Chapter 5
That day, I decided to skip the rest of my classes and headed straight home. Once inside my room, I tore through the place, leaving my bookshelves, closet, and storage bins in complete disarray.
I grabbed a large cardboard box and started collecting everything Brian Robinson had ever given me, from childhood trinkets to more recent gifts, tossing them in without a second thought. The box was overflowing, and I was confident I'd gathered it all.
Determined, I dragged the box downstairs and dumped everything into the trash bin. My parents hadn't arrived home yet, so I called my mom.
"Hey, sweetheart, what's going on?"
"Mom, when you get home, could you talk to Martin and Victoria and let them know Brian and I are over? Plus," I added sharply, "from now on, Brian's not welcome in our house anymore. I want him to keep his distance."
When my mom got home, her expression shifted to anger and concern as soon as she saw the red mark on my face. I recounted the events of the last few days, and with every word, her anger intensified. Without delay, she marched over to the Robinsons’ door.
Victoria looked stunned as my mom detailed everything—how Brian had slapped me, stood by while a new student verbally bullied me, and even defended that student.
Victoria's face alternated between shades of red and white. Our families had been close for years, but today marked the beginning of a rift because of what happened.
But my mom didn't hold me responsible. Instead, she reassured me, saying, "Gabrielle, we won't let anyone push us around. Whatever choices you make, your dad and I are fully behind you."
Finally, all the frustration and sadness I'd been holding back surged forth, leaving me with a lump in my throat. I buried my head in my mom's shoulder and sobbed.
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