Page 74 of Everything She Feared

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Seattle, Washington

At Rainier Pine Elementary, Katie’s desk was covered with cards and drawings made by her classmates.

Colorful pictures of broken hearts, butterflies with tears and people hugging. They had handwritten messages that said things like:I’m so sorry for youandI said a prayer for you and your friend.

Before Katie had returned to school, her teacher, Mrs. Hadley, called Katie’s mom to offer her condolences and determine how Katie wanted to be welcomed back to class. After a discussion, they decided that Katie didn’t want to draw too much attention to herself but wanted Anna’s death to be acknowledged in some way.

“Hi, Katie. Welcome back.” Mrs. Hadley lowered herself at Katie’s desk while other students settled at their desks.

“Hi.”

“I’m very sorry that Anna died. I’m a good listener and I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

“Thank you.”

“The class wants to do something for you, then we’ll carry on, okay?”

“Alright.”

Mrs. Hadley gave Katie a little hug, then went to the front of the room.

“We’re happy to have Katie back, class. All of us are sad that her friend Anna has died. We talked about this, so now, if you want to give Katie a hug, you may. Is that okay with you, Katie?”

Katie nodded.

One by one, row by row, every student in the class but one came to Katie. They hugged her and told her they were sad for her, too, but happy she was back. When they finished and everyone was back in their seats, Mrs. Hadley started with a math lesson.

Later, outside at recess, Katie was talking with two other girls when Dylan Frick interrupted them by standing close and staring at Katie.

Dylan was in Katie’s class and the only person who hadn’t hugged her. He was also in the Sunny Days group and had been at the park the day Anna died.

“You’re being creepy and rude, Dylan,” one of the girls said.

His eyes burned into Katie’s.

“You know,” Dylan said, “some people are saying your friend didn’t fall taking a stupid selfie.”

Katie’s eyes narrowed and she began breathing hard.

“They think you’re a liar!” Dylan said.

“Don’t say that!”

“What’re you going to do to me? Liar!”

The muscles in Katie’s jaw bunched and she pushed Dylan’s chest with both hands.

“Whoa.” Dylan grinned. “Looks like you push people when you get mad.”

Katie held one finger of warning to Dylan’s face.

“You better stop telling lies.”

Katie eyed him coldly before she walked away.

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