Thin As Water

23.

AN: Trigger Warning - This chapter contains verbal/psychological abuse of a teenager by another teenager. Please use discretion when viewing this chapter.

James VanGrayson stormed down the hall towards the Headmistress' office. A few little girls noticed him as he passed and quickly got out of the way, nearly stumbling over each other. James barely noticed. He reached the office, rapped twice on the door, and entered.

Lil flinched at the sharp knock and subconsciously began trying to make herself smaller, drawing back into the shadows.

"Mr. VanGrayson." The headmistress acknowledged.

"Headmistress." James nodded, then looked around the room for his sister, fixing her with a dark look when he saw her.

"I require someone to sign the form for the punishment. Are you willing?"

James stepped closer to the desk, and Lil could feel the anger radiating off of him as he passed her. 

"Thank you, ma'am, but we'll be going home tomorrow. My mother would prefer to sign it."

"That's very well. Just have it to me by Monday."

"Yes ma'am. I do have a few questions."

"Certainly, Mr. VanGrayson. What would you like to know?"

James looked over at Lil again. "May my sister step out for a moment?"

"Yes, of course. You may leave, Ms. VanGrayson."

"Wait for me in the office." James added firmly.

Lil nodded and exited the office. Once outside, she leaned against the wall, attempting to calm her breathing. James was more angry than she'd ever seen him, and she had no idea what he was going to do. 

"Miss?"

Lil looked up as a little girl entered the office. "Hello, Maya."

Maya grinned, her freckled cheeks turning pink with happiness. "You r'membered me!"

"Of course I do." Lil couldn't help but smile at the little girl. "How is your year going?"

"It's good! I haven't even got in any trouble at all." Maya looked quite pleased with herself.

"That's great, Maya. I'm really proud of you." Lil said sincerely.

Maya smiled even wider. "Thanks Miss!"

The fact that she wasn't technically head girl for a while hit Lil again. "Maya, you may call me Lilian if you want."

"Really?" Maya stared at the older girl with wide eyes.

"Really. Or Lil, if that's easier."

"Wow. Thanks Lil." Maya frowned suddenly. "Are you ok?"

"I-" Lil was about to say I'm fine, but her voice caught in her throat.

Maya smiled sympathetically, then ran forward and gave Lil a hug. Her head only reached halfway up Lil's torso.

"It's gonna be ok, ok? You're tough, I can tell. I know things like that." 

Lil smiled again at the proud look on Maya's face. "You're very smart."

"My mom says that I'm either bein' smart or bein' a smart mouth an' there's never an in-between." Maya grinned cheekily.

Lil laughed and was about to respond when the office door opened behind her. She glanced back to see James, who quickly masked his anger when he saw the little girl looking at him with wide eyes.

"Come along, Lillian." James spoke in a faked pleasant voice.

"Sure. I'll see you later, Maya."

"Later, Lil." Maya gave one last gap toothed grin as Lil followed James out of the office.

As soon as James and Lil were a substantial way out of the office, the anger returned to James' countenance. He led the way to the discipline room and motioned for Lil to unlock it, then gestured that she enter.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"Jamie, I didn't-"

"CLEARLY, Lilian. And you will address me properly." James spat.

Lil gulped. "Yes, sir."

"Now, what have you to say for yourself?"

Lil wanted to defend herself, but the rage in her brother's eyes sent her mind into fight or flight. Unfortunately, she waited too long.

"Nothing? You have nothing to say?"

"I-"

"SILENCE. You had your chance to speak already. You are a disgrace, Lilian."

Lil's eyes burned with tears.

"Don't even start sniveling. You lost Head Girl? Even Hazel Jamison couldn't manage that feat." James spoke sarcastically.

"Hazel was wonderful." Lil challenged quietly.

"You will not talk back to me. That d-" James cut himself off and straightened his blazer. "Jamison, despite her faults, at very least managed enough control not to slap another student. Have we not discussed this before? In fact, I believe that twice within two years you've slapped a classmate."

Lil looked confused. "Only once, sir."

James sneered. "Don't lie to me. I saw the log even though Jamison refrained from sending a note home. April of your first year, do you recall?"

Lil raised an eyebrow. April of her first year had been when she had taken Daisy's punishment for punching Ethan Brown. She hadn't known that James knew anything about that, but explaining seemed rather pointless. "I remember, sir."

James glared. "You should have outgrown that by now. You were Head Girl, Lilian! You had a duty to the school and to our honor and you have decimated that."

Lil felt a tear slip down her cheek.

"Stop your crying or I'll give you something to cry about." James growled.

Lil's eyes widened and she began backing up slowly.

"You're absolutely pathetic. I don't know what became of you. I always hoped you would outgrow your persistent weakness but perhaps some things are impossible."

"Jamie-"

"BE QUIET." James stormed closer to her and Lil backed up until she felt her shoulders bump against the wall. James continued forward until he was only a few inches away from her.

"You are no sister of mine. Our blood is as thin as water."

Lil felt another tear come into her eye and tried to blink it away, but it slipped down her cheek, followed by another. James looked at her in disgust and raised his hand. Lil flinched, waiting for a blow, but it never came.

"I'd beat you myself, but once mother is through with you, I doubt there will be much left for me."

James lowered his hand and Lil sank to the ground, pulling her knees to her chest. James stared at her a minute longer, then turned on his heel and marched to the door.

"You're weak, Lilian. You will always be weak."

The boy flicked off the lights as he left the room, leaving Lil once more in darkness.

AN: My apologies for the dark James and the general angst. That's not quite done yet, but be assured that Lil will make it through this. 

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