I'm Fine (#Wattys2015)

50

Hey y'all! So there are only going to be a few more chapters left. Enjoy!

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The fact that Nick shared something so... so very depressing was just... wow. I guess I was not expecting that. Right now, though, I am laying in my bed thinking. Some say I over think. I disagree, but it could be true.

I must say that I am quite surprised. I was expecting something more along the lines of 'Oh. He moved away.' or 'Car accident.'

But murder. That is just so sad. And his parents. My guess is that they probably left the area.

How did I not know about this? I did not read about a murder in the newspaper or on line or see something on the television. Did they find the one who killed him? Is he, or she, locked away? County or state? Are they going to kill any more people?

Okay... maybe I do over think sometimes. But at least I could admit it. I am not too high in the clouds to not be able to see things.

Staring up at the ceiling, I find myself daydreaming. About love and fairy tales. About being a hero in a superhero comic. Wishing I could ride away on a dragon so i don't have to confront my father. How I could be a magical fairy. Just wave a wand and make everything better.

But I can't ride away, or use a magic wand. I need to go on with wwhat needs to happen. I will talk to the one I call Dad.

And with that I fall asleep.

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When I wake up in the morning, it is to Nick knocking on my door. "Get up ya lazy ass." I says, a hint of laughter in his voice.

"Ugh." I groan. "No."

"We got school. And you need to pay attention today. No day dreams. No get up and get some clothes."

"Fine, mom." I say sarcastically.

"Hey." Nick whines. "I am making butter and jelly toast for breakfast."

"Ooh. Yummy."

"But only one you get up." I can just imagine Nick standing there, outside my door, shaking his finger at me.

"I'm up, I'm up." I say, truely meaning it. I rool over onto the floor and just about hit my head on the nightstand.

Nick must have heard the sound to say "You alright, Jo?"

"Dandy." I pause to get up. "Now let me get ready. Have breakfast on the table right when I get down there please."

"Sure. Just let me do my hair. You got ten minutes."

"What!" I screech.

"Yeah. I woke up just a few minutes ago and saw the time. I was like 'shit gotta get Jo up. Please don't let her kill me, God.'"

I laugh. "Alright, ya doofas leave me alone so I can get ready." I am now on overdrive, getting a cute sweatshirt and dark wash skinny jeans. I get a pair of converse and a matching beanie. All of this is in my duffel.

Eight minutes later, both Nick and I are scarfing down toast with butter and jelly on it. We rush out the door and to the bustop just when the bus comes. "Good timing." I say out of breath as we climb on.

"Y-yeah."

We get to the brick building called school about twenty or so minutes later. Just to see my father's black truck pulled up to the curb.

Nick and I are walking towards the doors by the truck. I am shaking some. Nick tries to keep me calm by rubbing my shoulders, but it is not helping. The confrontation is too soon. Too fucking soon.

Dad gets out of the truck as we approach. A smug smile on his face. Mom is close behind. "Now, don't do this." Mom begs quietly. She grasps his arm.

"No. Let me. Josie needs to know." Dad pushes Mom off of him.

"Hey. No. Do not push her." Nick says. I am stunned.

"Well, anyway, why don't you come with us instead of school? We need to talk." Dad says, brushing off the fact that Nick stood up for Mom. In some ways, I am glad I did not start the conversation. But I kind of wish Dad was not the one to start it.

"O... okay." I say hesitantly. Mom and Dad get in the truck. I grab hold of Nick's wrist and lead him to the back seat.

"Wait. I am going?" Nick asks.

"Yeah. At least you are now."

"Um... alrighty then." Nick says a kind of bashful look on his face. I smile at him and we buckle in. Soon after you could hear the click from buckles on seat belts, the truck starts to move. It lurched forward and we drove away from the school.

Later, we found ourselves at the local cafe. We went inside, mom and dad in front of Nick and I. My fifteen year old self scared of my own parents. That is why I brought the only slightly older Nick Rogers with me. To protect and support me.

We all sit down. And then, my father starts to talk.