A Touch of Sunshine (gxg)

Part 25

It was arranged for me to live in a solo dorm for the last month of the school year. I was fine with that. It was a small room, but I had a bed and a roof over my head.

I was lucky to have that after being kicked out of my home.

I had missed Ellie a lot the week that I wasn't at school. I decided to show up to her room early Monday morning and have us walk to class together.

20 minutes before our first class began, I went to her room and lightly knocked on her door.

A moment later she swung the door open.

"I was hoping it would be you!" she said, pulling me in for a hug. She squeezed me tight, like she hadn't seen me in a year, not just a week. When we pulled away she looked more serious.

"Are you alright?" she asked me, "I know that you were asked to leave the castle. I'm not speaking to anyone in the family right now by the way. I'm livid."

"Ellie, you don't have to end your relationships in the family because of me." I said.

"I can't see them without feeling like I want to scream at them for how they've treated you, so yes. For now, I am not speaking to any of them. Even my own mother." Ellie said.

"How did Aunt Annika react?" I asked, bracing myself for the answer.

"Not as bad as your mother, but still bothered." Ellie said.

Helena then came up behind Ellie.

"I wanted to give you two a moment alone, but I'm really glad to see you, Lucy." Helena smiled at me, and then gave me a hug.

"I know Leisha will be happy to see you as well." Ellie said.

"Anna and I made up last Friday. I hope she will give me a warm greeting." I said.

Ellie and Helena glanced at each other. Ellie then said, "Anna has been weird this week. Anytime we bring you up she changes the subject. She's pretty obvious about it as well. Being subtle isn't her strong suit."

A chill then went down my spine.

Anna knew about Valerie and I. Did she...tell Headley?

I decided to keep that thought to myself, until on my walk to class, Valerie pulled me to the side.

"We don't have to hide behind bushes anymore." I said to her.

"I know." Valerie said, "It's still a habit though to bring you into a secret spot. I wanted to tell you something though that I find odd. My father called me this morning and told me that Anna's mother quit her housekeeping job."

It gets weirder.

"I was going to tell you that Ellie said that she's been acting odd all week as well." I said. "Do you think Anna told Headley about us?"

"I think so." Valerie said, "I'm going to find her on campus today and confront her."

"How about you let me do it?" I said to Valerie.

"That's probably better." Valerie said, "She may not tell me if I come across too angry. Which I am."

"I'll talk to her calmly." I said, "I know we have to go to class in a moment- but I haven't even thought about what I am going to do when I see Headley."

"I don't even want to think about that." Valerie sighed, "Let's take it as it comes."

"Just don't punch her again." I said, and Valerie smiled at me.

"I'll try not to." she said.

I made it through my classes until lunch without any problems. Some extra stares, yes. As well as some whispers.