The Leap [✔]

Chapter Thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-three

A lot of students are sitting at tables, ordering food or already devouring french fries and sodas. They must ave had the same decision to ditch classes, but I wonder how many are left at the school.

We walk into the Dinner and Carla Dean struts toward us, her face blazing in anger.

Aidan and Ben step in front of me, like the helicopter brothers they are. Austin wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I lean into him, taking my weight off my legs.

"I can't believe you idiots," Carla begins, pointing her finger.

Yesterday she was expelled from school. Apparently, not only had her boyfriend Adam been selling prescription pain medications, so had she.

I snort, pushing past my brothers and Austin's arm drops from my shoulder. "You're the idiot. Cheating on exams and tests, bullying, and selling drugs," I say, standing up to her. "You deserve to be expelled, to not graduate, to have whatever comes at you."

Carla cliches her fists, narrowing her eyes.

"People don't like you Carla because you're mean. You treat people like they are the dirt under you're shoes," I point to Carla's friends behind her, who are staring at us. "Your friends don't like you because you're a great person to be around, but because they're scared of you. So, whatever you're next step is, I hope that you gain a little bit of morality and compassion and have respect for not only the people around you, but also your self."

She stands in shock and I hobble past her, heading to an empty booth as my brother, Andrea, Austin, and the people from school cheer. I hear a loud screech and glance behind me to see Carla leaving, storming out of the Dinner.

"That was amazing," Andrea say, catching up to me. We sit down in the booth. Austin sits beside me, and Aiden and Ben sit beside Andrea. Each of them have wide, amused grins on their faces.

"What?" I ask, shrugging. "Someone had to tell her."

Austin smiles. "I'm glad you did," he says, flipping open the menu like he doesn't know whats on it.

Aiden fist bumps me. "My baby sister is a bad ass," Aiden says, laughing.

"I wish Whitney had of been here," Ben says.

"Where is she anyway?"

"She left for Christmas break early with her parents to Florida to visit her grandparents."

I pull back, surprised. "What? Is something wrong with her parents?" I ask, remembering how strict and uptight Patricia is with her daughter.

Ben laughs, shaking his head. "No. I guess her grandmother told Patricia to take the stick out of her ass and let Whitney have some freedom." Huh, funny how words can make such a difference.

Winston, a waiter comes to take out order. He smiles, taking out a pad and pen. "What can I get you folks?"

***

I keep a steady hand on the metal bar, my arms shaking a little.

I'm almost to the end. Just a few more steps.

"You did it," Mara says, clapping her hands. "You're really coming along, Emma," she says, stepping back and helping guide me to a chair. We're in her office, finishing up my last physiotherapy before the holidays.