I've Got You

Chapter 14

TW*
Homophobia, slurs

"So how was canoeing?" Maddy asks Wanda, cutting the uncomfortable silence that's settled on our table. There's a hint of amusement in her voice.

I can tell she's trying hard not to pick a side. So is Ettie. It's tricky though. I know it is, because Iris still hasn't talked to me all day.

And God I really needed her today.

I glance up at Wanda, who is sitting opposite me next to Ettie. She hasn't eaten much, nor have I. She meets my gaze for a second before we both look back down at our barely touched plates.

"Yeah, I don't know... it was alright." She tries to shrug the question off.

Maddy's smile falters for a second.
"Y/n, you didn't pull an Ettie did you? I saw you guys walking back to camp soaking!" She laughs, turning to me.

"Oh my God! Did you, Y/n/n?!" Ettie chimes in.

"Nah. It um, was an accident." I try.

I hear Iris scoff next to Ettie but I ignore her.

"You must be God-awful canoeists then."

I give Maddy a half laugh for her comment and glance over at Jenna's table.

I make eye contact with her. She was already staring at me, eyes full of hatred and disgust. I'm surprised I don't turn to stone on the spot.

I force my eyes back down to my plate.

I can't take it anymore; Iris, Jenna, Mrs Grey... this whole dinner.

I feel a lump rise in my throat and my eyes become glassy. I need to excuse myself.

"Y/n/n, you okay?"

I barely mumble 'bathroom,' as I rise from my chair and pass a few rows of dining tables.

I enter and close the door, locking it behind me. I try to wipe the tears away but they just won't stop falling.

I can feel my breathing getting shallow and erratic.

Shit I can't breathe.

I rush to the tap and turn it on, splashing cold water on my face. I pause for a second, gripping the sink on either side and watching the water run.

The events of this afternoon consume me.

~

"We heard you guys last night."

I span my head around to see Jenna, Grace and Fuchsia with judgey frowns on their faces.

"Well- we heard what Mrs Grey was saying to you." Grace added to Jenna's comment.

My stomach dropped and I glanced at Wanda, who wore a just as worried look on her face as what I imagined mine to be.

We were sitting on the edge of the lake's jetty. Wanda and I were the last ones to get off our canoes.

Thank God we didn't tip. The water looked fucking freezing. Not to mention it was a brisk 13° out.

There were a couple of hours before lunch so we had decided to just sit and chat there for a while.

Although there wasn't very much talking going on.

I mean- what were we meant to say to each other after what had happened the night before?

"Um... okay? What did you hear?" Wanda asked them. I couldn't seem to get any words out.

We both stood from our spots and faced the girls in front of us. All of the teachers had gone inside at this point.