Page 136 of Faux Real
I’m Kennedy fucking Carmichael, and I will be heard.
“Thank you, Chief Davis.” Headmaster Rothland’s voice booms through the halls as I turn the corner. “I’m sorry for this mix-up. I hope we haven’t impeded your investigation.” I stop a few yards away and hide behind the wall, peeking my head out and eavesdropping as Corrine and her dad exit Rothland’s office. “Let me know if there’s anything we can do to help.”
“I appreciate the cooperation,” Chief Davis states, shaking Rothland’s hand. “Have a good day.” When the door closes, he turns to his daughter. “This is the last time I’m doing something like this, understand? You’re almost a goddamn adult, Corrine. Act like one!”
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” Corrine says, looking at her feet. “And thank you.”
Chief Davis mumbles something under his breath and walks away. I slowly round the corner toward Corrine. “Hey,” I say, eyeing her warily. “What was that?”
Corrine gestures down the hallway. “Not here.”
I roll my eyes, following her away from Rothland’s office. “I think we’re far enough.” We face each other. “So? What just happened?”
“I fixed it,” she says, fiddling with her fingers. “I um... I fixed it.”
“Fixed what?” I ask, crossing my arms. “What did you do?”
Corrine sighs, visibly uncomfortable. “Ollie can come back, okay? Ollie can come back, and you can still go to Harvard.”
“How?”
Corrine chews on her bottom lip. “I told my dad that I planted drugs on you when I was drunk.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“Yeah,” she swallows. “I told him that you pissed me off, so I stashed Addy in your purse and that Oliver took the fall.” She clears her throat. “Then I asked for help, to um... undo it.”
I narrow my eyes. “Wha... how...” I shake my head. “I’m so confused.”
“My dad told Rothland that Ollie was helping them investigate local dealers,” she explains. “And that he was supposed to deliver the drugs to the precinct after the trip and tell them who’s dealing.”
I close my eyes, rubbing my temples. “Are they actually investigating dealers?”
“No, but—” she shrugs. “He bought it.”
“So your dad, the chief of police, just lied?” I reiterate.
“Yes.”
“Holy shit,” I breathe out. In relief? I’m not sure.
Is this how the world works? Just endless lies? Trickery? Corruption? People like Corrine’s dad are supposed to uphold the law. Have integrity. Fucking morals. But I guess family overpowers duty sometimes. It’s a broken system. It needs help.
“I’m sorry,” Corrine whispers, drawing my attention.
“What?”
Her jaw twitches as her eyes gloss over. “I’m sorry, Kenny.”
“For what?” I ask. “The list is long.”
A tear rolls down her face. “For everything, okay?” She begins sobbing. “For fucking everything. I...” A hiccup. “I’m so sorry.”
Everyone is messy.
And sometimes the mess seems too big to clean up alone.
But if you have people in your life that are willing to lend a hand, no mess is too big.
