𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

Nineteen

I've never been in a worse situation. I'm sitting next to my parents and sitting across from Odette—my three least favorite people.

When my parents saw me this morning they pretty much looked like they were ready to commit axe murder—and honestly for once I don't blame them.

Still, I sit in my chair with my arms crossed like a brat and stare at a wall, listening to the clock tick-tock.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick tock.

"You are not legally allowed to do this without our permission, you know," my mom breaks the silence.

I fidget with my hands, tearing skin.

"Don't worry about the law, Padma," Odette assures. "We can't get in any trouble for this."

My mother huffs and crosses her arms like a child. "Why is this even happening? Why our child out of everyone?"

I've been asking that since I got here.

"She's staying here whether you like it or not," Odette insists. "I didn't bring you here to fight. I'm just making sure you know your daughter is safe. You can have access to her as you please as long as it doesn't influence her schedule or school events."

"What?" I sit up in my seat at the sound of that. "Shouldn't I have a say in this?" I don't want them here. I don't even wanna be here.

"Just be quiet, Amie," my dad chimes in, giving me a look. "You've done enough."

"How is this my fault?"

"Calm down," Odette orders, pushing up her sleeves.

I fall back in my seat, crossing my arms like a child.

"You two can go now, we've discussed everything necessary."

"We're taking her back with us," my mom tells her. "You can't expect us to leave her here unsupervised."

"She's perfectly safe with us," the owner of the school assures. "I'll give you updates whenever I have the chance. I already have your number."

"But—"

"Frank!"

A big guy with a mustache and too much hair bursts into the room and grabs my mom and dad by their elbows, dragging them out. My mom is screaming about the law while my dad is hilariously failing at getting out of Frank's grip.

"Amie."

I turn my head around to face Odette—who I'm never telling her anything ever again after this stunt.

"Get the fuck away from me," I get out of my chair and rush out of her office.

I have to find a way out of Lille.