Nevermore one day, Nevermore always

Chapter 5

        Katsa looked at Nevermore's court one last time, it was so much for her to go back to New York, she had not said goodbye to anyone, she did not like to say goodbye. And didn't want to have to do it a second time with them. Her mother, Kristin, put a supportive hand on her shoulder, waving at her towards the exit. Katsa bit her lower lip before following her to the FBI SUV, but it was without counting on Xavier and the others to come and say goodbye, accompanied by Mrs Weems.

"Oh no," whispered Katsa, who wanted to avoid it.

Miss Gaines, it was a great pleasure to have you with us even for a short time. You have always had a special place in this Nevermore family," said the director.

"Thank you Ms. Weems, of all the institutions I've been to, you're the only one who really cares about the well-being of the students and you get involved."

Weems smiles at him before disappearing to make room for the comrades. Enid hugged Katsa with tears in her eyes, and Katsa gave her a slight embrace, not at all comfortable. Divina joined her by tying a bracelet around her wrist, a bracelet with a pretty blue ribbon, representing water, the element of sirens, letters coming to place on the wrist "D & K". 

"I will never be far like that" Divina said before retreating, leaving room for her twin.

Kent picked up Katsa.

"Make sure I think of you while eating sushi," Katsa joked, kicking him in the chest.

Xavier approached Katsa, the face forbidden, he wanted to tie her in her shed so that she did not leave, unfortunately something impossible especially with her mother, Special Agent Kristin Gaines right next door. Instead, the young artist handed her a leaf. Katsa looked up to Xavier, the interrogator.

"Look," said Xavier, smiling in the corner.

Katsa carefully unfolded the paper and discovered a pretty portrait of the little band they formed, Katsa being in the centre.

"I'll put it in a frame so it doesn't get damaged."

"Nevermore one day, Nevermore always." Xavier smiled and kissed his forehead.

Katsa greeted the last ones; Ajax, Yoko and even Bianca and Wednesday, slipping a word to the young Addams.

"Appearances are deceiving, beware of the sheriff."

 Kristin pressed her daughter's shoulder, knowing how much she loved the school, they had a long talk one night when Ingrid was at her father's house. Katsa had confided in the fact that she didn't feel comfortable in New York, in the high school she had just joined since the doctors' green light, that not being able to use her powers, being the only "different" was hard to bear, that she felt so much better at Nevermore and that not being able to talk about it or at least communicate with her former comrades only reinforced the lack a little more. Kristin had tried to talk a little about it with the psychologist but he didn't want to change. With a heavy heart, Katsa sat on the passenger seat, watching the landscape slowly advancing, refusing to take a look in the rearview mirror.

"Are you ready? Are you okay?"

 "I'm sorry, I can't..." said Katsa before jumping out of the car and running in the opposite direction.

Divina was the first to react and joined her running, hugging her in flight. The two friends stayed for a while, before Kent pushed his sister. Kristin joined them, a sympathetic smile towards his daughter.

"Would you make a second exception during the year?" Kristin began as Director Weems came to position herself next to her.

Technically this is no exception as Katsa was already part of Nevermore. Aren't you afraid to leave her here again after the incident?"

A little, but she is well surrounded, the guilty punished. And then this is her place among you. She's never been more fulfilled than in your institution. I'd rather see her like that, than unhappy at home. I'll talk to his psychologist."

"She can be followed here in Jericho, we work with a talented psychologist."

"Perfect. She doesn't talk much about that famous day, just that she did what she had to do to defend one of her own." said Kristin.

 "She's going to have a little time to adjust and it would be nice if you didn't talk to each other."

"Of course, I admit that I will have a little trouble waiting, but I know that she is in good hands with you, and that she will be surrounded by her comrades."

"We'll put it with Yoko, having no other place for the moment. Divina sharing her room with Bianca now."

Kristin turned to her daughter who was chatting with Divina and Enid, Kent having an elbow laid nonchalantly on the shoulder of the young Gaines. Weems joined them announcing the return of Katsa among them, and informing about the new collocation. Divina addressed a sorry smile to her friend, a smile intercepted by Bianca who scolded. But she took comfort in the fact that she was keeping Divina, preventing her rival from having her former roommate. New goal: Xavier. She wanted to win back the young man, even though he is recalcitrant, and Katsa being also her ex-girlfriend was there also a rival.

"Miss Gaines, we still have your uniform at the reception, and your schedule is the same as your classmates. You'll just have to choose an extra-curricular activity, but I'll give you time to get back on track here."

 "I thought I'd go back to archery and music," Katsa replied, exchanging a look with her smiling mother.

"Perfect!"

Bianca blew loudly, necessarily archery, and Xavier, who seemed delighted by the smile he displayed.

"Well, it's time to go back inside. Let Katsa say goodbye to her mother." said Weems.

Everyone left except Kent, who waited a little further in order to escort his friend. Kristin took her daughter's hands in hers, pressing them tenderly.

"Are you sure?" asked the special agent.

"Absolutely, I've been dying to come back here for so long."

"Since when? You never told me."

"Actually, since I got out of the hospital after the accident. But the way the shrink was, and the others who wouldn't even listen to what I had to say, I had no say in it. At no time was I asked for my opinion, and the therapist even forbade me to mention Nevermore or one of my comrades, making me feel like a nobody. So I didn't say anything, and I dreamed of the day when I could see them again, go shopping with Divina, watch Xavier draw, challenge Kent..."

 "I'm so sorry, honey."

It's not your fault, I enjoyed spending time with you again, and it was different than when you were in Miami. You don't blame me for leaving this way?"

"No, until you're happy, and promise to write to me." Kristin smiles as she strokes her daughter's cheek.

"I promise. Take care of yourself in the field. And you write me if you're not okay?"

"Deal made. I better go, I'll get your stuff to you as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Mom, I love you."

"I love you too, my pretty witch," said Kristin, kissing her eldest cheek.

Katsa watched her mother walk away before reaching Kent, who passed an arm around her comrade's shoulders.

"You're under escort," laughed the mermaid.

 "I see that, how lucky I am! I could have found Yoko's room on my own, you know."

"I know, but I wanted to go with you. I'm glad you're back. And I owe you a lot for saving Divina."

"Kent stops, you owe me nothing. Let's rejoice that she's nothing that's all. And if you talk about it again, I'll cut off your mermaid cock!" joked Katsa

The young man stopped at the door, laid a kiss on Katsa's forehead before knocking around like a moron and running to his dormitory.