Chapter 7

                                    

                                          
[Friday]
Today was the disciplinary hearing, and none of the girls were ready for what was to come. They stood in an empty classroom with their parents. Faran's mom, Corey, addressed them sternly, "Whatever happens in there, keep your mouths shut. Let me do the talking, and don't agree to anything in the room"
The door opened, and Principal Clanton walked in, "Sorry to keep you waiting. The...uh, disciplinary committee meeting has been postponed..." The girls exchanged confused looks, "...to a later date" He continued
"Why? What happened?" Faran asked
"Kelly Beasley came to see me this morning. She admitted that Karen was in the rafters with the specific intention of harming Imogen at the Spirit Week Dance. She even provided some evidence" Principal Clanton explained
Imogen looked surprised, "The bucket?"
"I can't say any more. But it seems that what we have here is a tragic but accidental death" He said
"What does that mean for us? For our daughters?" Asked Tabby's mom, Sidney
"Given these new circumstances, I don't believe the committee is seeking expulsion anymore. A two-week suspension or four weeks of detention have been discussed. We'll let you decide" He replied before walking out
The group let out a collective sigh of relief. Juliette glanced back at Noa and smiled, which Noa reciprocated. Just as some of the tension began to leave Juliette's shoulders, she felt a firm hand grip her arm.
"Juliette, a word" Her mother, Hadley, demanded in a tone that left no room for argument
Hadley dragged her out of the room, her grip unrelenting. Juliette stumbled slightly as her mother pulled her into the hallway, away from the others, "What were you thinking?" Hadley hissed, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and disappointment, "Do you have any idea how close you came to ruining everything? This is not how we raised you"
"Mom, I didn't—" Juliette tried to speak, but it was no use
With one swing, Hadley's hand came back and slapped Juliette across the face. The sound could've been heard all the way in Rosewood but Hadley didn't care, she was enraged at her daughter. Juliette's hand flew to her face, shock coursing through her, as her mother seethed at her, "You are so lucky you got off with just suspension or detention. Do you realize how serious this could have been? If you ever mess up like this again, I won't be there to protect you. Neither will your father. You will be on your own. Do you understand me?"
Juliette nodded, her throat tight, cheek throbbing, and her eyes stinging with unshed tears, "Yes, Mom" She whispered, her voice barely audible
"Good" Hadley said, her grip finally loosening, "Get back in there and keep your head down. We'll discuss this more later"
As Hadley turned and walked back into the room, Juliette took a moment to steady herself, wiping away a stray tear. Unbeknownst to Juliette, Noa had stood in the doorway, watching the whole scene unfold between the Thompson's. The moment that Hadley had slapped Juliette, Noa felt this anger flow through her that she's never felt before. She wanted nothing more than to stop Hadley but she didn't.
She froze.
Noa's heart broke for Juliette, not realizing just how bad her mother treats her. Their conversation on the way to the dance and Juliette's falling injury echoed in the back of Noa's mind.
After collecting herself, Juliette re-entered the room, trying to appear unfazed by her mother's harsh words and the second slap in the matter of days, "Who's hungry?" Sidney asked, trying to lighten the mood