Escaping Love (Rewrite) [Book #1]

Chapter 36

|| JACKIE ||

|| Monday, February 3rd ||

Amber and I are sitting in the same spot for lunch. She turned to me after finishing her box of food, "How's Charlotte been?"

"She's well. She felt a lot better yesterday. Her blood results might come in today, but she hasn't said anything yet. I'm hoping the results make everything easier."

"Do you think they're going to find out about the engagement?" Amber asked, and I knew she was talking about the administration.

"Yeah. Charlotte emailed Jack and said that we're meeting today after our sixth-period to discuss it," I whispered, hoping no one overhears the conversation.

The rumors are always getting around, and they spread like the plague. We're not letting this situation become the talk of the school.

"Good, please, let me know how it goes," Amber said.

"You know I always do."

The bell rang to head to our fifth-period. As we walked by, Officer Morgan and Officer Tran talked with our school officer, Tyler Rich.

I sighed. I'm hoping we talk to Principal Simpson before involving everyone in the case. Now, I'm sitting in art, unable to focus, and thinking about what Principal Simpson discovered. My heart is beating quicker and quicker.

Then it hit me. If Simpson wants us to explain our situation, we haven't even talked about a story, besides the engagement. We never talked about a relationship story. I start to think more about it and realize I'm going to have to use the truth, but with a twist.

"Jackie?" My head snapped up, and I saw Mrs. Riley looking at me. She came over to the table and crouched down next to me, "Are you okay? You haven't touched any of the materials for the past half an hour. We only have fifteen minutes left before the bell rings."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just have a lot on my mind," I said.

She nodded, "I understand. Please, let me know if you need any help."

"Thank you, Mrs. Riley," I said.

She patted my back before walking around the rest of the classroom. I felt Amber's hand on mine, "It's going to be okay," Amber said.

I smiled at her, squeezing her hand and then looking down at the book's blank page.

Once the sixth class ended, everyone left Charlotte's classroom. I sit at my desk, getting more anxious as the time ticks. I have pieces from my past that I might be able to glue together into a story, but I'm unsure if it will stay.

I snapped out of my thoughts as the phone rang. "Hello?" Charlotte answered. She was silent for a while before speaking up again, "Yeah. Jackie is right here with me. We'll be right down. Thank you, Vicky." She hung up the phone and stood up, "Come on; it's now or never."

We exited the classroom and began making our way down the hall to the front office. "I realized you never got a ring, so here," I said, handing Charlotte the silver band that I always wore.

She slid it on her ring finger, "It fits."

"Coincidentally," I said, and she nodded. We arrived at the front office, and the nerves in me are making me mildly nauseous.

Vicky smiled at us, "He's inside talking with a couple of officers. I'll let him know you're both here." She spoke into the radio, "Principal Simpson, we have Charlotte Evans and Jacqueline Blake with me right now."

"Send them in," he said, and Vicky opened the office door as we entered the narrow space.

Once we were inside, Principal Simpson smiled, "Have a seat."