Forever and Always

Chapter 21 - Better than Revenge

Kayla's POV

"Wake up Kayla. You have to go to school."

Maybe if I pull the covers over my head, mommy will forget about me. I can't go back to school. I wont.

"Come on Kayla, I already let you sleep in enough. Time to get up." She pulled my covers off. I lay on my bed for a few minutes before getting up. I felt so sore and stiff. I looked down at my stomach; it was purple. It took a lot of effort to roll out of bed. I walked into the bathroom to wash up. My face looked terrible. I had three bandages covering my forehead and a bruised jaw. I tried to put my hair into a ponytail but couldn't even raise my arm.

"Here, let me help you." Mommy walked in and started to brush my hair. "We should get you some fresh bandages too." She walked to the medicine cabinet and grabbed some ointment to put on the cuts. It stung. My face looked cleaner though. I left the bathroom to put on my clothes. A tank top with a cardigan and shorts was the best I could put on today. I trudged down the stairs and sat myself at the table for breakfast. Even mommy's chocolate chip muffins couldn't cheer me up. She must have saw me poking at it.

"Kayla, please eat something. I'll make anything. What do you want? Eggs, pancakes -"

"What I want is to not go to school." I said still staring at my crumbled muffin. Mommy walked around the counter and took a chair next to me.

"Listen I know school has been rough, but you can't let the bad guys win. They don't know you like Owen and I do. Remember my song?" She asked staring at me with concern.

"Yeah." I looked up into her eyes. She started humming.

"It's true, people throw rocks at things that shine. Don't let them take away your shine. You are an amazing girl who is smart, beautiful, caring and one who can make it out of any situation. Please go today. For me?" She hugged me. I sighed. "Okay." It doesn't look like I have much of a choice.

"Thank you. I promise I will figure this out. Don't forget your bow." She tied in a blue bow that matched my shorts. I never finished my muffin so mommy slipped a granola bar into my bag. I put on my shoes and climbed into the car. Mommy couldn't leave Owen alone in the morning so he came along for the ride.

I shuddered when we pulled up in front of the school. It wasn't a place I was excited to go to anymore. "Good luck today Kayla." Mommy said smiling. "I love you. Please, call me if you need anything." She passed back my lunch bag. I was about to hop out of the car when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, it was Owen. He extended his arms for a hug. "I love you Owen. I'll see you tonight bud." Mommy watched me walk into school. I tried to be brave, but inside I felt like screaming and running the other way.

Taylor's POV

I watched Kayla walk into school. I saw fear on her face. Am I a horrible mother for making her go back? Once I saw her enter the building safely I pulled the car into the parking lot. "Come on Owen, we are going to visit Kayla." I unbuckled him and carried him into the office.

"Hello Ms. Swift, what can I help you with?" The secretary asked.

"May I speak with the assistant principal?"

"One moment." I took a seat while she telephoned the principal. I bounced Owen on my lap while I waited. Soon the assistant principal called me back to his office.

"Hello, I'm Charlie McFarland the assistant principal." He said holding out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Taylor Swift and this is my son Owen." Mr. McFarland waved at Owen.

"What brings you in today?" He said sitting down behind a large wooden desk.

"I have a daughter Kayla who is in Kindergarten. She is getting severely bullied by a few girls and I was wondering if there is a way to talk to those kids and their parents. The bullying is not just teasing or name calling, it is beating up on the playground. I am very worried for my daughter."