Healing ||mileven||

Back to school

A lot of kids would have been happy to have 3 weeks off school, not El. She missed spending time with her friends desperately. Yes, she saw Will at home every day, and Mike always came over after school, but it wasn't the same.

Peter had advised her to take the opportunity to reflect on everything that had happened since starting school, how far she had advanced how much she had achieved. In some small way it worked, she felt proud of herself for doing well in her studies, settling in at school. She decided not to dwell on it, not to beat herself up any more. In her mind, she was sure what she had done wasn't bad. Yes, maybe she shouldn't have lost control in the principal's office and beaten Troy, but she would defend the girl, any student in fact, again in a heartbeat, regardless of the punishment.

Today was the day of the principal's meeting with El and Joyce, to ensure she understood why she had been suspended, that she was ready to come back, and to make an official agreement that it wouldn't happen again.

"Come in Mrs Byers, El, please sit down" said Mr Archer, and they sat as told. "Right, you know why you're here, we have these meetings to ensure a smooth transition back into school. It will be your responsibility to catch up on any work missed. As you have been suspended for 3 weeks you will be on report for the next 3 weeks, every class the teacher will need to sign this form here" he said, handing over a small booklet to El. "Any concerns and I'll be told straight way, do you understand."

"Yes" she answered, meeting his eye.

He narrowed his eyes a little, not liking the fact that she didn't seem intimidated or bothered by the whole thing. In truth, she was completely at peace now with what had happened and just wanted to move on, not give it a second thought. "Ok, so, regarding what happened with Troy, I think it might be a good idea if you stay as far away from him as possible, understand?"

It was Els turn to narrow her eyes, she knew lying was bad, but while she had no intention of letting Troy bully anyone else, she didn't want the principal to know that. Joyce watched as El nodded in agreement, she could read her much better than the principal and was pretty sure she knew what El was thinking.

"Ok then El, we'll see you back at school tomorrow, and remember what I said about Troy."

...........................

The next day Mike biked over to the Byers' house early so he could ride with El to school. Joyce answered when he knocked on the door, "hi Mike, El's in her room, you can go through if you like."

"Thanks, Mrs Byers." He dropped his bag inside the door and made his way to her room. The door was half open, so he just knocked softly whilst opening it further. "El?" She was sat on her bed just staring out of the window.

"Hey Mike" she said, turning to face him.

He couldn't quite place her expression, so he sat beside her and, putting his arm around her shoulders, asked "are you ok? Are you nervous about today?" She gave him a small smile and nodded. Rubbing her back in comforting circles, he said "it'll be fine, we'll all be there for you."

"Thank you, Mike" she said, smiling at him properly now. "Let's go"

As they were leaving Joyce called El over, "do you mind waiting outside, Mike, Will?" They nodded in agreement, glancing at each other worriedly. "El, I'm not going to give you a lecture, but I'll just say one thing, whatever you are planning regarding Troy, just be careful ok? Make sure it's worth it..."

El looked at Joyce, impassively at first, but her real emotions soon shone through. "If I see him hurting someone, I will step in, no question...because no one else will...and for me, that's worth it."

Joyce studied her face for a minute, finding her resolute in her decision Joyce gave her a genuine smile, "and that's why I'm so proud of you." She gave El a quick hug, "you'd better go, don't want to be late on your first day back."

...........................

The journey was uneventful, they locked up their bikes then made their way to form. Unfortunately, even though El was meant to stay away from Troy, she couldn't not see him altogether as they shared a form and most of their classes.

She was very careful not to make eye contact with him, not entirely trusting herself and her reactions, but that didn't mean she wasn't keeping a careful watch on him. She had made a promise to herself that he would never hurt anyone again if she could help it, no matter the consequences.

...........................