Phoenix is in the In-Between [LGBTQ+ NOVEL]

Letter #20

20.

Dr. Hemsworth,

Daddy is still out of town for the week, but he said that he's coming home early. He's really, really mad. Mom called the school twice since that incident—it's been two days since then. She was shouting at Headmistress Brown over the phone, asking how and why the paparazzi were able to sneak into the school when they claim to be the most secure school in the country. Word about that stupid trick got around fast, and only one newspaper printed out the photo before Daddy's assistants and managers barred anyone from publishing it or talking about it. It was good that that newspaper was a small one, but still.

Now I went from tomboyish first daughter, to that first daughter kissed by Zane Clay in front of a group of paparazzi.

I haven't gone to school ever since, I just can't. Thinking about walking down those halls with everyone staring at me makes me feel sick. The thought of Amelia and other Zane fangirls possibly plotting to kill me makes me hide under the covers even more.

I cried as soon as Mom got in my room that night. She was still wearing a fancy looking white dress for a party, and she still had her perfume on. But even with looking like a rich supermodel, she rushed to my bed and hugged me, letting me cry on her designer dress.

I woke up this morning hoping it was all a dream, but no. Daddy called earlier today and promised me that he would deal with the Clays. Apparently Zane called the paparrazi in himself, promising that they would get some "juicy" pictures of me. Turns out that day when he was missing from the try outs, he was going around with some cronies, dropping letters on tabloid offices to set it all up. I swear, that boy has the mind of the devil. By the way Daddy talked, it looks like the Clays won't be in politics for much longer after this.

Scarlett called as well, asking if I was okay. She said that more than half the girls in our grade are mad with rage that Zane kissed me. She even said that Amelia looked like she would send assassins to murder me in my sleep. I told her that I didn't even want to be kissed, and Scarlett agreed that Zane must have committed a crime by doing that. She asked me when I'll be back, but I had to tell her that I don't even know if I can show my face in that school again.

"But why are you the one suffering? It should be Zane, not you! He went to school today and he's acting like nothing happened at all!" Scarlett exclaimed.

I can't believe it. He was the one who caused all of this, and he doesn't even get punished? Not a single meeting with the headmistress? I punched a pillow in anger after that, wishing it was Zane's ugly face.

I can't stand girls who only talk about boys kissing them, and now I've been kissed by one. No matter how many times I brush my teeth and wipe my mouth, the memory of Zane doing that to me keeps flashing in my mind. It makes me feel panicky and scared.

I really don't know what to do. Dr. Hemsworth, I wish you were here. Maybe you'd know what to do.

From, Phoenix.