Free Frostbitten by Heather Beck

their school work.
Jack and Jill weren’t the only students who were distracted, though. Hearing
her name whispered around the classroom made it difficult for Anastasia to
concentrate on the formulas that Ms. Stevenson wrote on the whiteboard. She was
about to raise her hand and ask for extra help when her cell phone vibrated,
alerting her of an incoming text message.
    I was wrong about the
rumors, the message from Chloe read. They’re about Mr.
O’Donoghue. Everyone thinks you’re hooking up with him.
    Feeling sick and
overcome with confusion, Anastasia stared at the message for several moments,
praying that it would somehow change to read anything other than what it did.
Who would start such a rumor and why? It had absolutely no foundation, but
sadly, Anastasia knew that the most vicious rumors usually had no accuracy.
    A new text message from
Chloe caused Anastasia’s cell phone to vibrate again. This is harsh, but I
thought you should know what’s being said. I’m so sorry this is happening to
you . There was a link below the message which directed Anastasia to a very
active social media page. To her sheer horror, there were hundreds of posts
about her and Mr. O’Donoghue. Someone had even created a poll which asked
voters if they thought Mr. O’Donoghue would end up in jail. As Anastasia
continued to scroll through the page, she felt like crying. It seemed like
everyone had an opinion on the disconcerting topic, but the consensus was the
same: Mr. O’Donoghue was a pervert, and Anastasia was a slut.
    Anastasia was about to
shut her cell phone off when she saw the post, from an anonymous user, that had
started it all. Seems like that new girl, Anastasia, and Mr. O’Donoghue have
really hit it off. He was totally flirting with her during class, and she
stayed with him afterwards – behind closed doors, of course! Here’s a tip for
Anastasia and Mr. O’Donoghue: what you’re doing is illegal!
    “Will Anastasia
Lockhart please report to the principal’s office?” a voice suddenly came from
over the P.A. system.
    Several students turned
around in their seats to stare at Anastasia, causing her face to flush with
embarrassment. She couldn’t believe this was happening, especially since it was
only her second day at Cedar Falls High. It was like some twisted form of karma
kept her from leading a normal life.
    “The principal’s
waiting for you, Anastasia,” Ms. Stevenson warned in a stern tone.
    “In case you don’t
know, his office is located beside the front doors,” Jill told Anastasia with a
very smug smile.
    Feeling heavy-footed
and almost numb, Anastasia slowly rose and walked out of the classroom. As she
made her way down the empty hallway, dread overcame her. She knew that this had
to be about Mr. O’Donoghue. What else could it possibly be? Anastasia reminded
herself that she hadn’t done anything wrong, but unfortunately, that thought
did nothing to ease her nerves. This was going to be bad.
    Like an ominous sign, a
door marked Principal’s Office in large black lettering came into view.
Anastasia took a deep breath and then knocked upon the door. Seconds later, it
opened to reveal a tall, heavy-set man with thick black hair and glasses which
were several sizes too big.
    “Come in, Anastasia,”
he said, before stepping aside and opening the door wider.
    The office was
inviting, spacious and accentuated by a variety of thriving potted plants;
however, Anastasia couldn’t help but feel on edge. She took the chair the
principal offered to her and then squirmed anxiously. Anastasia wanted to get
whatever this was over with as quickly as possible.
    “I’m Principal Keith,”
he said, while sitting down behind his large desk that was cluttered with
stacks of paper.
    Anastasia merely
offered a small smile in response.
    “You’re not in
trouble,” Principal Keith reassured her in a tone which was gentler than
expected for a man with such an imposing physical appearance.
    “Why did you want