Page 81 of Silent Desires

“I really want to pick you up and carry you there. But you might want to walk?” I know what he means. I want to be wrapped in their arms, but I don’t want the other students to see me so weak being carried through the halls. I use the hoodie sleeve to wipe my face clean and offer both twins my hands to hold. They give me tiny smiles, the worry evident on their faces. As we pass my bag, Max grabs it and we head to the office.

I keep my face down the whole way there, but I have the impression everyone is staring at us. It’s lunch period, so there aren’t too many students in the hall, but I can still hear a lot of whispering as we pass.

I’m taken to the main office and the twins and I sit in Gideon’s office while Gideon and Tucker speak with the principal. We sit silently until Gideon comes in, followed by a female police officer. My hand grips the boys even harder. I’m terrified of the police. What if they think it’s my fault? My mother has told me so many bad stories about them. I’m not sure if they’re true, but they left a lasting impression.

“Hi Mina. I’m Officer Graydon. Is it okay if I speak to you alone for a few minutes about what happened?” Alone?! No way. I shake my head and keep my death grip on the twins’ hands.

Officer Graydon looks a little surprised at my reaction. “No, do you want your friends to stay with you?” I nod my head emphatically.

“Okay, that’s alright. Mr. Hargrove explained that you can’t speak. Is that correct?” I nod.

“Can you write?” I nod again. She pulls out a pad of paper and a pencil and places them on the desk in front of me. “Alright, can you explain to me, in your own words, what happened in the library today?”

I stare at the paper as the memory of Brad pressing me against the bookshelves flashes in my mind.I can’t do this.

Chapter fifty-two

“Alright, can you explain to me, in your own words, what happened in the library today?” Mina stares at the pad of paper for a few seconds before bursting into tears. Jasper immediately pulls her up so he can sit in the chair and hold her in his lap. She clings to him, and my heart breaks. We don’t know exactly what Brad did. All we know is what Tucker told us—that Brad attacked her. She doesn’t seem injured, so I don’t imagine it was that sort of attack. Her clothes all seem in place too, so hopefully, she’s just in shock and he didn’t actually do anything, not that it makes this situation any easier.

Jasper keeps soothing her while Officer Graydon watches patiently with a sad look on her face. “Shh, shh, it’s okay, Angel, it’s okay. I’ve got you now.” Her breathing hitches, and I can tell she’s trying to control her sobs.

“Sweetheart, just take your time. It’s best you do this now; otherwise, you’ll have to do it later or tomorrow. I’m sure you just want to put this behind you,” I say, and she nods into Jasper’s chest.

“It’s okay, Mina. Just take a few minutes, and when you’re ready, you can start writing. Take all the time you need,” the officer tells her kindly. Eventually, Mina calms down enough to compose herself. She turns to the paper, not looking like she has any intention of leaving Jasper’s lap. He keeps his arms wrapped around her, offering her his silent protection, which she clearly needs right now. It doesn’t take her long to write something down, and she passes the notebook to the officer.

Officer Graydon reads it quickly, then looks at Mina sadly. “I’m sorry, Mina, but I’m going to need much more detail than that. We’ll arrest him for what he’s done, but we need more specifics about what happened.” She hands the pad back to Mina, who nods. It takes Mina about ten minutes to write it all down. She constantly has to stop and take a few deep breaths before continuing. It’s clear this is hard for her and I’m so proud of how well she’s handling it.

When she’s finally finishes and goes to hand it over, I gently grab her wrist, getting her attention for a moment.

“Wait—Can… Can we read that first?” She shakes her head, looking worried.

“I don’t want to make you do it if you aren’t comfortable with us knowing, but, Sweetheart… We need to know what happened to help you heal, and I don’t want to make you write it out again.” She thinks for a minute, then passes it to me.

“I’m going to take a photo,” I tell her, pulling out my phone and meeting her eyes. “The others will want to know, too.” I hope she understands I’m referring to my brothers. She nods once, and I take a photo and pass the notebook to the officer. I read it at the same time she does.

It’s… not good. It could have been worse, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t traumatic. Thankfully, it seems Gideon and Tucker got there before it could escalate any further.

After asking a few follow-up questions, Officer Graydon leaves. Jasper hugs a quiet Mina to his chest and I pull out my phone, opening our guys’ group chat.

Tucker:Brad attacked Mina in the library. Me & G caught him in the act, and I took him to the office. Police have been called. Gideon and the twins are with her now.

Ben:Is she okay?

Atlas:We’re coming.

Dom:Is she hurt?

Tucker:I don’t think she’s physically hurt. I haven’t seen her since; she’s still with the others.

Gideon:She’s in my office with the twins, waiting for the police officer to take her statement.

Ben:She shouldn’t be doing that without a parent or guardian.

Gideon:I told Principal Clarkson and the officers that her mother isn’t attentive and would be at work anyway. They agreed not to contact her, for now, thankfully.

Dom:Good idea. Keep us updated.

Gideon:A female officer is with her and the twins now.

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