Her test paper was blank.
Tears slid silently down her cheeks.
I walked over and crouched beside her desk.
“Lily?”
She quickly wiped her face.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
She looked away.
“Come outside with me.”
Once the classroom door closed behind us, Lily wrapped both arms around herself.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Something is happening. Your grades have changed, you’re missing work, and now you’re crying during a test.”
Her lower lip trembled.
Then she said something that instantly changed the way I understood the situation.
“Please don’t call my parents.”
My teacher instincts took over.
“Are you safe at home?”
Her head snapped up.
“Yes. Absolutely. They’re not hurting me.”
“Then why don’t you want me speaking to them?”
“It’s complicated.”
“What is?”
She shook her head.
“I can’t tell you.”
There was genuine fear in her face.
