Runaway - A DEVIL'S NIGHT FANFICTION (PTBR + ENG)

Chapter 42 - Nini

Good evening, everyone.

This week, one of you came to talk to me, and I felt such a good sensation that I found myself thinking that right now, this fanfic is the only thing I've written that brings me some peace.
I imagine you already know, I'm a writer and I have some published books, but since 2022, I haven't been able to see a reason to continue with my original works.
This obviously only worsened with the death of my boyfriend, so this message is basically just another way to thank all of you for the support and understanding you've offered.
Thank you for every comment and every message since I started publishing Runaway. 

Thank you for still being here.

🖤

Nowadays...

I cling to the last bit of self-control I have left as I listen to the principal's sermon, but I refuse to respond. I know that if I do, I won't be able to hold back my tears, so I keep my eyes focused on my injured palms and throbbing fist.

When I hear a knock on the door, I lift my head, expecting to see Emory or Will, but I'm surprised when Banks walks in with an angry expression on her face, and I shrink back in my seat. It was obvious that Mads felt comfortable calling his mom instead of my guardians in a situation like this, and even more obvious that he couldn't see that his mother completely disapproved of me. To her, I was probably an irresponsible teenager who always acted without thinking, and considering the situations we found ourselves in, I couldn't blame her for that.

"Mrs. Mori," the principal greets her. "We weren't expecting—"

"I know, but when my son called me to tell me what happened, I could see that this is not something that should be discussed solely between Nini's guardians and the school, Principal Kincaid," she interrupts, moving to stand behind me. "What's happening concerns the entire community and our country."

I frown and turn to look at her, but she places her hand on my shoulder and continues to focus on the man in front of us, who now wears the same expression I do.

"What do you mean—how so? What exactly concerns the country?" he asks her.

"The judgment that Nini Grayson is facing for being pregnant and the repercussions this is causing, as well as how this is being handled," she states.

The principal walks past us and sits back in his chair, but this time he seems at a loss for words, so Banks continues:

"It's absurd that after all these years, a case like this still happens. Nini is a teenager who, with the support of her family, has decided to carry her pregnancy to term, and because of that, she is being judged, as if she has to choose between continuing her studies or becoming a mother."

My mouth falls open, but I can't speak or add anything, and it's not necessary, because in the following minutes, Banks launches into a monologue, practically giving a lecture about my situation, where I can only observe her poise and the way she expresses herself, which, along with her face, makes Principal Kincaid stutter even as he says goodbye to us, promising that he won't tolerate any form of prejudice regarding my situation and that I will have all the support from the school that I need.

Ignoring completely the two assaults that brought me there.

"Mads has already gone back to class," she comments when she sees me looking for him in the reception area.

"I should probably...," I say, sounding more like a question.

"No, we're going to meet Emmy in Meridian," she announces, guiding me to walk in front of her.