Chapter 24
Monday morning was fast approaching. Jason would be here at any minute to pick me up. I wasn't too worried about the human blood part of returning to school—if I could handle Jason, I could handle anyone. No, it was the probing stares, the questions—assumptions, that's what I was worried about. When I heard Jason's Rover turn the corner into our driveway, I was out the door and met him halfway to the house.
Jason stopped and swung the passenger's door open. "Anxious much?"
"More like nervous."
"You're going to be fine, you'll see. I know everyone is going to be so glad you're back—so relieved you're okay. I mean the halls are going to be a parade of smiling faces."
"You really think so?" I slid onto the passenger's seat and then closed the door.
"Wow!" Jason bobbed his brow, leaned over and gave me a quick kiss. "Did I tell you how totally hot you look?"
"More like cold."
"Fire and ice—hey, that should be like our new motto, fire and ice."
"Well, based on what you just said about me, that would make you ice—I can't picture it." I leaned over and gave him a much more passionate kiss, not just a quick peck on the lips. "No, you're definitely the fire."
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you." he said.
"School?" I prompted.
"Oh, right."
Jason did a donut in the gravel—even went around a second time for good measure—and we headed for school. I didn't take my eyes off Jason the entire drive. Finally, we pulled to a stop in the parking lot. We both took an anxious breath.
"You okay?" Jason said, looking over at me.
"Sure." I replied in a doubtful tone that he seemed to pick up on.
"Obviously word has gotten around that you're okay, but I told Matt, Alex, Cathy, even Lisa to spread the word around to go easy—give you some space."
"You did that?"
"I hope you don't mind."
I reached across the console and stroked his cheek. "Thank you."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely, I just want things to go back to normal—like they were before."
Jason smiled. "I think everyone wants that." He climbed out of the Rover and then went around and opened my door. He offered me his arm. "Ready?"
I took a breath—I'd grown so accustom to human habits. "Yep, lets do this."
As we walked arm-in-arm toward the school, two cars pulled into the parking lot and honked. We both waved as they passed.
"I was thinking maybe our first stop should be Ms. Moore's, what do you think?"
"Sure, I'd love to see her."
Jason smiled briefly like he'd made the right decision. "I can't tell you how worried she was for you—like you were her own daughter—seriously. Oh, and I think Mrs. Snyder is going to be here today."
"Why wouldn't she be?"
Jason's expression turned sullen and we came to a stop on the sidewalk. "She got hurt when you were abducted—real bad."
"How bad?"
"She was behind the doors when that monster burst through into the gym with you. The door crushed her against the wall."
"Welcome back." Cathy said as she ran toward us, but she pulled up when she got close. "You were telling her about Mrs. Snyder?"
"Yeah, this is one of her days in, isn't it?" Jason said to Cathy.
"She wouldn't miss it." Cathy said. I saw the van that brings her over by the other entrance, I think she's here. We should go see her." She turned to me. "Did Jason tell you what he did?"
"No." I looked over at him, but he just shrugged and made no effort to explain.
"He saved her life," Cathy said, "that's what he did."
"How?" I asked Jason.
"She stopped breathing, I just got her going again, that's all—it's not like you wouldn't have done the same if you could have." He winked.
I remembered the night when I'd done the same for his mother. "I'm so glad you were there to help her."
"Come on," Cathy said, "let's go see her."
We followed Cathy around to the entrance on the far side of the school. The door was still unlocked, so we slipped inside and followed Cathy to the art room.
"Hello?" Cathy said, slowly opening the door. "Anyone home?"
"Is that you, Cathy?"
"I have a surprise for you Mrs. Snyder." Cathy said as she motioned us to follow her into the room.
"Jason, it's so nice to see—" she stopped in mid sentence. "Izzy?"
"Hi, Mrs. Snyder."
"Oh my." Tears began streaming down her face. "Is it really you?"
I nodded. "Yep, it's me." I posed—hands out to the sides.
"I thought—but I heard—but I thought it was impossible—you're safe, you're really safe."
I knelt down next to her wheelchair. "I'm so sorry this happened to you."
She smiled. "It's not your fault. I'm just glad you're safe."
"I'm sorry I can't stay long." I said. "I want to go see Ms. Moore. Will you be here for class? Jason said you usually just do half days."
"I'll be here." she said with confidence. "I wish I could see Ms. Moore's face when she sees you."
I looked up at Jason. "Do you mind?"
"No, go for it." he said.
I turned back to Mrs. Snyder. "Well, lets go." I stepped in behind her wheelchair and then gently pushed her out into the hallway. Jason and Cathy followed behind us.
Cathy's mom stood as we entered the outer office. "So nice to see the two of you. Welcome back, Izzy." she said. She smiled, and added, "She's in her office."
