Free Frostbitten by Heather Beck Page A

to
see me?” Anastasia asked, trying to keep her voice steady and her expression
one of naivety.
    “It’s come to my
attention that unprofessional behavior may be occurring between a student and
faculty member. Do you know anything about this matter?”
    Remaining silent,
Anastasia thought about how she should respond. If she claimed to be ignorant
of the matter, it might look like she had something to hide. On the other hand,
if she confessed to knowing about the rumor, that would also appear suspicious.
    “Anastasia?” Principal
Keith interrupted her thoughts.
    “I...” Anastasia
replied, unable to say anything else.
    “You can be honest with
me,” Principal Keith reassured her for a second time. “My job is to ensure a
safe and healthy environment for all students. I’m here to help you,
Anastasia.”
    The old Anastasia would
have played dumb just to avoid any trouble which could potentially befall her.
However, she now wanted to be a stronger and better person. After all, the
innocent Mr. O’Donoghue was the one with the most to lose, and that wasn’t
fair. “I’ve heard the rumors,” she finally admitted, “and they are absolutely not true.”
    “Why would people lie
about something so serious?” Principal Keith inquired, suddenly sounding as if
he was interrogating Anastasia instead of helping her.
    “I have no idea how or
why the rumors about me and Mr. O’Donoghue were started,” Anastasia said
hastily, with growing frustration. She cringed after speaking, realizing that
she had said too much.
    “Has Mr. O’Donoghue
ever displayed any behavior which made you feel uncomfortable?”
    “No!” Anastasia cried.
“Didn’t you hear me the first time? It’s not true – none of it!”
    “Calm down,” Principal
Keith advised. “These questions are routine for this type of investigation.”
    “Investigation of what?
Nothing happened!” Anastasia assumed the impromptu meeting with the principal
would be the peak of this nightmare, but with an actual investigation, the
rumor would only become more public and humiliating. For once in her life,
couldn’t telling the truth make things simpler?
    “Serious allegations
have been brought forth by both staff and students. While your account of the
events is important, I must take into consideration other factors. I have no
other choice but to file a report with the school board.”
    “So, basically you
don’t believe me,” Anastasia seethed, before running out of the office.
    The first class of the
day had just ended, and the hallways were now filled with students who were
hurrying to get to their next class. Anastasia was also in a hurry, but she was
heading toward the nearest exit. She flung the front doors open and then leaned
against the cold brick, finally allowing the tears to flow down her face.
    Anastasia needed to
talk to someone, and not knowing who else to call, she retrieved her cell phone
and dialed. “Grandma?” she choked out, after the person on the other end had
answered. “I need you.”
     
     
    It felt like an
eternity, but Anastasia’s grandmother arrived at Cedar Falls High in less than
half an hour. As soon as she pulled into the parking lot, Anastasia ran toward
her car and then jumped inside. She had waited outside the whole time, and
without her coat, she was freezing. However, that seemed like a much better
fate than re-entering the school and facing the students and staff who thought
she was capable of having such an inappropriate relationship.
    “Please, take me home,”
Anastasia immediately begged her grandmother, who looked at her with great
concern.
    Without asking a single
question, she drove home. However, when they arrived in their driveway,
Anastasia burst into uncontrollable tears. Her grandmother hugged her and
didn’t let go until several minutes had passed. She then retrieved a small
package of tissues from her purse and wiped away Anastasia’s tears.
    “I don’t know what I’ve
done to deserve