Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, Book 1)

Chapter Fifteen

Alyssa

We didn't go back to school until Thursday. Tina and I were both excused on Wednesday so that we wouldn't have to be there when Mr. Tinsley was asked to leave. At least until the findings of the investigation had been determined. If I didn't feel as though I could handle it after sticking by her side since she'd barged into my room the morning before, I was sure Tina couldn't. She was still reeling from having to re-read and initial each page of the statement Mrs. Jessome had written from the recorded statement before signing it at the bottom. Then she'd had to go and see the doctor, the lawyer, and then, with the lawyer present, the police. Not being at school might have made our involvement more obvious, but the gossip would be easier to digest if we didn't have to see him.

"Just don't look at anyone, Tina," I whispered out of the corner of my mouth. She looked ready to break, timid. "If you aren't comfortable with this, we can go. You don't have to stay."

"No. I have to face it."

Despite the shaking in her voice, she was resolute. I had never admired her as much as I did right now. Her strength. Facing what she feared despite how scared she was. It was amazing. I doubted I could've done it.

I rubbed the spot on her back just between her shoulder blades in slow, soothing circles and said, "Okay, well, I'll talk with you between classes then."

"I don't need a babysitter, Aly." She sighed and raised her face to the cloudy sky where the sun had failed to appear, casting shadows into every corner until it all seemed threatening. "We don't even know how much everyone knows. They might not realize it has anything to do with me."

I looked around and saw that while we were given passing glances of acknowledgement, nobody was staring. There wasn't a gleam of curiosity or accusation to be seen. Maybe she was right. There was no way of knowing unless we asked someone, or it was mentioned. Since I wasn't about to ask, and I knew Tina wasn't going to inquire, we'd just have to wait and see how the day unfolded.

"Tina, we have classes together, remember? You can't avoid talking with me." I smiled but she remained stoic. I sighed. "Fine. Do you want me to pretend we don't know each other and just meet you for lunch? We can go somewhere and get away." It was only two hours.

"Okay." She nodded. "Lunch. I can totally do that." She smiled and pulled her bag up higher on her shoulder. "Don't worry about me, Aly." She nudged me with her hip and nodded again.

"Ha! That's funny." I pulled her into a one-armed hug and squeezed.

D-Day was just one day away. I didn't know what was going to happen at the deadline, but I wanted Tina to at least feel safe. If I died again, I didn't want her to be alone. She was so close to breaking, I feared that if I died, she'd be shattered, though I was hoping that I had spent the week focused on what had needed to change in order for my fate to change. Killing yourself is selfish. Helping Tina this week was the least selfish thing I had done throughout my entire life. Knowing what had happened—hearing the details—had left me nearly as scarred as she must have been after going through it.

I watched her walk away and sighed. What I'd done was for the good of everyone. Tina knew that. I knew that. So then why did I feel so terrible about it? Because you made the pain she worked hard to forget the most important aspect of her life, front and center for all to see. She can't pretend anymore.

I soothed my guilt with the knowledge that Mr. Tinsley couldn't hurt anyone.

Two hours passed as slow as two years. Aside from the crap with Mr. Tinsley and worrying about Tina, it was hard to pay attention in class, doing nothing when I knew I might die. In the realm of possibilities, the probability of my death was high.