Page 53 of Unmasking You

“You’ve never acted out before, and if you did today, I believe it’s because you know something we don’t know. I can’t justify what you did, but I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“Mr Campbell, my office please.”

When we reach the office my father is waiting outside, his face as dark as the night without the moon. I tremble, but I clench my hands until they’re closed in fists and it stops.

“What happened?”

“We had a problem yesterday between two students…”

I let the headmaster’s voice trail off, because I lived that story and I don’t need to hear his untrue version.

A smack at the nape of my neck brings me back to the room. “Listen,” my father orders me.

“We have a strict policy of no violence in school, so we have to expel Shane.”

“What if I take him out of school. Can we avoid making a mess of the Campbell name?”

“I can work with that. But I can’t guarantee that Mr Edwards Senior won’t press charges.”

“I’ll deal with it.”

“Shane, I’m sorry. I know how hard it must have been to see what happened yesterday.”

I don’t reply and keep looking at the floor.

“Shane,” my father says sternly while already walking to the door.

I don’t care what happens to me. I just need to know that Jamie’s okay.

My father doesn’t even wait for us to get home. As soon as we’re in the car, behind the tinted windows, he tears into me.

“I have a fucking idiot as a son. Why did you have to ruin everything?”

“He was bullying Jamie.”

“Who’s Jamie?” He shakes his head before I can answer. “I don’t care who he is. I’ve asked you only one thing, to keep the Campbell name out of people’s mouths, and instead you made a mess.”

With the way he’s clenching and unclenching his hands, I’m afraid he’ll hit me. Instead, he speaks again.

“You’re going to boarding school. Away from here, so you won’t have the chance to talk to any of those idiots you call friends. I’m going to confiscate your phone.” He takes a pause to get some air, and then continues. “As soon as we’re at home, I want you to go to your room and get your stuff ready. We’re leaving tonight.”

“Sir.”

“Do. Not. Talk. I don’t want to hear a sound coming from your mouth. Are we clear?”

I nod. And I’m glad it’s enough for him.

I place a mask on my face, the one he so long ago made me wear. This time it’s not to please him, but so he can’t understand the pain he’s inflicting on me.

I make a promise to myself in this moment of desperation.

One day I’ll be free.One day I’ll meet Jamie and ask for forgiveness. I only hope he’ll be the same wonderful boy I let slip through my fingers like sand.

Chapter 19

Jamie

“I’m ready to talk,” I say with a lightness that I don’t feel.

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