Page 239 of As the Rain Falls
It’s all a huge mess.
I make my way through the hall, finding Angelina snapping at every boy who tries to come closer, and Cassandra is in her arms, looking rightfully so terrified. Mateo is trying to keep them both behind him, pushing people back to prevent them from being stepped on.
They’re all arguing, trying to take pictures of them, and laughing about it like it’s a joke. I shove through the crowd, forcing it apart, and Cassandra’s eyes lock with mine.
We haven’t talked much. I feel like she’s been avoiding me, not even bothering to answer my texts and calls. But when I see her, I see recognition. It’s the kind of look that can only be translated as pure relief.
She starts to move, and the crowd yells louder, pressing in closer. “Beckett!”
“Back off!” Mateo shoves a guy twice his size, snarling at him as he tries to push him back. “I’m going to fucking kill you!”
“Beckett!” Cassandra calls for me, her voice shaky.
I gather her in my arms, looking around to find a group of teachers rushing to our aid. A loud sob tries to break free, but her lack of oxygen won’t allow it.
Where are the fucking adults?
I turn my back to the crowd, holding her tight, watching as Sainte Madeleine’s supervisor runs from an opposite direction, followed by Principal Rivera and two security guards. Too little, too late.
The crowd goes wild after they notice them coming, kids shoving and falling over each other. Mateo is throwing punches without really looking anymore, just trying to hit back at anyone. Antony calls out my name, being pulled further away from us. Angelina gets shoved and falls back.
Cassandra grips me so tightly, and all I can feel is her nails digging into my flesh, leaving bruises.
Get her out of here.
Get her out.
Get her out of this town.
I keep her from the chaos, shielding her from them as much as I can. The hallway is narrow, overcrowded with kids coming out of class, confused as to what’s really happening.
Someone tries to grab my shirt.
There’s no way out, I realize.They’re blocking us.
“Beckett?” Cassandra blurts out. “Beckett!”
“I’m right here.”
“I wouldn’t let her, so she did this, and theyallsaw me!”
“Shh.” I whisper, pressing my mouth to the top of her head.
Nervous energy radiates from her every move.
She’s on the verge of a panic attack.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t—” Cassandra cries, her teary eyes widening as she stares past me. She shakes her head, her voice so distant. “It’s all over for me. It’s all so…so, soover…”
Never.
Principal Rivera’s voice cuts through the noise, calling her by her name with authority. I hold her tighter, knowing that whatever this is, it won’t end just because he’s here now.
This is only the beginning, and I’m not surprised that out of all the people involved, the one who should be bearing all the fault is not here. Caleb Monteiro is nowhere to be seen.
TRIGGERS, HEIGHTENED IMPULSIVITY, AND RISKY BEHAVIOR
Beckett
