"Where were you?" Jess looks me dead in the eyes. Every inch of that suit is polished- making her perfect posture even more intimidating than I imagined possible. Her short, silver hair has been combed in a side part, making her even more annoying to look at.
I absolutely hate everything about this situation.
Apparently, these people wouldn't even let me off the hook on June 25th.
My birthday.
"Where. Were. You?" Jess' stern look never fails to make me eight years old caught cheating in class by the teacher.
"I. Was. At. Home!" I emphasise each word, and fear the enthusiasm will give me away "—Just in my room. It was just locked and I was just asleep."
Too many 'justs' in that sentence. She's not Jess if she hasn't caught on by now.
"Ms. Mariah," she says and I swallow fear back down my throat "where were you last evening?"
In other words, cut the bullshit.
"Jess, I.." I can't hold her gaze anymore. I hated feeling like I did something horrible when all I ever did was act like other people my age. "...I left the building, without supervision."
I make myself look right at her, praying my expression is earnest, rather than terrified.
She doesn't flinch— as if expecting this confession. Her confidence never failed to get on my nerves.
"When?" She asks, sounding like a detective.
Her calm tone builds fear in my chest.
"Last evening till... this morning."
"You spent the night somewhere else."
"Jess. You won't tell anyone." Right?
"The President has called you," she smoothes out the wrinkles in her suit "Be there by seven."
I chase after her as she heads towards the elevator "Jess, Jess, please. You wouldn't, you know what he'd do to me."
She pauses. Turns to talk to me, but the elevator doors open and she changes her mind.
Despair pulls my down to my knees. The floor is cold, but I can't pull myself up. "By seven, right?"
She nods. The silver elevator doors glue together.
I can't ask her anymore questions now. The meeting's probably at the same place as last time.
I pick myself up. I'm heavy with dark melancholy,
but it's not heavy enough to stop me.
I walk over to my desk, write the words in red ink— 'meet him by seven'.
I will not be here forever.
I'm going to leave this place,
And I'm going to expose my father while I'm at it.