Hidden Scars by Amanda King Read Free Book Online

it felt? “I don’t think so.”
    She eyed me, as if waiting for me to change my mind.
    Forcing myself to breathe normal, I held her gaze. And my tongue.
    After several excruciating seconds, she spoke. “I received a call from your mother today. She wanted to know why you had to work every weekend and how much longer I’d need your help.”
    A blast of adrenalin sped my heart rate. “What did you tell her?”
    “I told her you were working on a project for me and hopefully it would be finished soon.” She leaned forward. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
    Tears stung my eyes, and my chin began to quiver. “Mrs. Henderson, I can’t go home.”
    “Are you in trouble?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Morgan, I’ve been a dorm mother for the past three years. There have been a few girls along the way who made mistakes and got themselves in predicaments. The kind that can only be hidden for so long.”
    It took me a minute to realize what she’d accused me of. I jumped up from the bed and held my robe against my flat stomach. “I’m not pregnant. You can’t get pregnant if you’ve never had sex.”
    “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to imply—”
    “Yes, you were.” I glared at her with my jaw clenched.
    She covered her mouth with her hand and stared at the floor. The room was quiet.
    “You’re right, and I’m sorry.” She leaned back in the chair and studied me. “Please accept my apology.”
    I was so mad I couldn’t speak. Finally, I nodded.
    “Can I ask why you don’t go home? It’s not because of the distance. Your friends, Mimi and Becky, are from Greer, and they go home every week.”
    I fought a mental battle, torn between telling the whole ugly truth and keeping my mouth shut. I straddled the fence.
    “When my mother calls, I tell her I’m working, because I never want to go back there again. There’s nothing else to tell.”
    I squirmed as the room became quiet for only seconds before she continued. “All right. I won’t pry further. I know there’s a problem, and it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it now. But know I’m here if you ever need anything.”
    She stood and walked toward the door.
    Panic overrode my anger. “If my mother calls again, what will you tell her?”
    She took a step toward me. “I don’t know. I’m not in the habit of lying. In fact, I’ve never lied for a student before today. I just wish you’d trust me.” Before she left the room, she glanced at the roses then back at me. “He’s got good taste.”
    She knows. Maybe not every detail, but enough to get me pulled out of here. According to the calendar on the wall, there were six more weeks until my birthday.
    I knew Chuck had to be in the parking lot by now. I finished dressing, checked my reflection, and practiced a smile. Whatever he had planned for tonight, my emotional state was not going to mess things up.
    I left the dorm using the side door as usual. When I walked outside, Chuck stood there waiting.
    “Hey.” He reached for my hand. “I left my car at the library. If we walk along the back toward the football field, your dorm mother won’t be able to see us.”
    “Let’s go.” I gave him a smile like the one I practiced in my room.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.” I kept the smile plastered in place.
    “You’re not a good liar…with or without the smile.”
    “It’s not a big deal. I’m really okay.”
    “I know you, Morgan. You’re upset. I see it in your eyes.”
    “You’re right, but let’s walk and talk at the same time.”
    We began the roundabout path back to his car while I explained about Mom’s phone call to Mrs. Henderson, which led to her conversation with me.
    “It sounds like she cares and has figured out there’s a problem between you and your parents. Maybe you should level with her.”
    I shook my head. “No way. I can’t take a chance.”
    “What if she wants to help?”
    I stopped and faced him. “ No .”
    “Okay. You know