Preston Greens

27. Where's Vicky?

I dropped my backpack and schoolbooks onto the floor. They really felt heavier today, but my heart felt pretty light. I went to the cupboard and got some crackers out, and started to eat. Mom was in her room, getting some books to read off from her bookshelf. She walked out to see me eating the crackers and drinking my water, looking over my science textbook. 

"How was school today? You didn't speak the whole car ride." She said, opening the fridge. 

"Well, I feel really bad." I said, my eyes wandering around the kitchen, not focusing on my homework. 

"Why sweetheart?" She asked, her head still submerged into the fridge. 

"Vicky wasn't at school today, and there's been word going around that she's either suspended or expelled." I said with dullness in my voice. 

My heart felt happy that she was possibly gone, but then I felt bad for her. I didn't mean to get her kicked out of school, just wanted to make a point. I keep on trying to tell myself that I wasn't the only one being bullied, and that everybody else was happy to express their thoughts about her without her around. I knew the best thing to do in this situation was to keep my mouth shut and blend in. 

"Wow, you sure have stirred up somethin' haven't you, hon?" Mom said, now standing by the microwave, waiting for her food to heat up. 

"I know. I've never gotten this much attention; I mean, first the haunted house, then the news, and then this! I wish I didn't have all this attention! I'm so stressed out." I said, getting ready to pull some hair out. 

Mom put her hand on my hand, which was grasping a big chunk of hair. 

"Sweet, there's no need to be this stressed. I know you feel bad about this Vicky thing, and I know you're a good person and that you'd never do that just to get her expelled, but I'm teaching you to be civilized- you can't solve life's problems with violence. Don't think too much!" She said, pulling my hand away from my hair. She kissed my forehead and got her food out of the microwave.

 I felt like falling out of my barstool, just realizing what she said. I really shouldn't be this hard on myself, and I knew that I'm not mean; if I was telling everyone how terrible she is, I would be mean, but I didn't do that, and that goes to show I'm not mean. I can imagine telling my friends how she can get on my pet peeves, but not the public. At least I know how to maintain my inner good person. I thought about that some more and my heart didn't feel as heavy. I knew that letting it out to someone would make me feel better, but I've been closed up all day, and my friends noticed it.

 Since I was in a better mood, I finished my homework and got up and grabbed my phone. I decided to call Lisa first, since she was my best friend. Then I would call Belinda, then Charlie. I also meant to call Kim, since wanted to know how the whole dance went, and I was ready to talk to everyone. 

"Hey Carly! What's up?" Lisa said. 

"Hey, I'm sorry for being drab today, but you know we all have those days. What did you want to talk about today?" I asked her.

 I felt my mood getting better by the second.

 "Well, I knew why you felt bad the moment you walked into the lunchroom." Lisa mumbled. 

"Well, go on." I said.

 "I thought, she either got in trouble yesterday, or the gossip was making her feel bad." Lisa continued, not wanting any interruptions. "I knew you didn't want to talk, and then I knew it must have been both. I'm so sorry that happened to you pal, I'm pretty sure the gossip didn't help, so I knew not to rub it in. Apparently everyone else noticed, so we had a silence lunch today. That goes to show, Carly, that you are very vital to our group. Your feelings are contagious, and you affect us all." Lisa said, knowing she had set an idea in my head.