Nametags

Chapter 28

   

          After dinner, Mom and Dad came into my room and sat on the bed. I stayed hidden under my sheets. "Cherry, we need to talk." Dad said. The anger still lingered in his voice. "Who is Tony, and is he really your boyfriend?" I shook my head. He wasn't. Anymore. The thought of that made my eyes tear up again. "Then what where your sisters talking about, then?" I could not find an excuse. "I guess they read my diary and found the entry about this boy from- my book." My parents exchanged glances. "We will check your phone, Cherry." I shrugged. I had his name under "Katie". "And What about this "Vent"? What is that about?" I begged myself not to cry. Not in front of my Dad. "I'm sorry. I just needed a place to... be. Just be left alone and private." I glanced to the vent in the corner of the room. "So that is where you have been running off to." Mom nodded. I put my head down. "But I guess it's all ruined, now." They where quiet. "Are you really sick?" Mom asked. I thought a second and nodded. "Yeah. That's why I lost my temper, I think. Because I don't feel good." I refused to meet their eyes. "Well, Honey, that is no justification of your behavior, so you are still grounded, but I'll just mark it off as a warning. Don't ever let it happen again." I nodded. I almost wished for my phone back, but I knew it was no use. They left, and I started to cry. I'd not cried this much my whole life combined.

          When I woke up the next morning, Mom fully intended for me to go to school. But something happened that morning at 5:00 am. Valentina's Dad called. From what I gathered from the chaos of the morning, Valentina's Mom had some sort of huge health issue and was in the ER. Valentina was to come home immediately. As my Mom shoved kids out the door onto the bus, Valentina packed up her belongings and put them in Dad's car. She came to say goodbye, but it was sad. I barely got to hug her goodbye.

           I promised Mom I would go to school tomarrow, since I already missed the bus. She wouldn't hear it. I begged her to not make me go, but she just drove me there in my sweats and hoodie. No makeup, hair not done, eyes puffy from crying. I looked awful. No way I was going in there. No way I was going to face Jadee or Tony. So, I promised my Mom I would check in at the office and go to class, But when I walked in, I went straight to the stage and sat down. I had a few snacks that would have to last me the next 6 hours. Because I was not going to class, I was not going to lunch, and I was absolutely not showing my face. I'd walk home after school, and time it so that I got home at the same time as the bus. I nodded to myself and started eating the Goldfish Crackers I had in my backpack. As the bell rang and the hours passed, I sat there in the dark stage, sulking and crying. When lunch came around, I suddenly realized how hungry I really was. I had scarcely eaten since the morning I found out. That reminds me, I don't think Tony even knows I know. Unless Jadee said something. When would I tell him? Or would he just get the idea? I don't know. I don't know anything! Help!

          When the warning bell rang, I started to pack up to walk home. I put everything in my bag and got up. But when I exited the doors to leave, I heard a familiar voice behind me."Hey, Babe! Oh my gosh, Is that you!? Where where you! I haven't seen you all week!"