AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shocked at his words I twist around on the chair to regard him with wide eyes. For the first time this afternoon, his eyes are on me, but without feelings and emotions. I get up quickly and move toward him, ignoring Mr. Beatles' questioning stare.
As soon as we are out of earshot, I say, “I'm sorry this happened again.”
“What happened?” He inquires as I knock on the secretary's open door and step in, beckoning him to follow suit.
“She was picked on,” I explain as Callie catches sight of us, her eyes slightly widening at the sight of her father. She gets up from where she is sitting beside the kind middle-aged woman and runs toward us, wrapping her father in a hug.
Sebastian bends low and kisses her on her forehead.
“Are you alright?” He asks as he cups her cheeks and examines her closely, his expression worried.
“I am now,” Callie tells him.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Vaughn.” Mrs. Jones greets.
Sebastian nods politely at her.
“Thank you for looking after her.”
Mrs. Jones chuckles.
“It is my job, and Callie is a wonderful kid.”
Sebastian takes Callie by the hand and leads her out the door. I follow them out but turn to Sebastian and ask, “Where are we going?” It becomes apparent that it isn't back to the principal's office.
“Where we can talk.” He answers.
“I have a class to teach,” I tell him, even though the last thing I want to do is bid them goodbye.
“That's the whole point of why we need to discuss this.” He tells me as we continue to move towards the parking lot where his Lamborghini is parked. It is new and even though I know next to nothing about cars, I know it costs a shit ton of money. Sebastian pushes the car door open, and they get in. I note that today he has driven here by himself.
“Are you okay?” He asks Callie. That earlier worry is back in his voice, making it heavier and gruffer.
“I am fine, dad,” Callie says absently as she begins to rock back and forth.
I study her closely, observing the repetitive movement. Suddenly, I have a light bulb moment where I understand why Callie had been very aggressive. It is a part of the symptoms she happens to have. Even though my little brother had never acted out aggressively, I should have understood it was a symptom and managed the situation better.
My heart goes out to the little girl, and I find myself asking. “Callie, how safe do you feel in class?”
Callie turns to her father as if requesting permission to respond, or maybe she's ensuring he won’t be mad at her if she tells me the truth.
“I don't feel safe anymore.” She confesses, her voice quiet and pained. “I was called a freak. I don't want to be around people who think of me like that.”
My heart goes to pieces at her words. This time, I hug Callie, for a second. A hug that Callie surprisingly returns.
“I'm so sorry, Callie.”
“It's alright Miss Donovan.”
“I don't think it is,” Sebastian says, sounding even more troubled. “How do you feel about being home-schooled, Callie?”
I stare at him in shock.
“That sounds exciting,” Callie says, smiling for the first time today.
“You would like that?”
“I would love that.”