"Thanks." I said. The door was open so I pushed Mrs. Snyder's wheelchair into Ms. Moore's office. I could see Ms. Moore's smile in the window when she saw Mrs. Snyder, but her face suddenly froze as I stepped into her office.
"Izzy?" Her voice was filled with disbelief.
I curtsied. "Yep, all me, safe and sound."
Ms. Moore sank back down on her chair. "Thank God you're alright. Would you sit with me?"
I stepped out from behind the wheelchair and then eased down onto the leather couch across from her desk.
"Well," Mrs. Snyder said, taking control of her wheelchair, "I'll let you two talk—I just had to see the expression on your face when you saw her." she said to Mrs. Moore. "I'll look forward to seeing you in class, Izzy. Welcome home." Mrs. Snyder rolled out of the office. Before the door closed, I heard her say, "Her expression was priceless."
Ms. Moore and I sat in silence for awhile, neither seeming to know quite where to begin. Ms. Moore's glow, slowly faded as concern replaced delight. "Are you okay, Izzy?"
"He didn't hurt me—not physically."
The relief in her face was obvious. "And emotionally?" She got up and came and sat with me on the couch. "How are you coping?"
"I'm better—not completely, but better. Jason's been a huge help, getting me to focus on moving forward."
"That's good. Moving forward is important, but you also need to deal with what happened—it's part of the healing process." She shook her head. "Poor Jason, he was so emotionally distraught over what happened to you. His concern even manifested itself physically."
"What do you mean?"
"The poor boy was ghostly white. Coach Singleton had to stop him from practicing, he missed school one day and I sent him home early once. I was really worried for him." Did he tell you we talked—right here, like you and I do?"
"No."
"Well, it's difficult for boys to show vulnerability—I know, it's silly, but none-the-less, the truth. Honestly though, I think the entire school—community was afraid for you."
It took a moment for that to sink in. No one outside of a few people even knew me except for as Jason's girlfriend. "I'm nervous about class." I finally said.
"I see. Do you know why?"
I nodded, but hesitated.
"I know this is difficult—I can't begin to imagine what it was like for you, but I know my students and they only want to help."
"It'
s not that, exactly. It's the stares, the questions, and well the assumptions."
I could see the concern in her eyes. "I guess there will be all of that." She thought for a moment. "Do you remember when you first started school here last year?"
"Yes." I replied, puzzled by the question.
"Weren't there, stares, questions and assumptions?"
"Sure, I guess, but I didn't care then."
Ms. Moore's concern was slowly replaced with a broad smile—it lit up her face.
"What?" I said.
"You have come so far—opened up so much since we first met. I'm so proud of you. Now then, it's perfectly natural for you to be apprehensive, but like I said, I think I know my students pretty well. Are you afraid you're not ready yet?"
"I don't know, I guess that's part of it." I'd been so focused on dealing with the human element I hadn't really though much about dealing with well, the human element.
"Tell you what, if you begin to feel like it's too much, you just excuse yourself from class and come and see me."
I followed her lead and we both stood. "Thank you, Ms. Moore."
It was obvious she wanted to hug me, but refrained. "I'm so glad you're okay, Izzy. You've become such an important part of our school and well, an important part of my life."
"Thank you." I gave her a quick hug being careful not to touch any skin or make my strength apparent.
Ms. Moore started crying.
"Thanks again," I said, "see ya."
Jason and Cathy were waiting in the front office, Alex had joined them, and beyond the windows, a small crowd had gathered in the hallway.
"It's okay," Jason said, putting his arm around me.
I glanced back. Ms. Moore was standing in her doorway and nodded.
"Okay." I mumbled. "If you say so."
Jason and I started toward the door, with Cathy and Alex right behind us. The kids stepped back as Jason opened the door. I couldn't help myself and looked for the closest escape route, just in case, as we stepped into the hallway.
"Welcome back." A kid I didn't know said.
And an echo of welcomes began from those around us. Jason was right, everyone was smiling.
I looked at the first kid that spoke—a girl. "Thank you."
Jason made a small gesture with his hand before wrapping his arm around my shoulder. As if it were some kind of signal, the kids started drifting off in different directions. Even so, everyone we passed, welcomed me back.
I got my books, and we started for Mrs. Burns class—my first period.
"That guy so did her," a voice behind me muttered, "and I bet she wanted it."
I turned—it was Dillon. He glared at me like he knew I heard him and didn't care.
"What?" Jason said.
"Nothing."
"Well, here we are. You going to be okay?"
"You'll be here after class?"
"Yep, no place I'd rather be."
I looked into the room. There were only a few students inside. "Okay, see you after class." I took a breath and walked into the classroom.