Violetta Craft's Arc

Chapter 54 of 65

Tuesday morning Violetta packed her bag for school and told herself the week was almost done. Four days to graduation. Four days of keeping her mouth shut. She kissed Elowen on the head, handed her to Jordie, and drove to campus. The senior lounge was loud. She got in line at the coffee cart out of habit, then remembered and stepped out. She asked the girl behind the counter for hot water and a lemon slice. She paid and turned around. A girl from her math class was watching her. Blonde ponytail, arms crossed, the same girl who had asked her at the junior showcase if her waistline was "for the design or the truth." She stepped in front of Violetta before she could pass. "No coffee?" "Not today." "You didn't drink it yesterday either. Or Friday." The girl tilted her head. "You look tired. You look like you looked sophomore year." Violetta kept her face still. "I'm fine." "Are you? Because I think you're pregnant again. And I think everyone should know before you walk that stage acting like the golden girl." A few heads turned. Violetta felt the room narrow. The girl already had her phone out, thumb hovering. Violetta had a choice. Deny it and buy four days. The girl would post anyway. The rumor would run through every group chat by lunch, and Violetta's graduation would be about her stomach instead of her name being called. Or take it from her. Violetta set the cup down on the nearest table. She looked straight at the girl. "You're right." The girl blinked. "I'm pregnant. Jordie and I are having another baby. Put your phone away. I'll say it myself." She walked to the center of the lounge. She did not raise her voice. She did not need to. "I'm seven weeks along. I'm graduating Friday. I'm still entering the next showcase. If anyone has a question, ask me, not each other." She picked up her cup and walked out. Her hands did not shake until she was in the parking lot. She called Jordie from the car. "It's out," she said. "I told them myself. A girl was going to post." He was quiet a second. "You okay?" "I have to tell my mom before she sees it on her phone." "Go now. I've got Elowen." She drove to Lymber's house instead of home. Her mother was at the kitchen table with a coffee and a laptop. Violetta sat down across from her and told her flat, the way she had told the lounge. Lymber closed the laptop. She did not sigh. She did not cry. "Okay," Lymber said. "Then we get you across that stage first. Everything else after." Violetta nodded. The secret was gone. Four days to graduation, and now the whole town would be watching her walk.