Forlot: A Girl Who Needs Her Space - Book Thirty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Ugh!" Karl covered his ears. "What is that foul noise? Makes me want to lock myself in the restroom!"

Mrs. Anderson picked up her red pen and glared at her only son. "You will do no such thing, mister," she said. "Remember the last time?"

I looked at her. "He has done it before?"

She sighed and played with her pen. "More times than I can count." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "It is from the abuse. He used to barricade himself from his own father. He does not like to admit it, but...he is over the moon to be free from his father."

I adjusted my glasses. "Why does Karl not like to admit it?"

My teacher clicked the pen and jotted something down on a piece of paper. "He is a stubborn boy."

"I can tell."

"In the end of it all, Carmen...Ron is still the father. He remains Karl's biological father."

"Is Ron the name of the dad?"

"Yes. After Ron gets help...if he ever gets help...the first thing that he will want is to see Karl. But he will not go anywhere near him if he has not changed. And when I say changed, I mean...for the better."

Karl pushed past Karma and walked up to my desk. He tugged on the fabric of his shirt and was now breathing heavily. Karma pouted and put her hands on her hips.

"Is that any way to treat a lady?" Karma asked him. "A lady who may be attracted to you."

That confirms it. She has a crush on our teacher's son. I can only wish her the best of luck. I am afraid that he will not share the same feelings.

"You are bluffing," Karl told her. "No girl has ever been attracted to me. And no girl ever will."

Karma scooted over to him. "Now how can you be sure that a girl will never like you? Have you considered all your options?"

"I am surprised that you would mention that."

"And...?"

"And I have. You are not one of them."

"Karl, be nice," Mrs. Anderson warned. "She just wants to be your friend."

"I want to be more than his friend." Karma gave Karl a wink. "So what do you like to do during your free time, Karl?"

Karl was staring intently at my music box as if he were expecting it to move. "Depends on what you do."

Her eyes lit up, and she squealed. "Oh, Karl. I thought that you would never ask."

"Do not get excited, Kayla. You are too young to have a heart attack."

"It is Karma."

"That is what I said."

Her eyes darted to me, and then back at him. I did not have to guess what she was thinking. "What I like - no, love - doing is crafting and making dolls and spreading awareness of—"

He cut her off and picked up the music box. "Whose is this?"

"It is mine, Karl," I confirmed to him as I got out of the seat. "The music box belongs to me." I scurried over to my seat and took the music box. "Thank you for giving back my music box."

"Um, I did not give it back to you...who are you?"

I closed my music box. "My name is Carmen, and I am Karma's one and only best friend."

"I suppose that you want me to give you a medal."

"No medal required. Karma is my reward."

Karma squealed again. "You are mine too, Carmen."

Karl glanced up at the clock. "We have time."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

He looked back at me and grabbed my wrist. "Carmen, we need to go."

I blinked a few times. "Go where?"

"That is for me to know - and for you to find out."

"Can I tag along?" Karma asked with puppy eyes.

"I am sorry, Kayla."

"It is Karma."

"I just said that. Please do not make me look stupid in front of your friend."

"I am not trying to make you look stupid. I—"

He cut her off again. "I am sorry. Actually, I am not. It is for the best that you not attend."

"Attend what?" I demanded. "You still have not told us where we are going." I tried to break free from his grip. "Would you please let go of my wrist?"

"Not until you promise me."

"Promise you what?"

"That you will trust me no matter what. Come with me, Carmen, and trust me."

"Why do you want me to trust you when I hardly know you?"

Karl let out a whoosh of air and ran his fingers through his hair. "For one thing..." He finally released my wrist. "...I am sorry for the way that I have been treating you and Kayla."

"It is Karma," Karma said. "My name is Karma."

He gazed at her. "Did your mom and dad give you that name because you cause bad people to pay?"

"Not literally. By the way, my parents did not come up with the name. That was all me."

"Ah. So what is your real name?"

"That is for me to know..." She smiled and poked Karl's nose. "...and for you to find out."

Mrs. Anderson stood and clapped. "Attention, class. It is time to take your seats and open up your notebooks. Today, we will be discussing how to write an intriguing fanfiction."

Everybody but me and Karl sat down. I walked to Mrs. Anderson and clasped my hands together. She glanced at me and smiled.

"Yes, Carmen?"

"I apologize for asking this, but...may I please go to the restroom?"

"Absolutely." She leaned to the side. "Karl? Would you like to go with Carmen?"

"You want me to use the girls' restroom?"

"I want her to show you where the restrooms are."

Karl and I left the classroom and headed to the nearest bathroom.

What happened next knocked me off my feet.