I smile and she shakes my hand. “Hello, Brielle.”
Oh, she’s gorgeous, naturally pretty, and she’s wearing navy pants with a white shirt.
“Hi, Lola. It’s lovely to meet you.”
She runs her hand over her thighs, obviously nervous, and Will comes down the stairs. Lola looks up at Will and smiles softly when their eyes meet.
Willow is wearing her blue date dress, as well as her heels. She looks absolutely beautiful. Her hair is down and curled, and she has soft makeup on which highlight all her best features.
She walks down the stairs, and Lola watches on. I glance between the two of them and start to feel like I’m having an out of body experience.
My heart beats wildly in my chest as I watch the two of them silently interact with one another.
Oh, my God.
Why didn’t I see this before?
You stupid fool, Brielle.
This isn’t a friendly movie night.
This is a date.
I think Willow might be gay.
I sit in the car outside Will’s school on Monday afternoon. She finishes at 2:00 p. m. today. I’ve been wracking my brain all weekend about how to talk to her about her sexuality. I didn’t say anything to Julian. How could I when I don’t even know if my suspicions are true?
I spoke to Emerson at lunch yesterday about it in great length, and we both came to the conclusion that Willow has to tell me herself. I can’t approach her about it. It may just be a stage and I don’t want to make it a bigger thing than it needs to be. All I can do is support her and be here for her when she needs me.
The school bell rings, and I sit and wait as the children all start streaming out of the school. Eventually, the cars all start leaving. Most of the children are gone, so where is she?
I glance at my watch. It’s now 2:17 p. m.
I wait and I wait.
The parking lot is completely empty now. I call her cell, but there’s no answer.
Where is she?
2:35 p. m.
What the fuck?
I begin to bounce my leg. I have to leave now or I’m going to be late picking Sammy up. I try to call her again.
No answer.
I call Frances. “Hello, darling,” she answers.
“Are you at home? Can you do me a favour?” I ask.
“Of course, what’s wrong?”
“I can’t find Will and I’m going to be late picking Samuel up if I wait.”
“That’s fine, I can get him.”
“Oh, could you? Thank you.”
“Of course, but where’s Willow?”
“I don’t know. She hasn’t come out of the school yet. I’m going to go in and look for her now.”
“Okay, dear. We’ll see you back at your place.”
I call Julian. “Hey, babe,” he answers.
“Have you heard from Will?” “No, why?”
“She hasn’t come out of school. I’ve been here for nearly an hour now.”
“She’s probably in detention or the library or something. I’ll call her now. I’m just about to leave for home anyway,” he says. “Court has finished for the day.”
I frown. “Okay, see you at home.”
I get out of the car, make my way into the main block of the school, and I head down the corridor. The school is completely deserted.
What the hell? Where are all the teachers? Does the school just completely clear out in half an hour?
I walk down to the maths block and back over to the Library, but there’s nobody in sight.
Is she even at school today?
I begin to panic.
Has something happened? This isn’t like her at all.
I begin to jog down the corridor, dialling her number again as I run with my heart racing in my chest.
I hear her phone ring, and I quickly look around. I find her school bag outside a science lab. I bend down and open up the bag, taking out her phone as it rings. The name Brelly lights up the screen.
It’s definitely her bag.
Where the fuck is she?
“Will?” I call. “Willow, are you here?” I open the classroom door. “Willow?”
I hear a bang on a storeroom door, and I run to find it locked on the outside. I turn the lock and pull the heavy door open to find Willow wet with tears and perspiration. She falls into my arms. “Baby, what happened?” I whisper, horrified.
She sobs against my chest, shaking with fear.
“Did they lock you in there?”
She nods as she cries in complete distress.
“Oh, pumpkin.”
I hold her tight. She’s so distraught that she slides down my body and I can’t hold her upright. We end up sitting on the floor together in an embrace.
I take out my phone and call Julian. He answers on the first ring. “Where was she?”
“I found her. She was locked in the storeroom. Call the police and get to the school right now. I think she needs to go to the hospital.”
“Jesus Christ, is she okay?”
“No, Julian.” I cry. “She’s not.”
Her body begins to convulse as I hang up the phone. She’s going into shock and I hold her tight, calling an ambulance myself.
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper as I rock her. “You don’t have to come back here. Not ever.” I continue to rock her. “I promise you, you won’t come back here ever again.”
Guilty tears run down my face. I should have done more to protect her.
I should have done more.
Willow stares out of the window, devoid of emotion.
The hospital room is dimly lit now. She’s been given medication to calm her down. It’s 10:00 p. m. and they won’t discharge her tonight.
Julian sits in a chair on one side of the bed with Sammy on his lap, while I sit on the other side in a big chair. Willow hasn’t let go of my hand for over two hours.
Julian’s furious-like, thermonuclear furious. The police have been to take a statement, but Will burst into tears as soon as they arrived. I asked them to leave and come back another time. She just can’t deal with it right now.
Julian hasn’t spoken to me since we got here. I can tell he’s annoyed that I stepped in and overruled him. He stares at the floor in front of him. I know he’s blaming himself as much as I am.
This is just one big fucking mess.
“I’m tired,” Sammy whispers, rubbing his eyes.
“I know, buddy,” Julian murmurs as he kisses his head. “We’ll get going soon.”
“You’re going?” Willow whispers in a panic, her eyes flickering between us.
“No, baby, I’m staying,” I reassure her.
Julian’s angry eyes rise to meet mine and I look away. Jesus, don’t start your angry shit now. I am not in the fucking mood.
“Do you want to stay with her, Julian, and I can take Sammy home?” I offer.
“No, Brell, I want you,” Willow whispers.
Julian clenches his jaw and stands, openly annoyed that she wants me to stay with her over him. “I’ll go then,” he says. Firmly.
“Julian,” I sigh.
“It’s fine,” he snaps before he kisses Willow on the forehead. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
With one last look at the both of us, he takes Samuel’s hand and leads him out into the corridor.
Willow squeezes my hand, and I push the hair back from her forehead, smiling softly. “You should try and get some sleep, pumpkin,” I whisper.
“You’re not leaving me, are you?” She frowns with worry.
“No, I’ll be right here all night.”
She relaxes and closes her eyes, snuggling into my hand.
I take out my phone and text Julian.
Goodnight, Jules
I love you
xx
I wait for my reply but it never arrives.
I exhale heavily and slink back into my chair. It’s going to be a long, long night.
I wake in the chair with a start. It’s early morning and Julian is sitting beside Will with his hands are clasped in front of him. “Hey,” I whisper.
He smiles. “Hey.”
“You okay?” I ask.
He nods. “Sorry about last night.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Tough day yesterday.”
My eyes roam to Will. She’s sleeping peacefully.
I gesture to the bathroom and make my way inside. Moments later, Julian follows, shutting the door behind him. He takes me into his arms and we stand in an embrace.
“I missed you last night,” I whisper.
“Me, too.” He kisses me softly. “Did she sleep okay?”
“Yeah, she was zonked out the whole night.”
“Have you slept?” He looks down at me and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.
“No, I just napped. I’m fine, though” I kiss him again. “I’m sorry she wanted me to stay last night. I’ve felt bad about it all night. You should have stayed with her. She’s your daughter, not mine.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m just not used to having someone else to rely on.” He blows out a deep breath. “I acted like a spoilt brat last night when she didn’t want me.”
I smile up at him. “I love my spoilt brat.”