Nets and Lies by Katie Ashley Page B

throughout the school about what’s happened. It might be better if you went home and took it easy today.”
    After experiencing what I had earlier in the day, leaving school was a tempting thought. But one person’s face flashed before me.
    Will.
    Pain radiated through my chest at the thought of what he must be feeling or going through—if he was even here at school today.
    I glanced at the faces peering expectantly at me. I shook my head. “If I did that, then everyone would think I’d bailed because it was true . ” But it is true. You were raped, Mel . I jerked my chin up. “No, I want to go to class. I want to be with my friends.” Why? So you can become exhausted by keeping up your little façade that nothing happened? So you can reassure each and every one of them it isn’t possible Coach T raped you when you know good and well he did?
    Mom exchanged a look with Dad, and he nodded. “I suppose it’s all right if you stay.”
    “Thanks.” I gathered up my purse and backpack.
    Mom hopped up and hugged me. “It’s going to be all right, sweetie.” In her comforting embrace, I almost believed her. But deep down I knew it wouldn’t. Too much had happened for things to ever be all right.
    “Thanks, Mom,” I murmured.
    Before I could make it to the door, Dad stepped forward and hugged me, too. Oh Daddy, I wish for just one instant you could have wrapped your mind around it, considered it, contemplated it. I’m not your little girl anymore. You’d kill him if you knew the truth. You wouldn’t stand here and defend him. You’d break his neck. “Call us if you need us. I’ll call Garrison when I leave here to represent you,” he said.
    I nodded. “Okay then.”
    Detective Pendley stood in my path. “Ms. Reeves, we’ll need to talk with you tomorrow morning. Is nine am all right?”
    No! No, it’s not all right. I don’t ever want to see you again, least of all talk to you! You’ll keep on and on until you break me to get the truth. Before I could respond, Dad said, “If it’s feasible with her attorney.”
    Detective Pendley nodded. I didn’t say anything else as I sidestepped past him out the door. I blushed at the looks the secretaries gave me. “Melanie, do you need a pass?” Mrs. Tillery asked.
    Staring out the glass office, I saw the bell ending first period had just rung, and the halls were crowded.
    “No, thank you. I’ll be fine.”
    “All right. Have a good day.”
    “Thanks,” I mumbled.
    Even though I kept my head down in the hallway, I could feel the looks burning into me. I quickened my pace, desperate to make it to the gym. At the mere thoughts of walking through those doors, my chest tightened. There would be no Coach T there. For four years I depended on him as part of my day. I was guaranteed to find him dribbling basketballs balls or setting up the volleyball net.
    But he wouldn’t be there today. He wouldn’t be grinning and joking with the other coaches. He wouldn’t be there to tease me or ride me about missing an easy shot.
    Bitter tears stung my eyes. You’re so stupid, Mel. Did you honestly think it would ever be the same? That you could just walk back in those doors like you did on Monday and pretend that it never happened? I was almost to the gym door when someone caught me by the arm.
    It was Will.
    “I need to talk to you,” he whispered.
    I didn’t bother arguing. Instead, I let him lead me past the gym out the back door to the parking lot. We stopped when we got behind the field house.
    I dropped my book bag and purse and stared expectantly at him. When I did, I gasped. I’d never seen him so shaken. His body trembled, and his face was ashen. His emotional pain crushed him physically. And that broke my heart.
    He stood with his lip quivering like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
    “Will?”
    Finally, he lowered his head. “Is what they’re saying about my…” he choked on the words.
    No, please don’t ask that. Ask me anything else.