She wouldn’t have.
She couldn’t have.
What the hell did she do?
“I repeat, Brooklyn Sanders to the principal’s office.”
I stood up, almost falling into Matt. He tried to steady me, but I pulled away.
She wouldn’t have.
She couldn’t have.
“Brooklyn, it’s probably nothing bad,” Matt said. “She was just messing with you.”
But I was already running.
Chapter 17
Tuesday
Isabella wouldn’t have hurt her own father. That was insane. But she’s insane. I heard Isabella’s laughter echoing around in my head. I picked up my pace, ignoring my feet burning. Please be alive. Please.
Matt caught up to me in the hall, grabbing me by the waist. “Hold on a second, Brooklyn.”
“I can’t.” My tears burned the corners of my eyes.
“You’re okay.” He held me so tightly that it almost hurt. Normally it would have been comforting. His strong arms were like a safe haven for me. But right now, I couldn’t breathe. I squirmed in his grip. I was running out of time.
“Matt.” I could barely get his name out. All I could hear was a clock ticking down in my head. What had Isabella done? “She killed my dad.” The words bubbled up from my throat. And then I couldn’t stop them. “She killed him.” I kept saying it over and over again.
“Isabella didn’t kill anyone, baby. It’s okay. You’re okay.” His breath was warm in my ear. It was usually as comforting as his arms around me, but right now I couldn’t breathe. His breath was too warm. His arms were suffocating me. It was too much.
“She’s having a panic attack,” James said.
I wasn’t even sure where he’d come from.
“You need to give her room to breathe,” James added. “It’s okay, Brooklyn, just take a deep breath.”
“I think I know what I’m doing,” Matt said. “You’re just making it worse. Get out of here.”
“You’re the one making it worse,” James said. “Get off of her.”
“I swear to God, James. Leave us alone.” Matt held me even tighter.
“I can’t breathe,” I gasped.
Matt let me go, like my words singed his skin. He was staring at me like I was broken. Like he broke me.
“Brooklyn,” James said and put his hand on my back. “Take a deep breath.”
He wasn’t supposed to be the one comforting me. I kept my eyes on Matt. He was hurt. And I wasn’t sure if it was because he thought he hurt me. Or because it seemed like I wanted James to help me calm down. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want any of this.
“Breathe,” James said.
I couldn’t handle James’ gentle touch. Or the look of torture on Matt’s face. Instead of taking a moment to catch my breath like James suggested, I started running again. I knew what I needed. And I needed my dad. I needed him to be alive and healthy. I needed to get Isabella’s words out of my head.
I burst into the principal’s office.
The school receptionist gasped.
No. Please, please, no. I couldn’t lose anyone else. I couldn’t. I was gasping for breath as I put my hands on the desk to steady myself.
“My word, what’s going on?” she asked.
I tried to catch my breath. “Aren’t you supposed to be telling me that? Where’s my dad? Is he okay? Is he hurt?”
“Dear, your father’s been waiting for you outside. Didn’t Isabella give you my note? Your father called this morning to let me know he wanted to take you out of school for lunch. I saw your sister walking by the office and gave her the early dismissal note.”
What? “He’s alive?”
“Of course. He’s right outside. He’s been waiting for a while, that’s why I made the announcement. I was just on the phone with him…”
I ran out of the principal’s office. I heard yelling down the hall. James and Matt’s voices echoing in the empty hallway. I cringed. I didn’t want them to fight. I don’t want any of this.
I pushed through the front doors of Empire High. My dad was leaning against his town car, his cell phone pressed against his ear. He looked up at me as I ran down the stairs.
“I’ll have to call you back,” he said and ended the call as he ran over to me. “Princess, what’s wrong? What happened?”
I threw my arms around him and sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed. I clutched at his perfectly pressed suit like he was my lifeline. “I can’t lose you,” I said through my tears.