Dear Principal

Chapter 15

There's something dreadful about choosing. It's like being pulled by the arms in two different directions, tearing at your limbs until you give in. And the decision made determines whether you're in shit or not. Whether you lose both arms or keep them but still have consequences. I loathe this feeling.

After telling Jo I wouldn't see Haden, something inside me came to light. What if he does this to other people? And what if something terrible happened to these people? These questions torment me. They guilt me into thinking I may be putting others in danger. Everything seemed darker than they initially did, and I felt responsible, like I was obligated to do something.

Since today is Wednesday, halfway through making my decision, it would be great to start with the pros and cons. I wrote things down on paper and buried them in my pocket each time Jo would pass by. It's difficult being sneaky around Jo. His sixth sense kicks in, and he immediately knows something fishy is happening, but I keep going. There were mostly cons written on the paper, but regardless I needed to figure this out. I knew if I continued writing, something good would come out of this, even if it was me having to face Haden.

"Oliver, you're acting weird," Jo muttered across the kitchen.

I mimicked his words and rolled my eyes, neatly folding the paper into a pocket size before putting it in my pocket. Jo glared in the distance with his eyes squinted, looking at me with a scolding expression.

"I'm sorry, Jo. I don't mean to be a jackass." I rubbed my face, "I'm just having a hard time. I don't want to see Haden, but I need to."

Jo seemingly tensed as he stood frozen at the end of the kitchen island. He said nothing but stared at me with a dark gaze. There was something in his eyes that screamed hatred.

"I know what it looks like, but if I don't face Haden, he will keep doing this to others. Look, he deleted his website a day after he cheated on me. That says a lot! He's up to something, Jo, and I will figure it out." My words sounded encouraging, but to Jo, they were my sign-off for a death trial, "Haden has been fucking weird since the day I walked into his office, and he told me he was Hellion King, and when I asked him why he became a porn star, he said it was for fun. A rich man will not build a website for junky shit unless he's doing something fucking weird! And I think that that weird thing is kidnapping people and selling them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but everything that happened these past months led to this conclusion. And no, I don't watch too much CSI!" I inhaled. Jo nodded, following what I was saying.

Jo shifted and walked closer to the table, his hands gripping the back of the chair. His eyes tore into mine, and I could sense the discomfort and venom. I remained silent until Jo said something, not wanting to rock the boat more than I'd already had.

I don't want to put Jo in danger, but if this helps me or even someone else, I'll do it. I will expose Haden for what he truly is. How I was going to do that, I didn't know. But what I do know is that it will happen.

"I understand your frustrations," Jo calmly said, a shaky tone rasping, "but if you put yourself in danger-."

"If I put myself in danger!?" I cut Jo off, abruptly standing and knocking the chair back, "Jo, this isn't about me. This is about the people he's hurt before and after me!" I yelled, "I just want him to get what he deserves. A taste of his own medicine!"

"But is it really worth it, Oliver?" Jo fought back, slamming his hand down on the chair, "If he hurts you- when he hurts you, what will I do?"

I flushed, my face cold as I thought of Jo without me if Haden were to do something. I balled my hands on each side of me, biting my lip as my brows knitted. I couldn't deny that Jo was right. How could I have been so selfish and unaware that what I'd thought of doing could hurt others? I brushed a hand through my hair and closed my eyes, profoundly sighing. Seeing Jo angry sent an adrenaline rush to my head like a warning sign.