Page 57 of I Don't Need Your Protection

I want to tell her she’s starting to sound like Caleb, but I bite my tongue. Instead I go with, “I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt. I think people can change.”

Carly says, “But why would she all of a sudden talk to us?”

“Because she’s trying to be nice?” I supply.

“Maybe because she sees Warner is getting close to you and she wants to get to know you better,” Carly suggests. “Maybe she thinks you’ll be part of the popular kids now.”

Raven makes a face. “I don’t think so, but fine. If you want to give her the benefit of the doubt, I won’t argue.”

“You have a good heart and see the good in people, Addie,” Sophie adds. “So maybe you see something in her that the rest of us don’t.”

“Thanks.”

As I turn to look at the popular table, my eyes catch sight of Caleb. His eyebrows are knitted as he watches me. Did he hear the conversation we had with Clarissa? Is he suspicious as well? Well, I don’t care what he thinks. I’m going to have an open mind and judge for myself whether she was genuine or not. And right now, I’m convinced she was just trying to be nice.

The bell rings. The others and I exit the door and I find Caleb walking among the throng of students. I rush to catch up to him.

“I have a question,” I whisper.

“Is it important?”

“Yeah, kind of.”

He stops walking, causing many other kids to bang into us as they scramble to leave the dining hall.

Caleb pulls me into a room that looks like a huge pantry. My mouth gapes open as I look around. “That’s a lot of food,” I say in wonder.

“Your question?” he asks. “And please make it quick. We’ll be late for class.”

We’re standing close, even though there’s enough room in here. “It’s about Parents’ Day. Have you heard about it?”

He dips his head.

“How does that work? I mean, I’m assuming my grandfather isn’t coming.”

“You’re assuming correctly.”

Even though I suspected it, it’s a little disappointing that no one will be visiting me. “Won’t it be suspicious that no one will come?”

“A man and woman will be arriving as your parents.”

I stare at him. “So…fake parents.”

He dips his head again.

I don’t know what’s worse. Having no parents or fake ones. My throat tightens as I think about Mom and Dad who will never see me in this uniform or attend this prestigious school where I have every opportunity to chase whatever dreams I want.

Caleb must notice the look on my face becausehis eyes soften. He bends close to whisper, “I know this isn’t the life you envisioned for yourself. I’m sorry, but it has to be this way.”

“Yeah. I mean, I get it. Unless I want to return to my grandfather in a coffin…”

He searches my eyes. “I don’t think your safety is something to joke about, Addilyn.”

I throw my hands up. “How else am I supposed to handle the fact that there are people out there who want to kill me?”

“I understand this is hard.”

“Understatement. I don’t want fake parents. I want my…I want my…” My voice chokes up as tears flash in my eyes.