily."

"Ok, what was all that about?" Raven asked as soon as James was out of earshot.

"He apologized."

"What?"

"For what he said to me about us. Actually genuinely apologized and asked me to relay the message to you as well. I think he's a bit scared of you, not gonna lie."

Raven smirked. "As he should be. But that's surprising."

Lil smiled gently. He's getting better. He'll be ok.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daisy looked up as Lil entered their dorm room later that night. "Hey Lil, how was dinner with your dad?"

Lil smiled. "It was really nice! I have news."

"What is it?"

"We're moving."

Daisy paled slightly. "Where? You're...you'll still come here, right?"

Lil grinned. "Don't worry. We're actually moving closer to the school. Dad doesn't want us to have to stay in that house with all the bad memories. But because he has custody, we'll actually be allowed to have people over now! And I'll live a lot closer to you and Hazel!"

Daisy jumped up and hugged Lil tightly. "Aww Lil, that's great! We can hang out over Christmas break!"

"I know! So I was thinking, maybe I could host a Christmas party."

Daisy grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Lil smirked. "So you'll help me plan it, then?"

"I was hoping you'd say that too!"

Lil laughed. "Ok, who should we invite? Definitely Hazel, should we ask Raven too?"

"Sure, I bet she'd want to come."

"Maybe we should ask Skie too then."

"Sounds good. Anyone else?"

Lil spoke carefully. "Do you maybe want to invite Tatum?"

Daisy grinned. "Really?"

"Yeah, as long as she promises to have a filter. Do you think it's a good idea?"

Daisy looked serious. "I think that you two could honestly be great friends. You have a lot of traits in common that I've noticed. You both have a lot of drive and determination, I really do think you would get along."

Lil smiled. "I trust your judgment."

"Thank you." Daisy returned the smile.

"No, thank you. For everything."

AN: One chapter left guys!!! I know that I usually end things at the end of the year, but we're gonna switch it up and end it on a christmas party :D Though I might add an epilogue, who knows

Thank you all so much for sticking with this book. I know I took a *lot* of breaks for writers block and other things, but y'all are still here and that means the world.

Please leave a comment! And keep an eye out for the big finale!