Page 171 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
“Of course.” Miranda sets her planner on the cushion beside her and folds her hands. “We want to be as cooperative as possible.”
Mrs. Rodriguez uncaps her pen and looks down at her notes. “Alice, I just want to check in. How are you settling in?”
“Better than I expected,” I say. “My aunt and I are still figuring each other out. But I think we will.”
Mrs. Rodriguez writes something. “Are you sleeping? Eating regularly?”
“Yes, to both.”
“Do you feel safe here?”
“Yes.”
The word comes out without delay. Mrs. Rodriguez writes, nods, and moves to the next question.
“Did you have your therapy session with Dr. Novak?”
“Yes, and I have my next session this Saturday.”
“Good.” She glances at Miranda. “Now, in terms of Alice’s day-to-day needs. For instance, school transport, meals, any medical or academic requirements. You feel those are being met?”
“Yes,” Miranda says. “I haven’t left Alice without anything she needs.”
I bite my tongue. Hard.
I think about the nights when Miranda was out late at meetings. When I didn’t know if anyone was available to drive me home from school. When Mrs. Gallagher wasn’t here, and there wasn’t a meal cooked for me.
But I don’t say it.
“Alice?” Mrs. Rodriguez asks. “Was there something you wanted to add?”
“I think my aunt can provide for me,” I say tactfully. “I just think we need to work on our communication.”
Miranda clears her throat. “Yes, we got into that last night.”
Mrs. Rodriguez flinches. “An argument?”
“No,” I blurt. “Well, maybe? I was being a bit harsh.”
“She was standing up for herself,” Miranda says with a wry smirk. “I was actually very proud.”
Mrs. Rodriguez looks between us with curiosity. “Would you say a bond is forming here?”
Miranda and I take a beat to look at each other, and together we reply, “Yes.”
“Just,” I add with an encouraging smile.
Mrs. Rodriguez makes another note, nodding. “Good, good. This is very promising.”
The questions continue. Whether I have space of my own. Whether I feel comfortable coming to Miranda if something is wrong. Whether there’s anything I need that I don’t currently have. I answer each one, feeling like I have nothing to hide.
Yes, my aunt isn’t my confidant. I don’t see her as the person who can fix my problems. But I’m learning there are more people in the world, and I can open up when I’m ready. People like Madison, Mr. Deluca, and my guidance counsellor. They all helped me without needing anything from me.
And then there’s Ryder…
Or, therewasRyder.
Near the end of our interview, Mrs. Rodriguez looks up from her clipboard and around the room, as if she’s taking inventory. Her gaze moves to the mantelpiece, where I notice Miranda has put up a photograph in a silver frame. I have to look twice to be sure.
