Chapter 25
Ben leaves me at the library door. I take a deep breath. Today will be fine. Thus far, Lisa and I have managed to work together without injury and only two warnings from Mr. Bannerman. We’ve learned after our last altercation that our best bet is to reserve one of the soundproof study rooms. The librarian was hesitant at first, but was willing to risk it to prevent us from being any more disruptive than we already have been the last month.
I’m a little early, so there is a good chance I will be able to beat Lisa to the room and get my pick of seats. Which will bother her just enough to start the afternoon off with a bang. I quietly move through the library toward the back hallway that leads to the study rooms. As I pass by, some of the doors are open and some closed with ”do not disturb” signs. Midterms have already passed, but there’s always some sort of test or project to prepare for, and it isn’t uncommon to see many of the rooms occupied. Especially on Fridays.
Approaching the door to our reserved room, I notice the door is closed. Ugh. Lisa beat me here. Which means she will be sitting in the chair facing the door looking all smug. I sling the door open, ready to meet her condescending face. Instead, I’m greeted with her back. I can’t see her face because it’s attached to Bella’s face. I hit my knee on a chair and groan, the two break apart. Not sure what to do, I mutter an apology and shut the door behind me.
I had no clue that they were dating. Now that I think of it, it makes sense. They are always together. Lisa’s only nice to Bella. I guess I can see it, but from the way they separated, I don’t think it is public knowledge. Suddenly the door flings back open, and a panicked Bella leaves head down past me, and I’m being pulled by my collar into the room by a surprisingly strong Lisa.
“You didn’t see anything” she tells me sternly. “You didn’t see anything, and you can’t tell anyone” Lisa panics. I don’t think I have ever seen Lisa afraid of anything. She is fear. Clarity hits me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about” I say setting my bag down on the table.
Lisa on the verge of tears continues, “You don’t understand. You can’t have seen anything. If our parents find out—” I can’t believe I actually feel sorry for Lisa. So much about how she carries herself and pushes people around makes sense now.
“Listen, I won’t tell anyone.” I interject. “As far as I’m concerned, I was standing outside, and a crazy lady pulled me into a study room.” I want to say more. I want to comfort her. I want to tell her she shouldn’t hide who she is.
She sits across from me and stares at me for a long time. I stare back to convince her of the truth.
“I’m not embarrassed if that’s what you think, of liking Bella, I mean. It’s just my parents are strict, and so are hers, and well it’s—”
“The south.” I finish her sentence. “Yeah. I know, and that sucks.”
“It does?” she seems surprised.
“It isn’t my business. You know, what you do or choose to share with other people. But yeah, it sucks that you have to hide a part of you. That you have to be afraid for people to see.” I explain.
“Why are you being nice to me?” she asks. I wonder the same thing.
“To be honest, I’m not sure. You are the living worst” I laugh. “But just because you tried to get me to drop out and go back to what was it, ‘my podunk town’, doesn’t mean that you should ever worry about something this monumental.”
“I’m not sure if I hate you more or less now,” she is brutally honest.
“Let’s hope it’s the latter,” I say.
“I think it might be,” and then the sign of the world ending appears, and Lisa smiles at me.
“So your parents…” I choose my next question carefully “They don’t know?”
Lisa takes a deep breath before responding. “They know. The signs were there when I was younger. Barbie always kissed Barbie and never Ken. I refused to be a debutante. My parents and I have an understanding. As long as it stays private, it’s fine. But if it ever becomes public. If I embarrass them…” her voice breaks. “I’m not their daughter anymore”.
“Lisa, no. That’s terrible. A parent’s love should never be conditional.” Suddenly, I’m angry for her and not at her.
“It’s why I work so hard. At school. On the paper. To make up for the fact I’m such a disappointment.” She wipes her eyes on the corner of her sleeve.
Talk about getting an expose. School Terror is Terrified: One girl’s story of resilience in a world where parents suck. The desire to comfort her is overwhelming. “Lisa, I’m not just telling you this because I’m incredibly uncomfortable with the amount of emotion you’re showing and I feel like I have seen behind the Wizard’s red curtain. But you are not a disappointment. You are brilliant and strong. If your parents can’t get over whatever archaic presumptions they have about who you should be, the hell with them.”
She takes what I say in “So what now? You like me all of a sudden? I’ve been terrible to you”.
“I understand you now, and if we’re sharing today, I do like working with you. In a masochistic kind of way.” I say trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m sorry, Amelia.”
“For what?”
“For being so awful. You didn’t deserve it.”
“No, I didn’t, but I forgive you.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
We are able to get through the rest of the afternoon with no arguments. Well, no screaming matches. We finished the packet, and both sent copies at the same time to Mr. Bannerman. It’s actually kind of brilliant. Since it’s an election year, we chose to explore the effects of word of mouth on teens and children. Finding things kids say and repeat at school and tracking it back to the original source.
A series of 10 articles that help show the dangers of repeating information without fact-checking. The final article gives tips on finding legitimate sources and fact-checking information. We even created a website link in the school blog to help people register to vote. Given most students at the school are under the voting age, we decided that the topic was still worth it because it gives good information to parents and students. It’s also non-biased as we used rumors from both major parties for examples.
Now we just have to sit back and wait for Mr. Bannerman’s approval. While packing up, a knock at the door has us both turning our heads. We aren’t left guessing long when Kate and Bella enter. Bella’s eyes are red, and Kate looks determined.
“Can I talk to Amelia?” Kate asks, locking her gaze on me. “Alone.”
Lisa responds, “It’s fine, I handled it.”
Kate looks at her momentarily hostile but then says determined, “I still want to talk to her.”
“It’s okay,” I say.
Bella and Lisa leave, and I notice Lisa nodding at me as they exit. Kate closes the door. Suddenly I feel like a cornered mouse.
“Here’s the thing, I know you saw something interesting and I know that Lisa has done absolutely nothing to earn any grace in your book, but Bella is sweet and innocent. She doesn’t deserve to be hurt by anyone. Understand?” Kate is a good sister. It’s too bad she doesn’t realize I’m not a threat.
“You don’t have to worry Kate. I already told Lisa, but I will tell you too, I’m not going to tell anyone what I saw. It isn’t my business.” I try to make sure I say it clear enough she understands.
“I need more than that. I don’t think you understand the gravity of the situation. Our parents are crazy religious. Like, we have money for our religion crazy religious. If they find out, they’ll send Bella away. Do you want that on your conscience?” She talks fast, and I can see she really is afraid.
“I won’t because I’m not going to tell anyone. Listen, I think that Bella and Lisa shouldn’t have to hide anything, but I’m not going to out them. Besides, if anything else I understand Lisa better now, and want to see her implode less.” Kate takes in what I say.
“Is this how they grow all the girls in Windy Creek?” she questions. “Because a Briarwood girl would have already posted on one of the secret Instagram pages.”
“Briarwood has secret Instagram pages?” First I’m hearing of it.
“Do you not have social media?” she asks, getting off topic.
“Not really?” I shrug.
“We’ll have to fix that. I knew I liked you Bedelia. We are going to be really good friends from now on, you and me.” She comes over and puts her arm around me and gives me a squeeze.
“Is that just so you can keep an eye on me to make sure I don’t spill any secrets?” I ask uncomfortably.
“Yes and no.” she smiles. “Besides, you can’t spend all your time with Ben.”
I don’t spend all my time with Ben. Do I?