Invisible

Chapter Three

Matt and I walked hand in hand to the nurses office. I wanted to go to class but nooo! I had to go to the nurse…

“She’s very weak, and probably dehydrated.” Matt explained to the elderly nurse. “She hasn’t had anything to eat since…” he looked over at me for the answer.

“Yesterday at lunch…” I said weakly.

“My dear!! Why haven’t you eaten?!” Nurse Astrid squeaked, waving her fat little hands around.

“Well last night I had cheerleading practice and I got home really late… And this morning was kind of hectic…” I muttered, looking down. “I was going to go to breakfast after I dropped my stuff off in homeroom but…”

“Some… Stuff happened, and she didn’t get to do much.” Matt said, carefully so he didn’t reveal too much information. As far as I knew, none of the teachers were really worried about what happened this morning…

“Well, I think you should go home and get plenty of rest and fluids.” The old lady said in a very serious, professional tone.

“Can Matt take me home?” I asked hopefully, looking back up at her. I’m just glad this isn’t the nurse from hell. The mean, sharp nosed, obnoxious one that talks about her dogs diet and bowel movements over the phone and will only let you go home if you’re bleeding profusely or running a temperature of a hundred and four.

No, this is the sweet, grandmotherly nurse who tells you stories from the 1950’s as she gets you ibuprofen for your migraine. She always sends us out with a Dum-Dum pop and a smile.

“I guess… As long as you both bring in a parent note tomorrow.” Astrid said, pulling me from my nurse infested thoughts.

“Oh my gosh, thank you!!” I squee-d, nearly jumping up to give her a hug. But I stopped myself. Sudden movements are not a good idea when you’ve been crying all day and you’re dehydrated …

She pulled a little pad of paper and an ink pen from her pocket and started to write a note. After a little while she handed it to Matt.

“Here, give this to Miss Chaldeana and she’ll let you go home. Cherry, right, Lily?” She was walking over to the big jar of suckers she keeps on the counter.

“You remember.” I smiled.

“Of course I do, you’re in here nearly every other day!!” Astrid laughed. It’s true… I come in here whenever I fall and hurt myself, which is a lot. I may be head cheerleader, but without my uniform on, I’m as clumsy as an ox. It’s a pretty magical uniform!

“What about you, Matt?” Astrid asked, one hand still poised above the jar.

“Oh no, I’m fine.” Matt said, holding up his hands and backing away.

“Matt. I’m very strict about my Dum-Dums. Every student who comes in here gets a sucker, even if they’re just telling me that another student is on their way.” The words came out in a rush, her eyes narrowing and her voice becoming stern. “Now, what flavor?!”

“Uhh… Watermelon?” Matt looked a bit scared. Nurse Astrid is no a force to be reckoned with. I had to hold back a laugh.

“Here you go!!” She said, her smile quickly coming back. She handed us our suckers and gently pushed us towards the door.

“Thank you” I said quietly, reaching down to take Matt’s hand. His fingers intertwined with mine and he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, a squeeze that said, ‘everything is going to be okay’.

“Dear Lily, it’s my job to help students.” Said Astrid, smiling.

We walked over to Miss Chaldeana’s desk in the middle of the lobby and handed her the note. She studied it for a bit before looking up at us.

“You’re taking her home, Mr. Jones?” She asked, her short, blonde, pixie-cut hair bobbed back and forth with each movement. She couldn’t have been over twenty-five. Her bright blue eyes peered at us over her green cat eye glasses, which were perched on the tip of her nose. Honestly, I don’t see why she even bothers to wear them. She keeps them on the very edge of her nose, almost on her lip!! Gah.

“Yes ma’am, I am.” Matt said, being a perfect gentleman. Awwhie.

“And you’ll not be coming back today?” Jeez lady, just let us go home already. I need to get home and get out of these stupid, uncomfortable skinny jeans my mom forced me into and some fluffy pajama pants.

“No ma’am, we will not be returning until tomorrow. That is, if Lily is feeling any better.” Mad said, very politely. I don’t see how he’s being so nice to her!! I want to rip her throat out for delaying my fluffy pajama time.

“Okay… You kids take care.” And just like that, she went back to typing without another word.

“Thank you ma’am.” Matt said as he led us out the door.

“Will you be okay to stay here for a minute while I go get the car?” Matt asked, looking at me warily. “It’s a long way back and you shouldn’t be walking too much.”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” He was still looking at me like I was about to explode or something. “Matt, I’m fine. Go.”

I walked over to a bench and sat down, watching Matt walk away. I put my head in my hands and sighed. It’s been a very long day already.

“Hey Lils!” I suddenly heard a cruel, drawling, high-pitched female voice. “How ya doin? Did you have fun hiding from the rest of the world? Where did you go? I missed you…” I could hear the fake sadness in her voice.

“Go away Kaylee.” I said weakly, not wanting to start anything.

“Where are you going now?” She asked, completely ignoring me. “Running home to Mommy?”

“Go away, Kaylee.” I repeated, with a little more force. I hadn’t even looked up, but I knew she was smirking.

“Or maybe…” Kaylee paused, as if she was thinking. “Maybe she’s going to kill herself, what do you think, guys??”

She must have brought friends with her, because there was scattered laughter.

“Why so quiet Lils? We’re concerned for you… You’re being very rude…” The fake sadness wormed its way into her voice again.

Just then, Matt pulled up in his dark blue car. He jumped out, not even bothering to shut the engine off. His face was livid. I was actually kind of scared…

“Kaylee, I swear to God if you don’t leave her alone…” He trailed off, leaving her imagination to fill in the blanks. She looked a little scared, but hid it well.

“Matt, leave it.” I said quietly, grabbing his arm. “I’m fine, lets go.” After that I literally had to drag him over to the car, leaving Kaylee smirking and waving sarcastically.

“We’ll miss you Lily!” One of her friends called after us. I turned around. A boy with long blonde hair was actually rolling around on the ground laughing. Pothead… A short, fat girl was smirking, so I assume she’s the one who said it…

“Just ignore them.” I muttered to Matt, who showed every sign of turning around and yelling at them.

“What happened Matt? Didn’t you get the text I sent out?” Kaylee asked smugly, causing us to both turn around.

“So it was you…” I hissed, unable to move anything but my mouth at this point.

“Oh, did I say that?” She faked innocence. “Whoopsies! But guess what? You can’t do anything about it. As I’m sure you know, my dear Uncle Jason is the principal, and thanks to him, I’m practically INVINCIBLE at this school!! I haven’t been in detention once since fifth grade!”

“Why… Why are you doing this to me?!” I stuttered, my voice going about three octaves higher than usual.

“That’s for me to know…” Kaylee trailed off, looking around at her friends.

“And for you to NEVER find out!!” They chorused, laughing their butts off.

Matt grabbed my arm and led me to his car. I don’t think I could’ve made it myself. I was frozen with shock and anger.