2:1

Chapter 20 - the head teacher

Juliet / Sophie

When Juliet finally took a seat, Sophie strangely reached out and squeezed her hand. This whole thing was making her feel uneasy and she just wanted to know what was going on.

"We asked your sister in because we just needed to speak about a few things..." Mrs White began as she leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk.

"Okay..." Juliet trailed off as the nerves took over her.

"I know your form teacher spoke about your grades at your parents evening."

Juliet could instantly see where this was going and she now knew why Sophie with giving off the expression she was. She hated things like this because she knew that she was being judged as her guardian due to their circumstances.

"And I am aware that you've still been struggling to keep on top of things." Mrs White continued as she looked over her glasses. "But alongside that I know there has been an issue that seems to have swept your whole year group."

Juliet's heart sunk as the head teacher spoke those words. It was bad enough her year hearing the rumours that Brad had started, she didn't think it would have got back to the teachers.

"Now I don't want to embarrass you but we care as a school to protect our students. We are just a little concerned that you are overly stressed and getting swept up in the wrong direction and making bad choices."

Just like everyone else, Mrs White had believed the rumours. She had been given the message and believed that Juliet had slept with Brad and not only was it completely mortifying having her talk about it, it was also beyond frustrating.

"She's not actually involved in any of that though, I've explained. We don't need to embarrass her more." Sophie but in and Juliet just wanted to be swallowed up by the ground.

She appreciated Mrs White's concern and she appreciated her sister sticking up for her but she didn't want to watch an argument play out between the two of them. Sophie had a fiery mouth when it came to things like this because she cared however, she didn't always deal with it in the best way.

"We just need to be cautious and we can't ignore something like this." Mrs White tried to politely clarifying while also implying that she didn't think it was just a rumour at all.

"It hasn't been ignored. Juliet and I have spoken about it. There isn't a problem here."

"I know this can all seem a lot Sophie..." Mrs White began in her attempt at a soothing voice. "And I appreciate that it can be very difficult for you having all of this responsibility at such a young age which is why we want to help and support you as much as we can."

"I appreciate that but I don't need it. Juliet and I are fine and in the nicest way possible, we don't need people keep sticking their noses in. I understand Juliet's grades need to improve and we're working on that but these rumours are just rumours and have been dealt with. I'm capable of supporting my sister."

Sophie was beyond offended, you could hear it in her voice. She didn't like being looked down on and felt like that was exactly what was happening here.

"It has been dealt with and it was just rumours." Juliet spoke up as she instantly felt the need to defend herself and her sister.

Everyone likes to doubt them whenever something went wrong however, they did actually have things under control most of the time. They had their hiccups and struggles like all families did but because of their situation, everyone liked to blow it out of proportion.

"I don't want to upset either of you." Mrs White spoke softly and in basically a whisper. "But I do want you to know that I can't ignore this. Now I've been told, I have to take action, it's my job."