27. Margo
Chapter 27
Margo
L enora and Robert pick me up shortly after Josh and Norah leave for work.
I slide into the backseat and pull off my hat, grimacing. “When did it get to be winter?”
Overnight, we got at least six inches of snow. While there’s been a few snow showers, this just feels excessive. I look at the seat beside me and smile. There’s a pair of fur-lined boots with a little Christmas bow on it.
“An early present,” Lenora says, winking at me in the rearview mirror. “Don’t worry, it’s fake fur.”
“Thank you so much.” I tug off my shoes and slip on the new boots. They’re a warm, perfect fit, and I sigh.
“Someone’s happy.” Robert frowns. “How many winters have you gone through without properly insulated boots?”
The ones I always wear are more hiking-slash-everyday boots, leather, and definitely not warm . “Um… A girl I was living with had grown out of hers and gave them to me. I was twelve? They were a bit big, so they lasted two seasons.” I smile to myself. “I gave them away when I outgrew them.”
They’re quiet. Contemplating how different our lives must’ve been, I’m sure.
“How are you feeling?” Lenora asks.
“Better.”
Except my wrists. I woke up this morning dripping blood down my hands. It seems like once I opened up a little wound, I now constantly pick at it. I covered the damage with a bandage and a long-sleeved shirt, but I doubt I’ll be able to hide it for long.
“My head doesn’t even hurt much anymore.”
Robert makes a face. “I wish I could say the same.”
I lean forward. “Are you sure you’re up for visiting the school?”
“I’m ready to see some familiar faces,” he says, glancing back at me. “And besides, I’m not sure what sort of antics they’ll try.”
“We have a teacher and a corporate mediator,” I joke. “Hopefully things will fall on our side. But… what kind of antics?”
“Just that you’re not fit to come back to school. They’ll probably try to push time off—but that will just hurt you in the long run,” Lenora says. “Your case worker agreed that it was up to our discretion. Unless you don’t want?—”
“I’d like to return to normal. Sitting around, moping and dealing with…” Trauma, I don’t say. I clear my throat. “Normalcy is what I need.”
Robert nods. “Exactly.”
We get to the school and walk across the deserted parking lot, up the steps into the school. The secretary gets a little teary when she sees us—more Robert than me, I’ll admit—and circles her desk to give him a hug.
And then we’re shuffled into the principal’s office.
She’s a stern lady. Luckily, I haven’t had too much interaction with her or the guidance counselor since the beginning of the year, and I had planned on keeping it that way. She analyzes me over the top of her reading glasses, which are perched on the end of her nose.
Lenora explains what’s been going on at home. Between the craziness, I’ve managed to catch up on most of the work my classes covered. That appears to be the clincher, and the principal agrees I can come back tomorrow.
The principal sends me out, and I go stand in the hallway.
And… the bell rings.
Figures .
This part of the school isn’t too busy unless students are coming to the office, so I don’t worry too much about being seen. That is, until Savannah appears. I suppress my sigh.
She hurries in my direction, clearly distracted, and stops dead when she spots me. “You’re back?”
“It would appear so.”
“Rumor had it that you croaked.” She plants her hands on her hips.
“I guess they got that one wrong.” I force a laugh.
“Hmm.” She looks me up and down. “You might consider bangs.”
My eyebrow jumps, and my face flushes. “Why, to cover the barely visible scar? I’m not that petty.”
She smiles. “It might help avoid the staring, you know?”
I lean against the wall, crossing one ankle over the other. “I’ve been meaning to ask, how’s life at the top of the pyramid? Still holding Amelie’s spot until she gets back?”
Because Amelie is back in France, and Sav is the queen regent. Only holding power until her best friend returns.
She grits her teeth. “I’m not a placeholder. Freak .”
She rushes around me, hurrying down the hall.
The office door opening catches my attention. Lenora and Robert walk out, saying their goodbyes.
Lenora grins at me. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
We head out. I almost expect something to have happened to the car while we were inside—someone keying it or popping the tires—but it seems the same.
I wonder when I should tell them about going to see my dad. If I should even mention it.
We make it all the way back home before Lenora smacks her forehead. “Should I have taken you to the Blacks’ house? Would you prefer to be there?”
“No,” I say, hopping out. “They’re at work.” And Caleb is in school.
She nods. “Okay, great. I do have to head into the office for a little while today, otherwise I think I’ll be without a job myself. But you two can finally have your movie marathon day.”
“We stocked up on popcorn,” Robert tells me. “And a cleaning company is coming over this afternoon to take care of your room.”
I nod, swallowing. I just won’t think about the room or what’s written up there. I’m still trying to figure out where I’ve heard pretty bird before…
We go inside. I realize halfway through to the kitchen that I’ve been holding my breath. I let it out in one shallow exhale, reminding myself to breathe.
Robert is a bit slower on his feet, but we busy ourselves making popcorn and hot chocolate. A weird combination, but he insists that we can have both. And then we each take our separate corners on the couch, blankets on our laps, and settle in for a weird, happy day of movies.