Page 39 of Forever Gone
Selena stared at her.
“In passing?”
Kelly let out a slow breath. “I didn’t think going through every detail with your supervisor would help either of us.”
“You kicked the shit out of me more than once because I looked the wrong way.”
A faint flush spread along Kelly’s neck.
“Selena, I’m sorry for what happened. I was a kid, and things got out of hand.”
“Out of hand?”
“I’m not trying to excuse it.”
“That sounds a lot like an excuse.”
Kelly pushed the chair back and stood. “What do you want me to say?”
“The truth would be a start.”
“The truth is I treated you badly.”
“You bullied me.”
“Yes.”
“You pulled my hair, hit me, followed me home, damaged my things, and made sure other girls knew what would happen if they spent time with me.”
Kelly pressed her lips together before answering.
“Yes.”
Selena’s pulse had quickened. The office seemed smaller, the empty desks closing the distance between them.
“Do you remember the locker room?” she asked.
Kelly’s attention dropped.
“I remember.”
“You caught me from behind.”
“I know.”
“I was fourteen,” Selena said. “You were two years older. It was cheap.”
“I know how old you were.”
Selena stood. “Then don’t tell me it got out of hand as if you tripped and fell into it. You chose it. Again and again.”
Kelly took the words without moving.
After several seconds, she said, “You’re right.”
The agreement did not bring the satisfaction Selena expected.
“Why, though?” Selena asked, hating that she could not let it go. “Why did you make my life hell back then?”
