Safe | zarry adoption

s e v e n

"Hey Kasey, can I talk to you after class?" Mr. Styles approached me that Wednesday in the middle of class. He was crouched down by my desk, voice quiet so no one else could hear. "You're not in trouble, I just want to talk about some things," he smiled gently, reassuring.

It was no doubt that he had a soft spot for me. At first I didn't want to make it seem like everything was about me, but after awhile it was very clear. His smiles during lessons that seemed to be directed towards only me, his gentler voice when he greeted me in the hallway, him sharing his lunch with me. Even though I appreciated his kindness, I didn't know where it was coming from or why. All my life I had been looked over and stepped on, and out of the blue someone came around who seemed to care about me.

This is weird. This is weird.

Before I could let myself get in too deep of a thought process I agreed to meet Mr. Styles during lunch and continued to take (extremely messy) notes on the textbook we were reading.

You can't let him know too much, I reminded myself. Just because I now had people who might care about me didn't mean I could go off spilling all of my secrets to them. I had to be careful. I had to make sure he didn't find out.

After class was over I cautiously approached Mr. Styles' desk, wondering what he could want to talk to me about. There hadn't been any homework due the past few days, so it couldn't be anything about that. I was a relatively good student, not too loud or falling asleep in class. He never picked on me during lessons, either, which was a huge relief.

"Kasey, take a seat," he motioned to the chair next to him and I sat, closing in on myself, just like the last time. He turned his chair to face me. "I wanted to ask you a few questions, if that's okay with you. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable in any way, so please feel free to tell me if you are."

Oh God. He knows something.

"How is your home life? Is everything okay at home?"

I froze up. "Wh-what do you mean?" My voice was shaky.

"Do you get along with your parents? Do you see them often?"

"My-my dad left before I was born," I started, taking a deep breath. "And I work a lot."

"How are things when you are home?" His prying was getting deeper and deeper and I didn't like it. If I didn't answer the question, though, he would certainly become even more suspicious.

"It-it's fine. We get along fine," I lied, straight to his face.

"Really." His tone was filled with disbelief. "I would like you, Kasey, to look me in the eye and say that everything is fine at home. Because you walked in class today with a limp, and not for the first time, bruises on your face. That is not the sign of a safe home. So tell me that you're safe, because I'm having a difficult time believing you." The sternness of his voice intimidated me. There was no way I would admit anything to him — if I did he would just be more pissed at me, and only god knows what he would do then.

So I lifted my head up so I could make eye contact with him and spoke. "I'm safe at home."

My voice wavered. It's not a lie it's not a lie it's not a lie, I kept repeating in my head. He can't know he can't know he can't know.

"I really hope you're not lying to me." He suddenly sounded gentler and I regretted lying. "You might think that you're stuck, but I promise you, you're not. If you're not safe there are so many options that can help you." He paused, letting there be an awkward silence. "I'll give you one more chance. Are you safe at home? Is everything okay there?"

"Y-yes." I wasn't looking him in the eye this time.

"Alright." He let out a large sigh. "Please talk to me if you need anything, okay?" I nodded. "Do you have a lunch?" I nodded again — that wasn't actually a lie. "Do you want to eat here with me? I'd be more than happy to share my space."

"No- no thank you Mr. Styles," I said, picking up my bags hastily. "Thank you for- for caring." With that, I ran out of the room and to the library where I spent the rest of lunch trying not to break down.

hihihi its another chapter in a timely manner yay!! as always, feel free to send any suggestions my way!

- asteria <3