Chapter 9: "Return"

Kari stepped quickly on to the bus before Mother changed her mind. She had missed two days of school plus the half day from before. She sat next to the sleeping kid again and held her backpack close to her chest. A few people on the bus looked at her as she passed, but no one said anything. She sighed with relief when they finally seemed to ignore her.

Halfway through the bus ride, a girl popped her head over the back of her seat and stared at Kari.

“Did you really beat Flynn up?” She asked.

Kari looked away from her. She counted the ridges of rubber making up the aisle down the middle of the bus. She could still feel the eyes of the girl on her.

“You really did a number on him. He’s still purple.”

Kari continued to look away. Mother was very specific about not talking about the “incident” as she called it. She was working to bring it to the school board and had told Kari not to compromise her position. It was a promise she had to make in order to go back to school, so she just ignored the girl until she finally disappeared back behind the seat.

Kari stepped off the bus to the courtyard. She stared at the ground as she walked even though she could feel everyone’s eyes on her. She was just about to pass through the hall door when she heard a familiar voice to her right.

“Oh my god, you’re alive!” Fatimah shrieked. Arms came around her and tucked her into a hug.

Kari patted her arms and leaned into the hug. Instant comfort filled her and she finally lifted her eyes. She wasn’t expecting to see Theo standing behind Fatimah. The smell of skunk hit her and a pang of pity sank in her stomach. He smiled. She could feel her face grow red.

“Are you okay?” Fatimah asked as she pulled away and set Kari square in front of her.

Kari nodded quickly. “I’m fine.”

“What did the dragon say? What did she do?” Fatimah’s blue eyes were round with worry.

Kari waved her hands in front of her. “Everything is fine. I’m not supposed to talk to anyone about it. Or talk to…” Kari nodded to Theo.

Fatimah looked over her shoulder. “Really?”

Kari’s lips tightened into a thin line as she nodded.

Fatimah leaned in close and whispered. “Are you going to listen to her? He’s been following me around since it happened.”

Kari shook her head. “I just have to be careful. If Mother finds out, I’m dead.”

Fatimah nodded solemnly. “Wait… do you like him?” She let out a giggle.

Kari gave her a slap on the arm. “It’s not like that. Don’t you feel bad for him? Does he friends? My mother even called him trash. I can’t just ignore him, especially if he’s been hanging around you.”

Fatimah gave a little grin. “Doth protest too much.” She leaned even closer to her Kari’s ear. “You do like him, don’t you?”

Kari put her hand over Fatimah’s mouth. “Did you even hear a word I said?”

Fatimah pulled back. “I’m hearing the words you aren’t saying.” She smiled. She turned and slipped an arm over Kari’s shoulders then led her towards Theo. “She seems to have survived the wicked witch. Let me officially introduce you to my best friend, Kari Lam.”

Kari smiled nervously. “Umm… Hi, Theo.” She lifted up her hand for a handshake.

“Oh, umm…” He fumbled with his backpack a moment then shook her hand. “Hi, Kari. It’s nice to officially meet you.”

His hand felt strong and warm in hers. She could feel her body heat up as her fingers touched his palm. She realized they had been shaking for a longer time than necessary while she thought about it and pulled her hand back quickly.

“Thanks. For the other day, I mean. I never got a chance to thank you,” Theo said.

“Don’t mention it.” Kari didn’t know what to do with her hands. All of a sudden it was like she was aware of how awkward they were if she just hung them at her sides. She jammed them in her jeans pocket. “Really, don’t mention it. The less we talk about it, the less I have to think about it. And I’m sorry about what my mother said. You’re not trash.”

Theo smiled tightly. She couldn’t tell if he was offended or just nervous.

“I’m really sorry, she’s…”

“I already explained the dragon lady to him. He’s fine,” Fatimah interjected. “Don’t worry, he’s pretty quiet most of the time.”

“Oh, okay.” Kari smiled shyly at him.

“Come on guys. Let’s get ready for class. I can’t watch you two stare at each other anymore.” Fatimah pulled Kari along with one hand and Theo with the other.

Kari was happy for the distraction. She didn’t know how much longer she could stand fighting back the blush starting to erupt over her face.

When they entered the hallway, all eyes turned to them. Words like “fight” and “skunk” whispered through the air. It followed with laughter as they passed. Fatimah continued to pull them along until they reached Kari’s locker.

“Well, that was quite the event,” she said as she fiddled with the dial on the locker. “We got twice as many looks today.”

“Why can’t they just mind their own business?” Kari asked absently.

“Because their lives are boring. They only wish you could be as amazing as you two,” Fatimah answered.

“I don’t think smelling like a skunk and beating up a guy are super powers people are jealous of,” Theo said from behind them.

“I’m just saying that your lives are way more exciting than theirs. Besides, who cares what they say? Just live your lives and let’s have some fun.” Fatimah closed her locker and turned to both of them. “Just forget them.”

Kari closed her locker the looked passed the crowd towards her first class. “Did I miss too much? I feel so behind.”

Theo shook his head. “Not really. Just some paperwork and some simple assignments in each class. I can help you if you want.”

