Chapter 10 - THE GIRL IN PINK
Ava had never been told no for long.
If she wanted a dress, Madison bought it.
If she disliked a teacher, Grant complained.
If another child refused to follow her, Madison called the child jealous.
But Ava had never watched her mother destroy someone’s life before.
She replayed the video inside her closet.
It began as a joke.
Ava had been filming Ethan and his friends through the white fence.
She planned to post a video mocking their worn soccer ball.
“Look at the cheap neighborhood team,” she whispered into the camera.
Ethan kicked.
The ball struck the sprinkler.
It changed direction.
Ava’s eyes widened.
The screen shook when the ball hit her face.
Then Madison’s voice appeared.
“Don’t move.”
Ava began crying.
“Mom, it was an accident.”
“Stay still and let me handle this.”
The recording continued from the pavement.
It captured Rebecca running outside.
It captured Madison saying Ethan attacked Ava deliberately.
It captured Rebecca’s slap.
Then Madison noticed the tablet.
The video ended.
Ava closed it.
She had lied at school because Madison squeezed her shoulder.
She had remained silent while Ethan was suspended.
She had watched strangers call him violent.
For the first time, special treatment did not feel like protection.
It felt like becoming her mother.
At lunch the next day, Ava saw Ethan sitting alone.
She approached him.
He gathered his books.
“Wait.”
Ethan said nothing.
“The message was from me.”
He looked at her.
“Why did you lie?”
Ava glanced toward the school entrance.
Madison’s SUV waited outside.
“My mom said people would blame me if I told them I was recording you.”
“You let them blame me.”
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan picked up his books.
“You already knew you were sorry.”
“What does that mean?”
“You sent a message and deleted it.”
“My mom deleted it.”
“But you still lied in the office.”
Ava had no answer.
Ethan walked away.
Madison entered the cafeteria without permission.
She crossed directly toward Ava.
“What did you tell him?”
“Nothing.”
Madison bent close.
“We protect our family.”
Ava looked at Ethan’s back.
“No.”
May you like
Her voice trembled.
“You protect yourself.”
