Dodging Disasters ✔

Chapter Three

3. The Mysterious Model

Jason and I storm out of the conference room as fast as we possibly can and find ourselves in the Principal's office, adjacent to it. Mrs Harris is sat behind her desk which is cluttered with loose papers as she hurriedly copies something down onto a sheet, as if from memory. We look at her, sitting comfortably in her cushioned chair as she continues to seem unbothered by the two teenagers staring at her, angrily.

I grab Jason's arm and lead him out because I know he is capable of doing or saying something stupid. And even though I now seem to hate the woman who runs our college, there is nothing I can do about it; neither can he.

"I hate mom as much as you do, Jason, I really do," I whisper as we walk into the corridors where a dozen or so students are now getting their college tours. "But honestly, there's nothing we can do about it. We can't afford to waste time being angry at her, we've got a lot of other things on hand."

As soon as I finish speaking, I hear him sigh which means he is definitely calmer than what he was inside the office. Some of the girls giggle as they walk past us and turn back to get another look at my brother. He seems unbothered by this as if girls giggling and blushing around him was something he was used to dealing with.

"You're right," he says finally as we reach the corridor leading to the girls' dorm. "I don't know why I got so upset. I guess it's because now you're here with me and I just didn't want you to be troubled by her anymore, Mads. You've had enough."

I gulp as a lump forms in my throat. "I know. But I've got you with me now, and there's no way she can affect us while we're here for each other, okay?"

He nods his head and after a moment, he hugs me tight. "I am sorry I went away, Mads. I should never have; I didn't even apologise to you for it. It was a stupid thing to do and to think that you survived all of the bullshit she put you through, on your own, it's unbelievable. I am the worst brother ever. I am so sorry."

"Jason," I say as I wipe a tear that runs down his face. My heart clenches as I watch his strong self, give way to this vulnerable Jason that I'd never imagined I'd see. "Don't apologise, you don't need to. You are the best brother in this whole world, okay? Get that into that thick head of yours. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what you did. It was way worse for you than it was for me and you needed to get out; so you did. You have nothing to apologise for."

He sniffles. "I love you." He kisses my forehead as I smile. 

"I love you, too."

"Well, you should get back to your room before your roommates wonder where you are. I'll see you later, okay? Call me if you need anything."

I nod. "Don't worry, I will. Bye!" I wave as he gives me a curt nod and then walks down the corridor, towards the boys' dorm. 

When I reach my room, I find Kay lying in bed, engrossed in her phone.

Something about the room looks different and I frown as I notice the bright pink stroller bags lined up in front of the third bed. It could only mean one thing--Brianna Thompson was already here. I scan the room but other than those bags, there is no sign of her. 

The thing is, I don't need to worry about Brianna recognising me because no matter how close her mother was to my mom, she had absolutely no idea that Georgia Fray had kids.