The Darkness in her Eyes

12

The weeks went by so fast, I almost didn't recognize Bree as she walked down the hall to her class. She saw me and quickly darted away from my view. Bree should know we have to talk at some point.

I shake my head. Andrew never messaged me that night and as soon as I came into his view he would walk in the other direction. I guess everyone was going to treat me like the plague. As I find a seat for my history class, I look out my window and there's Craig sitting on a rock in the courtyard.

What in the world is he doing here? Granted we haven't talked since he showed up to Bree's house. But. . He's relentless.

I raise my hand and ask to use the restroom.

As I go out to the courtyard, he hands me a bouquet of flowers and grabs my hand.

"Annie. Listen okay. You seriously need to give me another chance".

"I don't think I can, Craig. I really don't think it's going to work out. We have been over for a year. And you know you are not supposed to be on school property without a visitor's pass".

"You wouldn't respond to any of my messages".

"I haven't had time to process anything between taking care of my family and helping Aunt Terry... I've been busy". As I rest my hand on his shoulder. Principal Dirk walks out and seems to be walking right up to us.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class?", he looks at me with fire in his eyes.

"I was just going back".

He looks over Craig and who are you? Are you supposed to be here?".

"I was just leaving", Craig said.

"Annie, I'm going to call your parents for not being in class and having a visitor here without permission".

"No. Please don't do that! I'll head back to class and he will leave". I look at Craig. "Leave Craig, you don't know how much trouble I'll be in with my dad".

"Head to my office, Annie". He points me towards the office.

As I head into the dread and overwhelming anxiety hits me like a ton of bricks. Dad's home today. Mom won't be able to hide this. He's going to kill me.

Principal Dirk enters and sits in his chair. "Your father is on his way. Please quietly sit and do your homework if you have any".

I sit down and start to grab my textbooks out and I can feel my heart start to spatter and my hands are shaking. He's going to be furious that he has to come in to talk to the principal. He's going to be even more mad that Craig showed up. I really don't want to deal with this right now.

I hear a knock on the door, "Excuse me, but Mr. Kehr is here".

"Send him in", Principal Dirk said.

Dad walks in and to others he may look very calm but he tells a very different story to me.

Disappointment. Disappointment is written all over his face, along with a fury I am going to see later.

"Now, Mr. Kehr. I want to first say that I have never had any issues or even complaints about Annie since she has been here. As far as I can tell, her grades are good and her attendance is good as well. But we had an incident happen today. She excused herself from class to meet a boy out in the courtyard. Well that is one thing, the other is he wasn't a student here, which poses a big safety threat for the rest of my students".

"I see", Dad said as he clenches his teeth.

"Now since she has not been in trouble before. I am going to send her home today with you and she is to have detention every Friday for four weeks. If you just wait a few minutes, the front office has been collecting her homework for the rest of the day".

Dad nods and Principal Dirk leaves the room.

"Who's the boy?"

"Craig. But Dad. I didn't tell.."

"Stop we will talk about this when we get home". Dad looks at me, enough to make me shut up.

God forbid, I make a scene and mess up his perfect family image. The door opens and Principal Dirk hands me my assignments for the rest of the day. "I expect not to see you in my office anymore Miss Kehr."

"Yes, Sir".

"She won't be if I have anything to do with", said Dad as we walked out.

"Come straight home, Annie."

On the way home, the tension builds up. I don't know what he has planned. I know it isn't good.

As I head into the house, Mom is sitting up on the couch. She is eyeing me with a mischievous look on her face. She may be trying to hide it but I can tell she finds it hilarious that I had gotten in trouble in school. I'm sure when Dad goes to sleep tonight, she'll tell me what she really thinks.

"Sit", Dad points to the couch and stares as the flowers sticking out of my backpack.

"Go throw those in the garbage, NOW Annie!".

"Why", I ask.

"Do it now Annie, he is pissed", Mom whispers in my ear as my dad turns his head.

"I don't want you seeing that boy, Annie. Ever. If he had any respect, he would come to the house while I'm present".

Mom lets out a chuckle.

"This isn't funny, Lucy!".

"Now you listen to me. You are not to see him. At All.".

"If that's what you want Dad", I said as I whispered without moving my lips "Asshole".

"If you keep it up, you are not going to be driving your mom's car anymore. She will take you to and from school"

Mom whispers, "Ugh, keep your cool Annie, I don't want to have to drive you back and forth".

"Okay Dad. But can I explain at all?"

"I really don't want to hear any of your lies Annie. Go to your room until its time for you to fix supper. We're done talking".

So much for hearing me out, Dad. Thanks.

Mom came to my room later that night after dad had taken his hearing aides out and was fully asleep.

She comes in with a big smile.

"That Craig, was so sweet to bring you flowers. I bought you something today, while I was out with Aunt Teresa". She hands me a cell phone. "You are going to have to hide this but I thought this would be better than constantly having to use the internet. I also thought this would stop Craig from coming to your school".