“It’s considered a supplement but one that can have serious side effects to the heart, fertility, and nutrient levels in the body.” He paused and added, “It’s meant for weight loss but it’s a very dangerous way to accomplish that goal.”
Amelia processed the words for almost a minute and everyone else was silent. She took a second bottle from her backpack and handed it to the principal.
“I normally drink one for breakfast and sometimes, another for dinner. I’ve barely eaten anything in a week. I didn’t know.” She met her mother’s eyes and said in a low voice, “I don’t think I need to lose weight so I’m sorry if I had something I shouldn’t in school. It won’t happen again.”
Looking at her father, she murmured, “You need to understand what just happened here, Dad. You’re not paying attention to anything nearly as much as you should.”
He stared at the floor and shifted his weight to his other foot.
Frustrated, she asked, “Am I in trouble, Principal Fellman?”
“No, Amy. You can go back to class.”
“Thank you, sir. I apologize.”
In the hallway, she turned for Leo’s class instead of her own. Tapping on the door, he glanced up and frowned. Saying something to his teacher, he came out in the hall.
“What did you do with the juice I gave you, Leo?”
She watched him take a deep breath. “I took it to the chemistry teacher to confirm what I thought about a couple of the ingredients.”
“You suspected what they were?”
“I haven’t seen you eat in days. You’re losing so much weight that your body can’t regulate your temperature.”
“My parents are in the office. I thought I was in trouble. I worried they were going to expel me.”
“No. I made sure it wasn’t an illegal additive but your mom should be in trouble for giving those things to you.”
“I understand what you did and why, Leo. Next time talk to me first because I didn’t like walking into a situation like that. Protecting me doesn’t work like that. Understand?”
“I do. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you. I was worried.”
“Thank you.” She looked at the floor. “She was making me lose weight, Leo. Like I’m overweight or something. Giving me some terrible thing that could damage my heart so I’d drop pounds.”
“Amelia?” She raised her head. “We have to watch things more closely. Okay?” She nodded. “I won’t let her hurt you, Amelia.”
“I don’t think she’d ever intentionally hurt me. She just...I don’t know. This beauty thing is kind of her obsession. All she does is plan auditions and pageants. I-I’m trying to do what she wants but I keep wondering what will be enough.”
“I’m going to watch more closely.” He gave her a smile. “It takes a couple of days to work out of your system...but your appetite should be coming back. There’s burgers for lunch today…”
“My favorite.”
“See you in a couple of hours.” He stroked his palm over her hair and headed back to class.
She walked slower to her own and took her seat. Augusta’s focus on Amelia winning and being the most beautiful had been frustrating and exhausting for years.
Now, there was something almost sinister about it.
It made her stomach cramp.