Free Girl on the Other Side by Deborah Kerbel Page A

in the cafeteria, deflecting dirty looks from everyone who passes by. Finally, when I can’t take it anymore, I get up and move to Derek’s table. I’m kind of hoping that he’ll be a gentleman and stand up in my defence. He does stand up — and without a word, walks as quickly as he can to another table. I’m mortified beyond belief.
    On my way back to my locker, I spy Brandi and Dylan ahead of me in the hall. When they see me coming, they start to giggle and turn the other way, whispering to each other and pretending like they don’t even know me. I walk past them with my head held high. So much for my BFFs! It’s weird, but even though they totally cut my family down, I really can’t blame them for it. After all, I sharpened the knife and handed it to them myself.
    After that, things really turn ugly. “Thief!” someone hisses at my back as I walk into my math class. I speed up and pretend not to hear. But inside I’m dying. I’ve been the centre of attention my whole life … but not this kind of attention. I’d expected my parents to be under attack when that email went out. But I never considered that I would be, too. With the click of a mouse, our entire family has turned into public enemy number one.
    As I trudge home from school, I make myself a promise: No matter how bad it gets, I won’t ever let them see me cry.
    Back at home, the emotional meltdown I’d been waiting for finally happens. But in the end, it’s not my parents who break down. After dinner, there’s a small knock at my bedroom door and when I answer it, Nanny Beth falls into my arms, weeping and shaking.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I ask, suddenly scared. “Are you hurt?”
    â€œNo … but I’m worried, Tabby,” she whimpers. “I’m worried about my job.”
    My breath catches in my throat.
    â€œWhy? They didn’t say anything about firing you, did they?”
    â€œNo, but I know it’s only a matter of time …” she says. “They won’t be able to afford to keep me with everything that’s going on. And then what will I do? My daughter — I have to send money for her! She’s counting on me! Tabby, what will I do if I lose my job? Where will I live?”
    Oh crap! I hadn’t thought of that! She looks so scared — and it’s all my fault. The guilt I feel is so powerful that I can’t even bring myself to look at her. Instead, I hug her and tell her not to worry.
    â€œYou’ll always have a home here. I won’t let them fire you.”
    But that’s a lie. If David and Catherine go to jail, I know I can’t protect her. Hell, I won’t even be able to protect myself. I put on a brave face for Nanny, but deep down inside I’m petrified. The carefully stitched pieces of my life are rapidly unravelling. More than anything, I wish I could take that email back.
    At night, a new nightmare haunts my dreams. I’m not falling anymore. This time, I’m standing alone on an empty sidewalk, frozen with panic as the tall building from my old nightmare comes crashing down on top of me.
    Lora
    Eleven.
    That’s how many times this week I’ve made it down the main hall unscathed. It’s definitely a record. Thank God, they aren’t paying attention to me anymore. It’s like I’ve become invisible or something. Now the piranhas and the pit bulls are devouring one of their own instead.
    Everyone in school is talking about what Tabby Freeman’s parents did. They’re saying that her father stole over five million dollars from the people in our town. And that he’s going to be disbarred. Maybe even sent to prison.
    And it’s not just at school. The whole town is heated up over the scandal. Even Daddy, who normally never listens to gossip, mentioned it when he picked me up after the coffee shop poetry reading last Sunday night.
    â€œDon’t you go