Blood in the Water

Are you okay?

"Alyssa," Connor whispered while slightly shaking me awake.
"Mmm yeah," I said while opening my eyes.
"It's time for school, the alarm just went off," Connor said in his hot morning voice.
"Ok, I'll get up."

      I sat up and hopped over to my desk chair. Connor stayed in bed because he didn't do much to get ready in the morning. I straightened my hair and did a quick face of makeup. Connor aroused and grabbed us granola bars and berries.

We were eating when I got a text from Lydia, "Drew and Lucas left for morning practice earlier, want Jackson and I to come pick you guys up?"
I texted back, "Yes please."

      While I continued eating I told Connor the plan and he thought it was a satisfactory idea because it was my first day back and I started it with Jackson at my locker.

    I heard tires penetrate my driveway so I looked out my window. I saw Lydia's car, a gold Honda. Connor pushed my wheelchair out of the garage and we got into the backseat of Lydia's car.

"Hi guys," Lydia said enthusiastically. "Hey," I responded.
"We should get Starbucks," said Lydia.
"Yes we have the perfect amount of time," I said. "Ok I'll stop by the one by your house Lyssa," said Jackson.

    He was driving and Lydia was in the passenger seat. We drove through Starbucks and I got an iced vanilla latte. We all happily finished our drinks. I was trying to stay optimistic but I was so nervous and nauseous about today. I was shaking my leg and I think Connor noticed. He put his hand on my leg to stop the shaking.

"I'm nervous, shit," I said.
"No don't be that nervous Alyssa, what's the worst that can happen?" said Lydia.
"There are endless possibilities," I said.
"We won't leave your side," Jackson reassured me.
"Ok, ok."

       I was pondering hard about all of the worst-case scenarios while looking out of the window. I saw the immense school out of the window. We pulled into the junior parking lot and we all got out of the car. I had to go to the nurse's office to inform her of the state I was in before starting class.

"Connor, Jackson, and I can take her to the nurse because I know you need to get to class early," Lydia said.
"That would be great, I love you, Alyssa. I'll see you later, good luck," Connor said kissing my head.
"You ready?" Jackson asked.
"I guess," I responded nervously.

    He started pushing me and we made it into the nurse's office. We didn't need to pass many people to get there because it's inside of the main office.

"Hi, sweetie," the old nurse said looking me up and down.
"Hi, I'm Alyssa Payne. I was attacked by a shark over Thanksgiving break and, as you can see, I lost my leg. I was told to come here so you could tell me some important things."
"Well, you're in the right place. I am giving you this pass to leave class a few minutes early and use the elevator. This other pass is to excuse you from PE. I also want you to keep me updated during your recovery so I can help you during it at school."
"Ok thank you so much," I said while starting to leave the office.
"Have a good first day back."

Lydia said, "Bye Alyssa, see you in a few minutes."

     I was pushed out of the office. A group of sophomore girls walked by me staring and whispering in a huddle. I knew they were speculating about me. It hurt knowing everything was normal ten days ago. Jackson and I had lockers in the basement so we had to go down the elevator. He pushed me there and clicked the button.

"It's nice our lockers are right next to each other," Jackson said.
"Yeah totally, it helps now," I said.

      We got into the elevator. It was kind of nice. White and blue tile floor, expensive-looking buttons, and grey walls.