Betty’s POV
“She was with Marcus.” Stacey’s words hit like a punch and echoed in the room like a shockwave. The room fell silent, and I felt every eye in the room lock onto me. My dad’s face paled, shifted from shock to a deep, almost wounded disappointment, and Jeanette’s eyes narrowed in fury.
“Is that true?” Dad said. I opened my mouth, scrambling to explain, to defend myself, but I couldn’t find the words.
“Betty… how could you?” His voice was barely above a whisper, thick with disbelief.
“You don’t understand.” My voice trembling as I reached out to him, desperate for him to hear me out. “Dad… you don’t understand.”
“No, you don’t understand.” He looked at me as though he didn’t recognize me, like I was a stranger. “I was gone for a while, I know that. But this? Is this what you’ve become? Your sister told me you took her position as captain of the cheer squad—is that true, too?”
I felt my chest tighten as Stacey’s smirk widened, her satisfaction clear. “I earned that spot.” I said.
Stacey scoffed, crossing her arms as she shot me a look of pure disdain. “Like you earned my boyfriend?”
The words stung like a slap, and I couldn’t stop the shame that crept over me as Dad’s expression grew even harder, a deep disappointment settling into his face. I swallowed, feeling my defenses crumble. I looked over at Brent, hoping to see that familiar glimmer of support in his eyes, that reassurance he’d always given me.
But this time, he didn’t meet my gaze. His jaw was clenched, his expression a mix of confusion and hurt, and he looked away, his shoulders tense as though he couldn’t bear to look at me.
“Brent…” I whispered, my voice breaking as I reached out to him. “Please.”
He shook his head, giving me a sad, resigned smile as he took a step back. “We’ll… we’ll catch up again sometime,” he said softly, but his eyes didn’t meet mine. With a nod to my dad, he excused himself, his footsteps fading as he left the room.
My heart shattered, the weight of everyone’s judgment pressing down on me. I felt the tears building, but I forced myself to hold them back, determined not to break. “Dad, I didn’t mean for things to go this way,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “You don’t know what’s been going on. You don’t understand because… because you haven’t been here. Not since Mom died.”
Dad’s face paled even more, his mouth pressing into a tight line. “Don’t bring your mother into this.” His voice low and tense. “This is all on you, Betty. Your choices.”
Jeanette let out a harsh, bitter laugh, her tone laced with sarcasm. “After everything I’ve done for you—after all the guidance I tried to give, after the kindness Stacey showed you as a sister… this is how you repay us?” She shook her head, her gaze cold. “Betty, this is beyond disappointing.”
I opened my mouth to respond, to defend myself, but Dad held up a hand, his expression set. “Enough,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re grounded. For one month. No going out after school, no excuses—and you will not see Marcus again. Do you understand? You’ll avoid him entirely.”
“Dad, wait—” Panic clawing at me. “I can’t just stop seeing my team! We’re going to Nationals; we need to practice!”
Dad’s face hardened even further, his gaze shifting to Stacey. “Your sister can win that for you.”