Pavane for a Lost Boy (Or Rather, How to Survive Loss after Rejection)

Chapter Sixty-Six

Too soon, it was time to head back to school (the events from the shooting had totally place future school events in total disarray, yet only a couple of them were cancelled) as I joined my usual crew for our morning routine. "Demario, you gave everyone such a scare for the past two weeks," Epiphany breathed as she and Serenity gave me a big hug after Oliver and my foster brothers escorted me to school. "How are you feeling after everything- the shooting, losing Jillian and Artem, and all?"

"Well, I'm just taking things one day at a time, but I'm still shaken up by everything that's been going down," I admitted before giving both girls a quick yet detailed recap of what went down, Derrick and Holly joining us soon as we headed for our lockers. "In short, you can say that I'm living the life of a soap-opera character who wants to escape the drama yet seems to run into more of it."

"I bet it is," Serenity commented, shaking her head. "From Ryan and Theo still incognito after everything to your paternal aunts coming over. I can't even imagine living in your shoes for a day if given the opportunity, Demario."

"Well, I'm just glad that you guys are around to help me stay sane because whether I like it or not, I have a strong feeling that things are going to get more messed-up than I can even handle," I replied just as I saw the Callaway duo approach us. "And how can I help you two?"

"Good morning, Demario," greeted Mrs. Callaway, giving me soft smile. "I take it that you're on the mend after what happened?"

I nodded. "I was lucky that I didn't suffer more damaged by the gunshots," I commented. "The doctors told me and my foster family that I must've had some sort of guardian angel protecting me. In a way, I'd like to think the same thing."

And more than I already knew, hence my encounter with my late grandparents, I thought to myself.

"I bet that's a hard fact to believe," Mr. Callaway intoned. "Anyway, Ms. Machado from Berman-Dawes Academy was aware of what happened that fateful night, though she was lucky enough to have left earlier. She commented that her heart dropped when she learned that you were shot and was afraid that someone was jealous enough to want you dead, but I assured her that it wasn't the case. All the same, she is back in town and wants to talk to you and Oliver about the scholarship offer later this afternoon- that is, if you and Mr. Slade are still interested."

"Of course we are," I replied, Oliver nodding in assent. "I take it that my foster dads as well as Oliver's uncle have been informed?"

"They have, and they'll meet with us over lunch," Mrs. Callaway noted. "Demario, if I haven't said this already, then it must be said: you are one marvel of a student that has been through so much in so little time. Most kids who are in your shoes might've chosen to give up and succumb to the false promises and depressions. But you? I am so proud of you for allowing yourself to keep moving forward and learning to heal from your past. It hasn't been easy for you, I know, but please don't let the darkness swallow you whole. Promise me that you're going to keep using your support system as part of your methods and guiding lights to help you walk the path."

Oliver squeezed my hand as I took a deep breath. "Thank you, ma'am," I said, keeping my voice even. "And I will. Ollie made me promise the same thing as he promised to continue being my rock."

"And that's so sweet," Holly cooed just as the bell rang for students to head to homeroom. "We'd better get a move on. A long day awaits."

She didn't have to tell me twice. Going our separate ways, Oliver and I promised everyone to talk about what would be said over lunch. And with Mrs. Callway's words in my heart, I was going to make sure that I fulfilled my promises to my friends and to myself.

************

"Mr. Bader, my sympathies go out to you after your ordeal," Ms. Machado, now dressed in a dark-pink pantsuit, said as Oliver and I joined her, Oliver's uncle, Joel and Taylor, Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada, and even the Tuckers in the band room where a private lunch was being served. Also with us was my maternal aunt Denise and her husband Trey and even Yvonne. "I can't imagine how you are now coping with everything going on so far."