B I T T E R

C H A P T E R SEVENTEEN

Havoc was waiting for us outside of the office doors.

"Deny everything." I whispered to her. We entered the office and the secretary sent us to the principal's office.

"Ladies, take a seat." Mr. Rudder said. We sat in the four chairs in front of his desk.

"I like your tie, Mr. Rudder." I smiled, trying to butter him up.

"Thanks, Char. But, I called you ladies down here because I know I saw the four of you walk in this morning and then each of you were marked late on the attendance. Skipping is punishable by detention here." He took his glasses off and folded his hands on his desk, a typical principal move.

My heart beat returned to normal. People got in trouble for skipping all the time and I thought we were called down here for worse.

"Oh, sir, so here's what happened. I was feeling very upset this morning because of personal events that have recently happened in my life. My best friends here were trying to console me. It is my fault they were late. If anyone should be punished here, it's me." I explained. Of all the times they had my back this year, I finally could have theirs.

Mr. Rudder was about to say something, but his door burst open. The girls and I turned to see what had interrupted us. Caitlyn stood in the doorway with a twisted nose and black eye. She was here to snitch and I knew it.

"No!" I mouthed. She stared at me with an expression I couldn't make out. It was like regret mixed with disappointment and fear.

"What is it? What's happened? Are you alright?" Mr. Rudder asked. He popped up from his seat.

"Mr. Rudder, I...,"

"What? Did someone hurt you?"

"I just... fell down the stairs again." She sighed in defeat. I smirked to myself. She was officially afraid of me.

"Caitlyn, that can't be true. If someone is bothering you, you need to let me know. This school protects its students."

"No one is bothering me. I just need the nurse. I'm sorry for bothering you." She turned and left.

"Caitlyn! Caitlyn!" he ran after her.

The four of us sat in the empty office. I started to laugh subtly until I couldn't contain myself anymore. Soon, all of us were laughing discreetly.

Mr. Rudder returned and we quickly became quiet.

"Mr. Rudder, I can talk to Caitlyn and try to find out what's going on. She'd probably be more open with me than you." I said sweetly.

"Thank you, Charlotte. I think she really needs a friend right now." Mr. Rudder smiled sincerely.

"I know what it's like to feel down. It's horrible. I wouldn't want her to feel that way."

"You know what? I've never had a problem with you girls before. I will excuse you all just this once. Go on to class." He dismissed us.

Once we left from the office, we smiled.

"Why are we just so bad?" Spencer asked. She was enjoying it all.

"Do we ever have a boring year?" I joked.

"You know what? I'm throwing a party on Friday. This is means for celebration. Tell everyone." Riley announced.

We talked for a bit more and then we all went our separate ways for class. I, however, made a stop at the nurse's office.

"Hey, nurse. I came to check on Caitlyn." I lied.

She nodded and I walked over to where Caitlyn was holding ice over her eye. There was a bandage on her nose. I suppose I broke it.

"Caitlyn, dear. Don't ever try that again." I whispered.

"You're sick!" she spit.

"I'm just trying to be your friend! You look like you need one. Please don't be rude to me." I said loudly.

The nurse looked over and shook her head, "Caitlyn, you should be appreciative."

"I will show the true you to everyone." She said.

I sighed and left her there. I couldn't be touched. Couldn't she see that? All these years I painted myself as an angel. Everyone knew I was. Who would believe her? She would just be the girl who cried wolf.