My Daughter's Teacher

I understand

November 11th, 2022
Harlow Hanes

I always thought people were being dramatic when they said the lights in the room were damn near blinding when waking up in a hospital bed. They weren't. My eyes were burning immediately after they were opened.

It took me a few seconds to get used to the light but after that I began scanning the room. I was still squinting so I couldn't really see who was in the room with me. And whoever it was, was keeping their voices low making it harder for me.

I looked in the direction the voice was coming from and saw Salem talking quietly into her phone.

"Salem?" My voice was hoarse and it hurt to speak.'

"Hey."

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Uh...two-thirty-nine," She answered, "Hold on. I'm gonna call Ash. She'll explain everything."

I take it I was at the hospital Ashley worked at. What a coincidence! Gotta love being face to face with two people that probably hates you.

She had a small conversation on the phone before telling me Ashley said "not to move and that she's on her way".

I gave her a small nod and closed my eyes again. They were starting to water. I wasn't crying, the lights were genuinely just unnecessarily bright.

A few moments later Ashley came in the room along with two nurses. The nurses began moving around me quickly. One was checking the monitors and the other was examining the IV. Ashley had a clipboard in her hand and stood close to Salem.

"As much as im not your biggest fan right now, you're still my friend and I care. And because I care I'm doing something on the illegal side. We will keep things professional, understand?" She spoke.

I nodded in response.

"Good. First things first: Salem isn't family and I'm not sure if she's a friend so I'm obligated to ask if you want her to stay. Nod once if you want her to. Shake your head twice if you want her to leave."

I nodded once. I really wanted to talk to her once we were the only ones in the room again.

"Alright. Secondly: You had a pretty severe concussion due to the blows you took to the head. That led you to going in to a coma. You've been out for twenty-four hours. You will be discharged today after we run some tests. If you wish to press charges, the police are here for a statement." Ashley explained.

I was conflicted. If I press charges JJ's gonna go to jail and I'll have to raise Halo on my own. If I don't he's gonna get away with this thinking what he did was okay.

"I- can I...I'll go to the station."

Ashley nodded and walked out of the room. The nurses followed soon after leaving me and Salem in the room by ourselves...again.

It was quiet; an awkward silence lacing the room. I gained the courage to break it after two minutes.

"I'm sorry. I know saying "sorry" won't magically undo what I did but I'm saying it anyway. Jason is a very selfish person. He was upset that I was with you so he said what he said. I'm not playing the victim, but I am defending myself. He lied to you, Salem. I didn't cheat on you. I would never! I did fuck him, yes, but it was before we got together. He made it seem like I did it while we were dating. You don't deserve to be cheated on. You're a beautiful person, with a beautiful soul. I couldn't cheat on you if I tried. And then he told my kids I was a slut out of jealousy."

She didn't say anything. I could see she was deep in thought.

"I forgive you," she nodded, "But I'm not going to pretend what you did was okay."

I understood. The room went silent again. Though this time the silence wasn't as awkward.

"Why'd he put his hands on you? Harlow, why did he punch you?" She asked.

"He called me a slut, to my face so I slapped him. Next thing I knew I was hearing voices then blacked out and woke up in this bed."

"Hmm." She hummed.

She got up from the chair she was sitting in and began walking towards me. I thought she was going to hit me too so I flinched. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me. I don't know why I got emotional but as soon as I felt her body touching mine I broke. I sobbed in her arms.

In the midst of our hug the door swung open revealing Halo, Atticus, and Lilian.

"Mommy!" Halo gasped, "You're awake!"

"Hi, my love, hi Atticus!" I smiled. I missed my babies.

We had a small group hug before Salem left. I wonder if I'll hear from her outside of school. I doubt I will but a girl can only dream.

"You were sleep for so long," Atticus frowned, "We thought you died."

"But I didn't! I'm okay."

_+_+_+_

Lilian left with the kids an hour in so they could get ready for school. She was supposed to drop them off at her house with Fin and then come back so she could take me home but she wasn't replying to my texts.

There was a soft knock at the door. It couldn't be Lilian because Lilian's heavy handed and doesn't know what 'soft' meant.

"Come in."

Salem stood in the doorway holding car keys.

"You're back?" I questioned, my brows furrowed in confusion.

"I'm taking you home. Fin is still at work and Lilian didn't want the kids outside."

"Oh...um...I know it sounds crazy but can I stay at your place? I'll sleep on the couch... I just don't want to be home alone right now. And I can't go back into my bedroom-"

"It's okay, Harlow," She smiled, "I understand. You just went through something really traumatic."

"Thanks." I nodded.

"Of course."

1010 words

A/n: Poor Harlow :( I feel bad lowkey but aye man it is what it is. We have like three more chapters and then the epilogue. The next chapter will be a time skip and in Harlow's pov. The time skip is going to be during winter break! After that is Lilian and Raven's gender reveals, and then they're gonna find JJ. Then there's the epilogue, of course.
-Mj