Then I said the only thing that mattered.
“Let’s go. All of us. Now.”
We walked into the school together.
Asked for the counselor.
Emily told her everything.
This time, she didn’t hold back.
The counselor listened carefully.
Then she nodded.
“We’re handling this today.”
Emily blinked.
“Today?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “You shouldn’t have to carry this any longer.”
When we walked back outside, something had changed.
Emily stood a little straighter.
Not fixed.
But lighter.
Mark looked at me.
“I should’ve called you.”
“Yes,” I said. “You should have.”
He nodded.
“I just wanted her to feel safe.”
I softened slightly.
“You helped her,” I said. “Just… not the right way.”
He gave a small smile.
“Team effort next time?”
I nodded.
“Team effort.”
In the car, Emily looked at both of us.
“Are you done deciding my life for me?”
Mark laughed.
“For today.”
By the end of the week, things weren’t perfect.
But they were better.
Schedules changed. The situation was addressed.
And most importantly—
we started talking again.
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