I’d reacted without thinking, given them what they needed to make my life a living hell.
“Call the office!”
It didn’t take long for Mr. Thomas to race to my classroom, the look of disappointment on his face letting me know how bad I’d fucked up. I’d been counting down the days for him to be transferred to his new job, hating that he had so effortlessly stepped into my father’s shoes and intertwined himself into every aspect of my life. But I knew that if he weren’t the one standing before me in this moment, I’d be in the back of a cop car again.
“It’s okay.” He held out his hand, and slowly Mr. Jones released his grip on me. I shrugged free, taking one last glance around the room before storming off past Mr. Thomas and out of the classroom door.
He was quick on my heels as I angrily stomped down the hall. “Where is she? Why haven’t I seen her all day?”
“Ryder, you can’t keep acting like this. I can’t help you anymore. Your mother is going to lose her mind when she finds out what you just did.”
I stopped and turned to face him, causing him to stop suddenly to avoid running into me. “Then don’t tell her.” At sixteen I was an inch taller than him, and I could see hesitation in his eyes. He was like them. He believed I was some kind of monster and I was dangerously close to falling over the edge.
“I can’t keep secrets from your mother.” He shook his head, but I could see the lack of confidence in his stance. He was lying. But I didn’t have time to worry about his problems.
I lowered my voice, begging for someone to see reason. “I would never hurt Katie. I would never do the things they are saying I tried to do to her. I was protecting her from Bryce.”
“I know that. I know.” He nodded, but I knew he was placating me, hoping to defuse the situation. He wasn’t hearing anything I was saying, and it was infuriating.
“Then why are you looking at me like they do? Why won’t you tell me where she is so I can see that she’s okay?”
“Come to my office, and I can explain.” His voice was too calm, and I wanted to scream at him, to make him understand how serious this was.
“Explain it now.” My jaw was clenched in anger, and I knew I was getting louder. It wouldn’t be long until a teacher became curious and stuck his head out in the hall.
He sighed, his shoulders dropping fractionally as he rubbed his fingers over his forehead, as if to force the right answer to appear. “Her mother signed her out of school this morning. She’s moving to her father’s in North Carolina. She’s safe. You don’t need to worry about her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? How could you not tell me? You can’t let them do this. I need to see her.”
“I don’t have a choice, and honestly, I think it might be for the best. You’re too wrapped up in her. At your age you should be going on dates with different girls and hanging out with friends. Had I known about the two of you sooner, I would have intervened. You got arrested, Ryder. You brought the cops to your mother’s door. That can’t happen again.”
“No. You don’t understand. She’s not just some girl. Katie was there for me when I had no one.”
“You have your mother. You have me. After your father died…” His voice died as I lurched toward him.
“No!” I was in his face, my breathing coming so rapidly, my chest was pressed against his. “You don’t get to talk about my dad. You don’t get to say shit. You barely waited until his body was cold before you were all over my mom.”
“That’s not fair, Ryder. You’re projecting your anger onto me.”
“If I was, you’d fucking know it. I have to see her before she goes.” I turned to walk away, no plan in mind. I just needed to tell Katie that I’d wait for her or I’d run with her.
Mr. Thomas grabbed my arm, and I spun around, causing him to flinch as if I’d hit him. “Think things through, Ryder. You’re only going to cause her more trouble, cause all of us more trouble. This is what is best for Katie.”
“I’m what’s best for Katie. I was only trying to protect her, and you left me with no way to talk to her, to make sure she was safe. She wouldn’t leave without saying good-bye.” I ran my fingers through my hair, gripping it and pulling, adrenaline causing me to shake with anger. I couldn’t get my thoughts in order. Katie had always been the voice of reason, the only thing that could stop my mind from racing.
Mr. Thomas put his hand on my shoulder, pity in his expression. “First love is the hardest to get over. If you just give it some time—”