Masks

Chapter 24

Waiting for the one day,
I could finally drop them from my back.

~~~

  "So Mr. Hayes is the only absence."

  Violet sighed. The students sat in their homeroom that Tuesday morning as the teacher took their attendance before they could move on with their day, Quinn's seat the only one empty.

  He's been gone since Friday, Violet thought. I wonder if he's really okay...

  She had been meaning to ask him about his mother since then. She knew that Mrs. Hayes could be harsh on him since she wanted him to do well in school, but Violet never knew how far his mother was willing to go in order for him to obey her. She never knew when the right time to ask him was, but it seems like he wouldn't be seen in a couple of days.

  She'd been worrying about him since then. Mrs. Hayes hadn't kicked him weakly, either. She could only imagine how many bumps and bruises there were all over his arms and legs, making her cringe in pain. She doubted his mother had taken a look at his injuries, after all she caused them in the first place. She decided that she'll properly treat them when she gets a chance to see him again.

  He didn't deserve it. It might be my fault after all.

  "You are dismissed." Mrs. Clarke announced, just a few seconds before the second bell rang.

~~~

  Violet walked home alone that day, the sad feeling she felt whenever she'd done this returning to her. She could barely concentrate in her classes, as she was worried about Quinn's well being.

It had also brought her to the thought of confessing. Overhearing the reason why his mother beat him in the first place, she decided that she would hold back from confessing what she truly felt about him. He may never know, but if it was to keep him from getting hurt, she knew it was for the best.

"Welcome back." Irene greeted as Violet entered the house. Violet simply smiled back, but Irene could tell that there was sadness in her expression.

She's been like this for a while, she thought. I guess it may be best not to pry right now.

Violet walked into her room and let herself fall onto the bed. She stared at the ceiling for a while, thoughts swirling around in her head.

Would he be ready to talk about it? But I guess the first problem would have to be contacting him. I wonder when he'd be going back to school? But even then, would he want to tell me? This would be so much easier if I could just call him.

An idea popped up in her head. Reaching under her bed, she pulled out a flat board covered in dust.

~~~

Quinn laid on his bed, too tired to do anything else. He knew he should be working ahead on sheets he was already given before his absence, but he was too out of it to even think about school.

She was watching. I saw her. How could I possibly explain to her about my situation?

He rolled over and faced his desk. He left his textbooks on top of it, saying that he'd get started on his schoolwork, which never actually happened since Friday. His mother would probably be stopping by the school to pick up missed homework while she's out.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knocking sound on the opposite window. Eyes widening, he began to panic.

I'm not prepared to tell her just yet.

He waited for the knocking to stop before he opened his blinds. Violet's whiteboard was left on her windowsill.

"Remember our promise? We said we wouldn't keep secrets from each other."

Without a second thought, he pulled out his own dry erase board and left it on his own windowsill after he was done writing.

  "Meet me in my backyard. I can't leave the house. The gate will be unlocked."

  He smiled a little when he heard loud footsteps running out of the room across from him. Letting out a shaky sigh, he prepared himself for what was about to come, or rather, what he was about to do.