It's My Life

Chapter 5 - Graduation

Brad was in his office at work the following morning when his phone buzzed. He picked up the receiver.
"Thompson." He said.
"Doctor Thompson, I have the results for that blood sample you gave us. Are you able to come down to the lab?" The voice on the phone said. Brad sat up straight.
"I can be down in ten minutes. Have you alerted Director Jones of your findings?" Brad asked.
"No. Do you want us to?" The voice said.
"No. I'll do it. We'll be down soon. Thank you." Brad replied, then hung up. He then dialled Director Jones's extension and waited.
"Jones." Brad heard.
"Director, it's Brad Thompson. I was just advised the results of the blood sample has come back, and figured you would like to join me downstairs." Brad said. There was a pause as Director Jones rummaged around his desk.
"I'll meet you down there." He said, and hung up. Brad cradled his receiver and stood up, moving to the door. He paused, wondering if he should be doing this, but his scientific side won over, as well as his curiosity, and he headed downstairs, meeting Director Jones outside the lab entrance. They entered together, and a man in a white coat came over.
"What do you have for us, Doctor Shields?" Jones asked.
"Well, we ran all the normal tests, and the results were mostly ordinary, red blood cells fine, platelets. It brought up a few curiosities though. The cell regeneration is phenomenal, meaning the girl this blood comes from can heal extraordinarily fast, almost instantaneously. Also, the blood appears, at first glance, human. But there are some strands in there that baffles us. If I didn't know any better, I'd say a fish and a human bonded together. But it's only trace amounts, not to mention impossible. I would need to get more blood to test, the towel ruined a lot of the sample." Shields said. Brad and Jones listened attentively.
"A fish? That's not possible. The girl the sample came from has a phobia of the water." Brad said. Jones looked at him, but Shields' shrugged.
"The blood denotes large amounts of oxygen, similar to fish blood. Almost as though she spent a lot of time underwater. But you're right. That's pretty far-fetched.  Hence why I would need more. Or the girl herself. Do you think she'll volunteer?" Shields asked.  Brad knew that Cassi probably wouldn't, but he couldn't flat out say no.
"I don't think so, but I can ask her." Brad said. He knew he wouldn't ask though. Jones was looking at Brad, and could see the range of emotions he tried to hide.
"See what else you can get from the sample, Doctor Shields. Any more information you unearth please email it directly to Doctor Thompson and myself. No one else." Jones said. Shields nodded.
"Yes, Sir." He replied. Jones headed away, Brad following close behind. They entered the lift, Brad pressing for the third floor, Jones for the fifth. When the doors opened on the third floor, Jones held out his hand to prevent the door from closing.
"I want you to keep an eye out for this girl, ask her if she would consider donating blood. If she does say no, then we will need to think of other ways. Just see what we can do." Jones ordered. Brad nodded.
"Yes, Sir." He said, and stepped out of the lift, hearing the doors shut behind him as he headed to his office. He knew though, no matter how much he would have to try, to beg, that Cassi would never donate blood, or even let a needle near her skin. She would never agree to anything. He knew her address though, but he wished to never have to visit it. Not without being officially invited. Brad entered his office, turned off his computer, collected his things, and then left.

I was getting sick of pretending to be sick, as ironic as that sounded. I hated being helped, but it was now only three days until Graduation, and I had received my acceptance letters for college. I decided that I would wait until after Graduation before I decided which I would attend so I wouldn't exactly be lying to Tabitha when she asked if I knew which college I had been accepted into. It felt a little deceitful, but it wold be better for everyone in the long run. I hobbled along, not using my crutches anymore, still bandaging my ankle but no longer with the numerous socks, and slowly made my way to homeroom. A few students offered to help me, but I was never good around boys.
"Three days until Graduation." Our homeroom teacher, Miss. Targett, called to the class to get everyone's attention. It went quiet instantly. "After lunch today all the Year 12's will be assembling in the Auditorium to go over the ceremony details. Cassi?" She asked, looking at me, and I met her gaze.
"Yes, Miss Targett?" I said, trying to stop my pulse from racing. 
"Are you sure you'll be able to get up on the stage to accept your diploma? I mean with your ankle." She said. I almost sagged, but smiled.
"Oh, yes. I am determined to get up there myself." I replied. She smiled in return.
"Excellent. That's what I was hoping to hear. Good for you." She said, and I blushed slightly, eyes lowering to my diary in front of me. I felt a little bad because I wasn't injured at all, but I couldn't tell them that, not after the fall I'd taken. I'd do my best in pretending to hobble up the steps and down again. Tabby looked over at me, and I knew she wished she could be next to me in case I needed assistance, but that pleasure fell to Steve Sheridan. He had already told me that he would help me if I needed it, rather shyly too. I had thanked him, but I doubted I'd need him. I knew what it would mean to everyone if I did it myself.
During lunch I found a secluded spot and ate my lunch in silence. I knew Tabby would be looking for me, but I wanted to be alone. I hoped it would deter her, but I knew her well enough to know it wouldn't. She was like glue at times, but in a good way. It was going to be painful to say goodbye to her.