Muted Echoes

𝓢𝓱𝓮'𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓮, 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓮

(TW: Mention of abuse) (Now for what  you came here for)

I sat in the dimly lit school office, feeling the weight of the plain walls closing in on me.

The sterile smell of disinfectant hung in the air as I nervously tapped my heel on the linoleum floor.

James emerged from the nurse's office, an ice pack pressed against his black eye.

His gaze met mine, and I could see the fear in his good eye as if he half-expected me to lash out at him again.

I offered a small, knowing smile as he settled on the opposite side of the office.

"Laurel? Mr. Anderson is ready to talk to you," the receptionist called out.

I rose from my seat, muttering, "It's Liv." The constant reminder of my old name was wearing me down.

Changing my name seemed to invite unnecessary complications, like James going out of his way to be a jerk he was learning his lesson, though.

Closing the door behind me, I entered Mr. Anderson's office.

"Lau- Liv, I wish you were here in better circumstances," he said with a sympathetic tone.

I slumped into the cushioned chair, feeling the weight of the day's events bearing down on me.

"Yeah, but he did everything he could to make me uncomfortable. He was asking for it!" I exclaimed, frustration evident in my voice.

I had expected Mr. Anderson to understand, to support me. Instead, his response was disappointing.

"I can't treat you differently because of your situation. You should go to the counselors with this stuff, Laurel, not deal with it yourself," he replied, his tone tinged with impatience.

I bristled at his words.

"They won't do anything! For the love of God, don't call me that!" I shot back, feeling the weight of years of struggle and frustration surge within me.

His shocked expression spoke volumes, and I couldn't help but draw parallels between his demeanor and the dismissive nature of my father, whose emotional abuse had haunted me for years.

As Mr. Anderson continued to lecture, I retreated into my thoughts, drowning out his words with the upbeat melody of "Looking Out For You" by Joy Again, a song that seemed to capture my restless energy.

Fidgeting with the belt loops of my dark jeans that I meticulously paired with my favorite boots, a My Chemical Romance shirt, perfect eyeliner, blue eyeshadow, and a black face mask, I struggled to maintain eye contact, a habit ingrained in me to avoid confrontation.

Mr. Anderson's lecture only added to my mounting sense of discomfort.

With a mumbled apology, I gathered my bag and left the office, cursing under my breath at the realization that I hadn't stayed long enough to skip geometry class.

The rest of the day wasn't looking great.

(A/N) Omg thank you for reading this is a part of my grade instead of doing I-Ready so it will be updated weekly! Rn I'm a week ahead btw

(461 words including a/n)