The perfect storm in a quiet room

Chapter 21

Math class sucked and what's even worse is that now I have law course which means having to put up with Daniela Salvatierra, which I'm not ready for. I sigh. It looks like today is going to be a... hectic day.

I grab my things and leave the classroom. Where's Casy? She's clearly not in the hallway, and she wasn't in class either, and we're supposed to have math together. She's probably still with... Leo. God just thinking about it gives me chills. It was so horrible what happened this morning that the image of Leo's hands on Casy's body keeps replaying in my mind. That was a rape... God it was a rape... God no, and I saw it. I saw it and I did nothing, nothing to stop it. I didn't call anybody, I didn't look for anybody. I just stood there quietly, contemplating the scene... Oh God.

I run to the ladies' room. I go in and close the door and sigh when I see that no one's there, or so I thought, because right away I hear someone moaning. The sound seems to be coming from a cubicle.

"Tell me I'm the best," says an unmistakable male voice.

There is a brief silence, only sobs and moans can be heard.

"Come on, tell me. Tell me how much you like to do it against the wall of this bathroom, tell me I'm the best. Come on, baby," the voice says again, this time less kind, more rough and severe.

I hear a dull thud and then a moan, no longer of pleasure, but of pain. It's evident that is the moan of a woman who has just been smacked. Unfortunately, I already know who is in that bathroom and again, there's nothing I can do.

"I... I... I like it when you... do it to me. You're... the best," the unmistakable female voice replies, sobbing and clearly in pain. I can't listen to this anymore, I just can't.

I rush out of the bathroom, terrified. They're... and she's... Casy's... Okay, I think I could go crazy at any moment.

What the fuck is going on?! Until yesterday Casy told me that... they were doing it regularly. So why is she suffering now? Why did he pay her before and take her to the bathroom without her consent? Why, why, why, why. I'm sick of this shit, sick of it. I hate not knowing anything about what's going on. God!

I sit on the floor and lean my back against the wall. I cover my face with my hands and the desire to cry gets stronger, but I repress it. I don't want to be seen crying at school because then everyone will start looking at me and that would make me too uncomfortable—I have to keep a low profile. Something I don't struggle with at all, since the only people who talked to me were Casy's three idiot friends and her, of course. The rest didn't give a shit about me.

I get up right away and walk out into the schoolyard. I need to get some fresh air, this is a lot to process. God... she's... in the... and here I am, still doing nothing. I'm so stupid! I scream, not knowing if it was in my head or if I really said it out loud. The little attention I get from the people around me makes me realize that it was only in my head, which is a relief.

The bell announces recess is over and everyone quickly returns to their classrooms. I, on the other hand, take my time and walk slowly, thinking that maybe this way the teacher will delay law class by not seeing me in the classroom, something that clearly is not going to happen.

Again I pass by the restrooms and see Leo and Casy coming out of there. Instinctively, I hide behind a pillar. I see them go ahead and enter a classroom different from mine. Immediately, I come out of my hiding place and go to my classroom.

I sit back down on my seat and wait for the stupid teacher to arrive. As I take out my law notes and my supplies from my backpack, I look at the time on the clock. Eight a.m. It sure is going to be a long-ass day.

***

Luckily, the class wasn't that tedious. Daniela only gave us a couple of exercises and left the room to look for some shit. Then she came back and was silent for the rest of the class. She barely looked at me, which is great, and she didn't even try to talk to me, which is even better.

I put my stuff in my backpack and try to get out of the classroom as fast as I can, praying that now she won't even think to talk to me and ask me how I'm doing. Of course, my prayers were unheard and when I'm very close to the door, a voice calls my name from behind my back. My nightmare comes true.

I turn around and smile the fakest smile.

"Hannah, do you have a minute?" Daniela fucking Salvatierra asks.

I nod and sit down in front of her desk. My good luck couldn't have lasted less.

"Well, don't worry, I won't keep you long. I just want to know how you are, we haven't talked for two days, but well, I just want to know how your things are going," she asks very kindly, smiling.

"Well, my things are going well," I blatantly rant. My things couldn't be worse.

"Are you sure?" She asks without losing her friendly tone.

Doesn't she believe me? What the fuck is wrong with this old woman? My things couldn't be better! It's been three days since my life hasn't stopped taking unexpected turns; I don't understand anything that happens around me because everything is a fucking mystery; I don't have a single fucking friend; a fucking teacher is fucking annoying me; I don't even know what's going on with my friendship or whatever it is with Casy; my mom hides practically a million things from me; something is going on with my dad and I don't know what it is; I can't go home and have nowhere to sleep because I had a fight with my mom and I can't go to Casy's either because, of course, I don't know how our relationship is now. Oh and I almost forgot—I just witnessed a rape. I don't understand why she doesn't believe me, everything is wonderful in my life. Isn't it obvious?

"Yes."

"Okay, well, I'm glad. I just wanted to see how you were doing and—"

"Yeah, well, you can see I'm doing great," I say a little abruptly and get up from my seat. I head for the door and turn my back to her.

"Hannah, wait," she says, grabbing my arm.

God, this shit goes on. Why does she have to bother me so much?

"You can talk to me about anything, Hannah. I'm here to help you, you know that, don't you?" She offers very kindly.

I look at her and it's hard for me to answer her... rudely. Undoubtedly, she's very kind and has good intentions, but I have my own problems and I don't want anyone to meddle in my life. I may sound like an idiot, but it's as simple as that.

"Yeah, sure. Thank you," I say, smiling, and leave before this conversation goes any longer than necessary.

Finally I leave the classroom. My intention is to go to the courtyard, relax and get some air, but of course, life seems to want to make me go crazy today. Because when I leave the classroom I find Leo kissing Dilara in the middle of the hallway. And I don't understand anything anymore, I honestly don't understand anything.