It's Complicated

Chapter 16: Official Meeting

More & more parents begin showing up, before we know it everyone is here; it's time for the meeting. I'm nervous. Are they going to mention my name? I can still see Mrs. Jen talking outside with the gym owners & cops, it's all gotten out of hand. Most of my teammates are sitting huddled next to each other, with the exception of a few sitting with their parents.

"I would say good morning parents & students but today has been well, far from it." Coach Kim was terrible at trying to break the ice. She was basically sinking faster than the Titanic. "Today we were informed about an incident that happened off gym grounds, however because it involved two teammates we had to take appropriate measures to protect this person as well as the rest of our team."

"We want to go on & say that this isn't the victims fault, things became aggressive really quickly & we handled it as best as we could."

Mary looked so unsure of herself, I mean she doesn't know what happened & I don't want her to. I don't want the sympathy, doing that only reminds me of how vulnerable I was. It makes me feel too exposed. Plus I've already told enough people, the only person I even owed an explanation to was my mom. I couldn't tell her & I know she'll be crushed when she founds out the truth.

"Olivia, most of you know her as Liv, knew about a pre-planned situation that was going to involve another student from the gym. It was only when things began happening that she tried coming forward, either way it was too late. Because of her knowing & withholding such information we've decided to expel Olivia from the gym for the safety of this student & the others as well."

Phew, I made it through the meeting without any drama. I just want to go to Katie's house & tell her my side, I owed her that much.

"That's a lie! She's only crying victim! She even said it herself, she knew no boy could ever like her! She's pathetic!"

I knew that voice so well. It was Liv, who happened to be standing in the doorway of the viewing room.

"She's always played victim. Ever since Caleb all she does is cry & complain! Everyone caters to her like she's the queen of the gym! I don't get it! Why her? Why not me? Besides, I didn't know, I didn't! I swear!"

I don't know where this came from, I didn't know Liv felt that way. I mean, I knew there were small things she envied of me, but I never would've guessed it was this deep. I can see Katie rolling her eyes at disbelief of what Liv just said.

"Stop lying Liv. I was there that night. You said you were sorry, you said that you never meant it to happen. You're lying to everyone in this gym, but really you're lying to yourself! You're a terrible person for what you did! You know you're guilty, so maybe why don't YOU stop playing victim!"

I've never seen Katie so angry in her life, I reach for her hand & squeeze it. "Thank you", I mouth to her. She squeezes my hand back & nods her head.

"You know Katie, you're just jealous of me because your brother likes me & no one likes you! You're all so pathetic, pathetic! I never want to see you all again!"

Liv went nuts. She always thought Brennan liked her, but he didn't. He liked me & she hated it. I didn't like him that way, he was more of a brother to me & since losing Caleb, I couldn't imagine Brennan as anything more than that.

"Please someone, escort the Rich family to their car. They need to leave this property now."

Sydney's dad gets up & escorts them out of the building. Liv is still screaming at us, while her mom is cursing up a storm. How did this unravel like that? It got so crazy so fast! I'm not even sure if what just happened was real.