Chapter 4
Tessa
I park my car in the driveway, making space for Hailey, who was driving behind me. This is ritual.
Every year, on the first day, we talk about any and everything. From the new fashion sense around the school, down to who we think will be elected for Student Body President.
“You’re house is just as fabulous as it was when I was here last Thursday for B-2-S shopping.”
Note: B2S means Back to School.
Typical Hailey and Tess talk.
“Yeah, you know mom, only the latest—”
“.. and greatest,” my mother finished for me as we walked through the front door.
“Hey, Mom,” I said straining a smile.
“Oh, hey, Miss O’Conner.” Hailey spoke clearly and lightly. Even though she was somewhat my best friend, she wouldn’t understand.
My mom glared at me, and jerked her head towards the steps.
“Your father wants to speak to you, Tessa.”
“Um, ok.” I gulped down the fear that was tugging at my throat and made my way to Daddy’s office, where he was shuffling through some of his business papers. He scribbled something down on his writing pad every few seconds. He picked up a book that said ‘Methods of Accounting’ in big navy blue letters and flipped through it.
Tax time, I thought. He refused to hire an accountant, so instead, he does it all himself. I watched as his curly carrot top glistened in the angled sunlight that beamed on his back. His red hair was a little brighter than mines, and the curls fell just above his eyes in a neat little bang that he always tried to comb back in the morning. But since his hair was as stubborn, I told him to let it grow in over his eyes, and since then, he’s left it there.
After standing there for a couple of minute, observing, I cleared my throat, and Daddy looked up from his paper work over his thin wire reading glasses. He leaned back in his seat and pulled his glasses off his face, placing them on the table beside the accounting book he was reviewing just moments ago.
“Mom said you wanted to see me?” I asked, unsure of myself. My Daddy scared me in ways a claustrophobic person feared small, tight elevators. He was a big man, strong and hard, and I’ve never understood, but it seems like he just doesn’t really like me, in fact, I think he just might…..
“Hey, Dad!” Zaida said, rushing into the room and over to our father to hug him and kiss his cheek. She set her bag down on the chair next to his desk, and looked over his shoulder.
I watched, enviously, as Daddy hugged her back. The sight was sickening.
“Daddy, did you need anything?” And at that moment, Zaida noticed me for the first time. She looked up, misunderstanding owning her features.
“Your mother and I have noticed that you aren’t doing nearly as good as Zaida is in your classes.”
My mouth dropped open. I was shocked! Completely, totally, absolutely shocked.
“Daddy, I try, and I’m doing so good, and—”
“There’s no excuse, Tessabelle! Your so much better than an average student, and if you weren’t you wouldn’t be in a private school, now would you.” My Daddy pulled what looked like my school report from his endless stack of papers.
“You have a ‘C’ in Biology, Tessabelle.”
“I failed the project, Dad, I told you that,” my voice began to rise, against my will, and before I could process and correct it, my face was stinging and shining red.
I put my hand to my cheek, caressing it trying to make the pain go away, but it wouldn’t work. Daddy swings hard, and he doesn’t ever hold back.
“Tessabelle Marisa O’Conner!” Daddy roared my name with ultimate force making the hairs on my neck stand. “Do not stand here and lie to me! I know you didn’t even attempt to do that project. You copied Zaida’s from last semester!”
I gulped, not knowing how to answer to this issue. I’ve never been caught until now. I always copy Zaida’s projects because she always gets an ‘A’ on them.
My glare froze on Zaida.
Of course. It makes perfect since! She never copies my stuff and she probably wants to get some sort of twisted revenge from this morning. My lips turned up into a snare.
I got you, Miss Perfection. I will make her suffer.
Even if it’s the last thing I do.
