Page 2 of Their Obsession

I nod again, my throat too sore to speak.

“Glad we could work something out,” he laughs as he gives my head one final sharp shove into the locker, the impact causing stars to dance across my vision.

“You got what you wanted. Now kindly fuck off, Fischer,” Emily shouts from somewhere behind us.

But I can’t see her. I can’t see the countless other faces in the hallway. My gaze is fixed on a set of piercing dark irises that are locked on my own from the end of the hallway. Looming like some type of devilish monster in the crowd of students is Dom Volkkon. And he’s looking at me like he’s ready to kill me.

“Did you hear the news?” Emily asks in a whisper as she slidesinto the desk next to me in Mr. Mills’ English class.

I only partially hear her though. After what happened last week in the hallway with the Ice Devils, I’m still not feeling entirely like myself. I pull the turtle neck I’m wearing up higher. I’m definitely overheating in this oversized sweater but it’s the only turtle neck I own, and I needed something to cover up the massive bruises still staining my neck from where Peter grabbed me. Disgusting purple and black marks dot the skin of my throat and upper arm. I spent the weekend sulking in my room, hoping that they’d fade before Monday, but of course I wasn’t so lucky.

“What news?” I ask her as students continue to file into their desks before the fourth period bell rings.

“About Peter!” she whisper yells. “It’s all anyone could talk about this morning.”

I am usually not part of the regular gossip tree; in fact, unless Emily fills me in on the latest school drama, then I’m usually completely out of the loop. In retrospect, it did seem like people were more abuzz than usual during my first few periods, but I tried to just tune it out and focus on my schoolwork. I honestly could not care less about who’s girlfriend or ex-girlfriend my bully hooked up with this weekend.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I tell her.

She opens her mouth to tell me about what’s going on but she’s interrupted by the intercom. The sound of the crackling speakers fills the room, forcing everyone into hushed tones.

“Lilliana Pettersen to the principal’s office, please. Lilliana Pettersen to the principal’s office.” The voice of the school secretary booms through the buzzing speaker box.

Thirty sets of eyes turn to stare at me. I feel all the blood drain from my face, a lump forming in my throat as panicked thoughts fill my head. I’ve never been called to the principal’s office before. I’m practically invisible here. No one pays me any attention. Well, except right now when my entire fourth periodclass is staring straight at me. Several students turn to their neighbors, whispering frantically in between shooting quick glances in my direction. What the hell is going on?

“That’s what I was trying to tell you,” Emily frantically tries to tell me. “This weekend, Peter—.”

“Ms. Pettersen, let’s go. Head to the office with all your things,” Mr. Mills, our teacher, tells me.

Hastily, I throw my backpack over my shoulder and gather my notebook and pen in my arms. Soft whispers follow me through the rows of desks and out the door. I cast my eyes to the floor, hiding behind a curtain of my strawberry-blonde hair. When I turn back, Emily looks worried. I have no idea what’s going on, but this doesn’t seem good.

Sulking through the empty hallways, I take my time wandering to the front office. I think through everything that happened in the last few days. Is it possible that they caught Peter cheating, and he turned me in? Do they think I willingly let them copy off of me? Am I about to be expelled? My chest tightens with anxiety to the point that I can barely breathe. They’ll have to believe that I didn’t want any part of this once I show them the bruises. Right?

Entering the front office, I’m met with a stare full of pity from the secretary. Oh my god, I am getting expelled, that’s why she’s giving me that look. Tears begin to well in my eyes. I’ll never get into college if I get expelled in my final semester. College is my key to getting out of this town and away from these people. The weight of my entire future beginning to crumble around me makes each step heavier than the last.

“He’s waiting for you,” the secretary informs me as she waves me past her desk and further into the front office.

Behind her is a hallway with several doors to the various offices located here. All the way in the back is the principal’s office. I hesitantly knock on the heavy wooden surface as I attempt toswallow down the anxiety currently racking through my entire being.

“Come in,” the deep voice of Mr. Hugger, our school principal, bellows from within.

I take in a deep breath, releasing it slowly, before pushing open the door. I’m surprised to see two men sitting inside—Mr. Hugger and someone I’ve never seen before. Next to them is my mother.

“Come, sweetheart.” My mother beckons me forward.

“Wha—what is going on?” I manage to choke out as I stand petrified in the doorway.

“You’re not in trouble, dear. Now, come sit.” My mother’s tone leaves no room for argument.

As if on autopilot, my feet move across the room to the empty seat beside her. I place my bag down, but sit on the edge of my seat, ready to flee if needed.

“We don’t know that yet, ma’am,” the unknown man in the cheap suit and blue plaid tie says to my mom.

He looks to be in his forties with graying hair and lines at the corners of his eyes. In his hand he holds a small notebook. His stormy eyes flick to me, assessing me. I look away, too uncomfortable and confused to meet his gaze.

“Oh, please,” my mom flicks the neatly manicured fingers of her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Just look at her—there’s no way my little girl was involved in that boy’s disappearance.”

I sit in stunned silence for a moment, unbelieving of the words I just heard. My head snaps towards my mother, trying to see if maybe I misheard her. But I can’t read her. Her long blonde hair and pounds of make-up act like armor, hiding her truths to the outside world. But I must have misheard. There’s no way anyone could truly think I had anything to do with this.

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