No Pills

37. She will be... a superhero?

*Mia's P.O.V *

Maybe it's just the same polka dot design, though Loré gave me the purse, and Charlie asked about her, so, like - "Where did you get it from?"

"Pardon me?"

"Did Loré ask you to steal it?"

"Mia -"

"Why would you steal? Because of your baby?"

"What?!" Charlie's brows furrow.

"The pregnancy test kit."

"That was for my parent."

Oooh!

"And anyway -" Charlie freezes.

I frown.

"Your voice was coarse on Fridays, " he muses, "and there was a loud metal band playing... and that was Thursday night, and I know you wouldn't go partying on a school night, so you-you worked at Andrés's club... that's how you know Loré, isn't it?"

Now is my turn to gasp. Charlie sits back. I cross my arms, and he gives me the kind of look that can read thoughts.

Screw it. I squirm. "Yes."

"So she gave you the purse?" His shoulders tense a little.

"Yes."

"Why were you singing there?"

"Money, duh. I didn't know you went to clubs either. And they're letting minors in like that?"

"Mia, did your guardian know?"

"Know what?"

"That you worked there?" He presses.

I sigh. Charlie hasn't even mentioned how he has my purse, and yet, somehow, I am the one up for questioning. How does he do that?

"Mia."

"What?!"

Suddenly, he has a pen and a book. Crossing his legs, he sets the book on his thigh. "What's your guardian's name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm making a list of people I have to report."

"It's not that big of a deal," I laugh nervously.

"Mia," he replies in a dry tone. "Name. Now."

OK, sir. "Elisabeth -"

"Elissa... Beth." He scribbles. Seeing Andrés's name already on the list, I frown. "Wait, I'm confused. Andrés?"

"He should be held accountable -" Charlie drops his pen suddenly. Colour drains from his face. "Elisa... is-s-she might have -"

"Dude, what?"

"Urrr, kicked the bucket."

"HUH?!" I blast, flipping my chair, who knows where. He flinches, but I am preoccupied with trying to comprehend -NT LISA IS DEAD?!"

"M-m-maybe, it's not her."

"WELL, THEN DON'T SAY SHIT LIKE THAT IF YOU'RE NOT SURE!"

"Mia," he drawls, holding his forehead as if he had a headache, "I'm sorry, but why are you yelling at me?"

"Because -" Why am I yelling at him? "Cuz you vanished and then you-you came back, and you vanished again and took my Nancy Drew, and you haven't explained why you have that purse, and now you're telling me that a whole Aunt Lisa is just ... Dead! And now you're not sure, and if you'd any idea the HELL I WENT THROUGH BECAUSE OF HER, YOU WOULD BE SURE- "