Healing Myself

"Let's go."

Leon and I talked for hours before we ended up falling asleep in my bed. It was nice to finally see him in person after a month of being away from each other.

The next day was mostly spent with us lounging around with Pumpkin. Leon used to tolerate the dog for his family before. Pumpkin hadn't given him the best first impression as the poor dog had been confused between the two brothers and had attempted to bite his hand. That was where the scar on the back of his right hand came from.

He'd left last night, joking about how he needed to see his parents so they wouldn't think I had kidnapped him or something. Of course, they would never think that in reality. Anna and Elios loved me like their own. And if we were talking about kidnapping, it was more likely that Leon would be the one kidnapping me.

He was unpredictable like that.

Today is registration day. Since our schedules will be taken care of by Dr. Sean and Owen, the main reason we're going to Ashley Waters today is to get introduced to the Principal and Vice Principal.

Technically, we already know them. We've seen their files. Whereas Mr. Hendricks, the principal, is completely clean of anything against the law; the vice principal, Mr. McCoy's file was practically drowning in assaults. I cannot begin to understand how he has kept his job after all the different women he has harassed in his lifetime.

But then again, Ashley Waters is struggling and they need all the people they can get, no matter how lowly they might be. Now, I know I have no right to judge people, but a man who does not respect women is not a man at all.

As I am feeling a little favoured toward my darker clothing today, I'm wearing a black top and a flannel skirt. It also gives me a uniform look, though I know we aren't technically supposed to have one, but I like it. I look great and I feel great and I just hope today will be great as well.

I doubt it will be when we have our first meeting with Mr. McPervert.

Shut up and be an optimist for once, conscience.

Bleh.

"Kota will be driving you, right?" My mother asks, muting the T.V. that is currently playing the rerun of Young Sheldon. Unlike Dad, who calls him Dakota even after being told otherwise by me, Mom calls my new friend Kota. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that she has been spending time with his mom, Erica.

Dad had to leave early today due to an emergency in the company he and Elios share. He did tell me to take care and kick butt before leaving though.

I swear, it's adorable how hard he tries not to swear at times.

"Yes, Mom."

She nods. "I was thinking maybe you should tell some of your friends from Palm Springs to look after Jessica there. Being the new student can be tough."

Ah. Kota's little sister. I hadn't met her yet, just like I hadn't met Kota's mother, but from what Mom has told me she is a sweet 14 year old girl.

"Don't worry. I've already made the arrangements so she won't have any problems." I give her a secretive smile.

Because Danielle loves showing people around and shit, I had already talked to her about it over the phone, about how she would have to show one shy, little Jessica Lee around until she was comfortable in Palm Springs' environment.

Not that it would be very hard. It was a great school with great kids. Of course, there were some people you were just bound to not get along with, but otherwise everyone had always been nice to me there.

"That's good then. Good luck for today, kiddo."

I give her a kiss on the cheek before getting out of our home. Seeing Kota getting his car out, I wave at him as I walk toward Nathan's house that is right beside mine and he gives me a smile in acknowledgment. After ringing the doorbell, it doesn't take a minute before Nathan's out and locking his front door.

It makes me curious about the whereabouts of his parents or perhaps a guardian, but it isn't my place so I restrain from voicing any of the questions in my head.

Once he's done locking the door, he turns around and grins at me, his blue eyes light. "Good morning, Sang."

His grin makes me feel a little better about today. I smile back. "Good morning, Nathan."

Before we can do more than exchange greetings, Kota's sedan is right in front of us, his head of brown hair motioning for us to get inside. I move to open the back door as Nathan opens the front but before I can sit in, his confused voice stops me.

"Hey, Sang, I opened the door for you."

I open the back door and just as I'm about to sit in, my movement is stopped by one of my most favourite voices to hear.

"Whoa, hey, where are you going, Sunshine?"

I turn my head towards Dylan who is in the driver's seat. He is looking at me confused, and for that matter, so is Leon.

"What?" I ask.

"Pixie," Leon starts in a calming voice, "you're supposed to sit upfront."

"But why? Your legs are longer."

"So that we can hold hands while I drive." Dylan answers confidently, like he always does in class.

"And so that I can act like Dill Pickle is my driver."

I move forward and sit upfront quietly, already knowing how this conversation will end, yet doing nothing to stop it.

"Technically, I am the driver." Dylan states.

"That's just-That's just wrong. You're supposed to get offended." Leon points an accusing finger at his barely older brother.

"Looks like it backfired." He replies easily, grasping my hand in his own and giving me a wink.

"And now you've managed to offend me. That's so much worse." Leon exclaims dramatically.

"Calm down, Drama Queen. Let's go, driver."

I see Leon pout in the rearview mirror as Dylan just laughs.

"Okay." I leave the door open for Nathan to get in and move to sit upfront. "Good morning, Kota."

"Good morning to you too, Sang." He does that boy nod thing with Nathan, and then addresses all of us when he says his next words.

"Let's go."

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