Kari nodded. She could feel that blush creeping up. “That would be great, actually.”

The bell rang overhead.

“I’ll see you guys at lunch. Usual spot?” Theo directed his question to Fatimah.

She nodded. “You got it. Later.” She flicked her fingers in wave at him as he left.

The girls watched him disappear in the crowded hallway. A few people waved over their noses as he passed and laughed.

Fatimah grabbed Kari’s arm and led her towards her next class. “He likes you,” she said in a singsong.

“Yeah, right,” Kari said.

“Why else would he hang around?”

“I dunno.”

“Well he either likes you or feels indebted to you for saving him. Maybe both.” She squealed. “Ooh, it’s totally happening for you!”

Kari pulled her arm loose from Fatimah’s excited bouncing. “Even if that’s the case, there is no way Mother would let me.”

“She doesn’t have to know.”

Kari shook her head. “She doesn’t, but she would find out at some point and that would be bad for everyone. Me, him, and probably you, too.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

Kari hiked her bag up higher on her shoulder. “Let’s just be friends with him. That’s enough, right?”

Fatimah cocked her head. “I guess. Can I date him then? He’s kind of cute in that skinny boy kind of way.”

Kari felt her face frown.

Fatimah cracked a smile then burst out laughing. “Never mind, I’ll keep my hands off him. I wouldn’t want to incur the wrath of the mighty Kari. We all know how that ended for Flynn.”

Kari crossed her arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you want to date him, go ahead.”

Fatimah shook her head. “I’m just joking. Don’t look so serious.” The bell rang. “Alright, I got to go. I’ll meet you in the courtyard for lunch.”

Kari waved goodbye and entered her English class. The next two periods went as expected. The teachers all gave her a stern looks and loaded her up with her missed work. She was relieved when she was finally released for lunch. She tromped through the lunch line. This time she was careful and watched what other people picked, but still was unsure exactly what would be covered by her lunch card.

She stood in line at the register. Her tray contained a carton of chocolate milk, a chicken burger, a roll, ketchup, and a scoop of Jell-O. She hoped this would count. When it was her turn, she zipped her card through. The lunch lady gave her a tray a skeptical look and let her pass. Kari sighed in relief. She took off through the crowded cafeteria, then through the outside door and into the courtyard. After a quick look around, she spotted Fatimah and Theo on a bench by the door. It was the same bench from the first day.

Kari sat on the ground with a sigh and leaned her back against the bench.

“Do you want to sit up here?” Theo offered.

“No, I’m just happy to be away from all those people.” She lifted her eyes to the rest of the courtyard. Upperclassmen were talking, eating, and kissing on the benches spread around them. “Maybe tomorrow we can eat out on the grass out there instead?”

Fatimah swallowed a bite of her sandwich. “Isn’t that where you guys got in a fight?”

“Yeah, but at least it will be away from all of this.” Kari pointed to the couples.

“What’s wrong Kari? Does watching people make-out make you frisky?” Fatimah teased with a low rumble in her voice.

Kari elbowed her in the calf. Fatimah let out a squeak of pain and Theo laughed. His boyish laughter brought a giggle to her own lips and before they knew it, all three of them were laughing together.

Fatimah caught her breath. “Alright, alright. Tomorrow we’ll sit on the grass, but let’s stay in the sight of the hall monitors. I don’t want to get drawn into one of your bully battles.”

Kari nibbled at her lunch. This day was going much more smoothly than the first one. She felt at ease as she sat with her two friends, one old and one new. She wondered briefly how her high school life would play out with these two good people at her side.

When the bell rang, the girls bid Theo goodbye. Fatimah walked with Kari to drop off her tray, then went to math class. The teacher gave her a talking to and before they knew it, the period was over and the three of them were sitting in the back of the biology class chattering away.

Kari again had that overwhelming feeling of belonging and friendship, even when Flynn came in.

“Fat Fat Fatimah and her smelly buddies,” Flynn sang.

A few of the other student laughed. Flynn’s face was still a ripe purple. Numerous lumps and bumps covered his nose and cheeks. Theo and Fatimah paid him no attention. They continued their conversation of catching Kari up on the homework. Kari spared a glance at Flynn and then turned back to their table. So, far this was her favorite class.

The class ended too soon. Kari said goodbye to her friends and went to reading class. At least it was quiet. It had only one objective and that was to read. This was the first class where the teacher didn’t seem to care she had been gone for the first three days. She picked out the book “The Fellowship of the Ring” by J.R.R. Tolkien and began. By the end of the period, she felt confused and overwhelmed by the language, but decided to power through it the next day. She packed up her stuff and headed to her last class.

To her surprised, Theo sat in the back of the class. She walked towards his desk. He lifted his eyes as she approached and smiled.

“I didn’t know you were in my class,” he said.

“Me either. Is this seat taken?”

“Who cares? Just sit there anyways.”

Kari set her bag down at his table and sat next to him. “How does this class work?”

“It’s not too bad. It’s my favorite class now.”

Kari looked away. She wasn’t sure if he was smiling or not, but she was. It was her favorite class now, too.

#freefiction