Understand the pain

　　BEN

　　Shit. Shit. Shit.

　　Olivia’s mum is not picking. I try again but her number goes straight to voicemail. As always, she’s never there when her daughter needs her. I kick the air and let out a guttural groan. My fingers slip into my scalp and I tug on my hair. I should be on my way to the clinic Olivia was transferred to but I need to speak to Gracie first. Thinking of the last few minutes makes my head hurt. That was unlike her.

　　I stop pacing in front of the principal’s office once the door opens. Gracie walks out with a smile that grows bigger when she sees me. Her knuckles are bruised and there’s a cut on her lips but she’s smiling.

　　Holding her in my arms, nose buried in her hair, I breathe her in. She scared me. “What did he say?”

　　“I’m suspended,” she answers with a shrug.

　　For someone who is getting into trouble for the first time, she looks pleased with herself. “How long?”

　　“Two weeks.”