To Be Accepted

To Be Accepted Part 3

   The next morning started off like any other. I got up to get ready for school, so that when Adam and Steve showed up, I would be able to just hop in Adam's truck so we could head down the road. So, I had a quick breakfast, then went to dress, brush my teeth, and everything else I had to do to get ready. While I was getting ready, the phone rang, but thinking nothing of it, I went to the living room to watch TV after getting ready.

   My mom was still home, because it wasn't quite time for her to go to work yet. A few seconds later, she walked in the living room.

   "Mike, turn the TV off please, I need to tell you something." my mom said.

   "What is it?" I asked.

   "Adam just called, he won't be able to take you to school this morning. There's been an accident down by Steve's house, it's going to be a while before he has to detour to make it to school on time, so I'll have to take you." my mom said.

   So, thinking nothing of it, I got my backpack on, then my mom got in the car to take me to school. When we got there, she dropped me off, we said our goodbyes, then I walked in the building, and the mood just felt very somber. I looked around, I saw nothing but students crying, trying to comfort each other. I was totally confused on what was going on, until I caught sight of Adam, who was also in tears.

   I ran up to Adam, who bent down to talk to me.

   "What's going on Adam? Why is everybody crying?" I asked.

   "Mike, I um... I don't know quite how to tell you this except to just be honest with you." Adam said, "There was an accident this morning, which was why I couldn't come pick you up this morning."

   I looked around, noticing Steve wasn't around, but thought maybe he was still at his locker.

   "Where's Steve, is he still at his locker?" I asked.

   "Mike, please, let me finish." Adam said patiently, "Steve, and nine other students were hit by a car this morning. Seven students were injured, but unfortunately, three didn't survive...... Steve didn't make it buddy..... I'm sorry."

   "Tell me you're lying Adam! PLEASE! Tell me you're lying!" I begged.

   "I wish I could little guy." Steve replied, "But unfortunately, it's true....... Steve died."

    At that moment, I completely lost it, but Adam was quick to try to comfort me. I no sooner began bursting into tears, that Adam threw those gigantic arms of his around me, hugging me. I'd never cried so hard in my life. Steve was like a brother to me, but knowing that he would no longer be by my side, it tore me apart inside. Adam however, he stayed with me for as long as I needed. As Adam was comforting me, an announcement came over the loudspeaker by the principal.

   The principal announced that due to the morning's tragic events, teachers were to not distribute curriculum, nor give lessons today. Students were even encouraged to be free to ask if they could go home if they needed to, then the loudspeaker turned off. After the announcement, Adam asked me if I wanted him to take me home. I looked Adam in the eye, shaking my head no.

   "Are you sure buddy? I know you're in no shape to be here." Adam said.

   "My mom and stepfather aren't home, plus, I'd rather stay here to be with you." I replied.

   Adam smiled at me, drying my tears, "If that's what my little buddy wants, that's what my little buddy gets." he said quietly.

   Adam walked me to Mr. Campbell's room, which as he looked in the window, there were barely any students present, because most of them had gone home for the day. 

   "Will you go in with me?" I asked Adam.

   "Sure." Adam replied, knowing he'd be free to do what he wanted, knowing that classes were cancelled in a way.

   As Adam and I entered the room, Mr. Campbell looked up, saw us enter and take our seats, but then just smiled at us, leaving us to have quiet time together. I took my usual seat, but Adam took the seat right beside me, then once we both were seated, he put his arm around me to hold me. Just having Adam with me, was already doing me a world of good, there was no way I could get through this alone. 

   Adam actually stayed with me the entire day in Mr. Campbell's classroom, only leaving to go to lunch, or use the restroom. I sat with Adam at lunch, but eating wasn't on my list of things to do. All I could do was think of Steve. I started to tear up a couple times, where after Adam finished eating, he got up from the table, waving for me to follow him, which I was only too quick to do. He threw his trash in the garbage can, then we left the cafeteria.

   As we were walking back to Mr. Campbell's class, another announcement came over the loudspeaker from the principal, saying he was calling school for the rest of the day, meaning that students could go home if they wanted. I didn't want to go through having everybody in school see me crying all the time, even though I wasn't the only one who was, so I asked Adam if he could take me home, he just smile, gave me a nod, then we went back to our lockers to put things away, and get our jackets.

   After getting done at our lockers, Adam and I walked to his truck, so he could take me home. When we got there, my mom and stepfather were obviously still at work, so Adam took it upon himself to stay with me until they got home, which wasn't until around 6pm. Adam called his parents to let them know he'd be a lot later than normal getting home, because he was with me, which they were fine with given the situation.

   Once my mom and stepfather got home, they saw Adam with me, but pretty much knew why he was visiting, so they thanked him for staying with me, which he was only too happy to do, then he came to say goodbye to me, giving me a great big hug, then telling me he'd be over tomorrow, because the principal would end up not having classes the next day, as all parents with kids in the school, would get a text saying that the next day's classes would be cancelled.

   Sleeping that night would be pretty much a no-go. A report of the accident on the news said the woman who hit the students with her car was not charged, because witnesses said that while she did lose control of the car, a witness who saw her in the car when it plowed into the students, said that she was actually trying to steer the car away from them, but the car just kept veering to the right, not the left. Police did a breathalyzer on her, which she passed, they searched her car, found nothing but a spilled coffee cup, found nothing in her purse, she passed a lie detector, so police could do nothing but conclude that it was just a tragic, unfortunate accident.

   The next day, Adam would return to stay with me while my parents went to work, but upon doing so, he would have a new friend with him, that he would hope, could help him keep my mind off Steve's passing, before having to go to Steve's funeral later in the day.

   TO BE CONTINUED..................................................................................................................