Posted by PK on April 14, 2003 at 17:41:53:
"Are you aware that Douglas is in the hopital now?"
Amanda shrugged minimally, not in defiance but in something close to
contempt. Disinterest? Apathy?
The headmistress shook her head. "Do you know what that means?"
The thirteen year old girl's head moved slightly. She seemed to be
avoiding eye contact.
"You may be expelled."
No reaction.
The headmistress suppressed a sigh of despair. "Would you mind
explaining to me why you did it?"
Another minimal shake of the head. "You wouldn't understand."
Exasperation. "Do try. And look at me when you speak."
The child's head lifted. Something seemed to change in her. "He had it
coming," she said.
Charlotte, fresh from the shower, how beautiful she was. Amanda had
wanted to love her, eat her up...
She wouldn't understand. Nobody could, Amanda didn't expect it. She just
didn't like to be challenged. Feline genes, she kidded herself. Old SF
books. Alpha Ralpha Boulevard. Vesta the Vegian.
"You have to learn," the scrawny old owl wittered on, "that violence is
not the solution to all life's problems.."
What else could I have done? Amanda wanted to say. He was...
Raping her. No, he wasn't. He just had her pinned against the wall and
she was embarrassed and I...
"I overreacted," Amanda said. "I'm sorry." Her eyes evaded. The Owl saw
all, Amanda realised. Pretend? Won't work.
It HAD been embarrassing. And exhilarating. She'd gone berserk, just for
a few seconds. Taller and stronger than most girls, she hadn't often
needed to fight.
"I'm sorry," Amanda said again. "Or rather, I apologise. I won't do it
again." The lie burned in her guts. Never do this again, she promised
herself. Never have to.
Paul