Your Teacher (Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"It's really not as bad as it looks," Christine mumbled while blushing. Both her parents were standing in front of her with wide eyes. The three of them were in the kitchen of their two-story home. When Christine walked in moments before, Beth had been fixing dinner and Gary had been reading the newspaper at the table. Now, however, they were both in her face asking questions.

"What happened?" her mother asked anxiously.

"Did someone do this to you?" her father asked frantically.

Before Christine could even answer, Beth was dragging her towards the freezer. She opened the door and obtained an ice pack before placing it against her daughter's swollen cheek. She wasn't oblivious to the look of pain Christine revealed. With concerned eyes, she led her to the kitchen table so all three of them could sit down. "Now," her mother began gently. "What happened? Tell us everything."

Christine took a deep breath while holding the ice pack to her face. She found she couldn't look at her parents. They were looking at her way too intensely. "Well, you know that girl I go to school with, Carlotta?"

"Yes," they replied together.

"She punched me."

"Why?" Gary demanded. "Why in the world would she do such a thing?"

"It doesn't matter why," her mother said, obviously furious. "That girl's mother is going to receive a call from me-"

"No!" Christine cut in. "No, please don't, Mom." That's the last thing I need. I'd never hear the end of it.. Carlotta would torture me forever! "Seriously, I am fine." She spoke the words slowly, making sure they understood. "The last thing I need is for her to think I came home crying to my mommy and daddy."

"But honey," her mother intervened. "Something needs to be done." Her father nodded.

"Yeah, but not by you two. This is my thing. I can handle it." Her cheek was numb, but she attempted a crooked smile. " 'I'm a big kid now'," she said playfully.

"Well, this shouldn't have happened," Gary said, still angry. "Don't you let her get away with it."

That caused Beth to react. "What do you want her to do, Gary? Punch her?" She crossed her arms. "I don't think so."

"I expect her to stand up for herself. I didn't say there had to be violence. Come on, Beth." He frowned.

Christine wasn't going to let this turn into an argument. She sighed. "Look, don't fight. I'll try to talk to her." Yeah right, her mind whispered. "Maybe she'll apologize." Again, yeah right. She shrugged.

"Well, I hope so," her father grumbled, still frowning.

"Yes, hopefully she will apologize. I for one cannot forgive her so easily, though," her mother said dryly, her arms still crossed.

"Well," Christine began with a short but awkward and, what she hoped was, reassuring laugh. "I think I'll go to my room now." She started to stand. "Oh, what's for dinner?"

"Chicken-broccoli casserole," her mother replied with concerned eyes.

"Ok, good. I'll be back." With that, Christine left the room and went to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She immediately sat on her bed and called Meg on her cell phone. It took three rings for her friend to pick up the phone, and she heard music in the background when she finally did answer.

"Hey, Chris," Meg said cheerfully. She reached over and turned down the iTunes music volume on her laptop. "What's up?"

"Carlotta punched me today after school," Christine said, getting right to the point.