the reason | 13rw

f i f t y - f i v e

on monday, after i'd talked to mr. porter about my schedule, i went to my first class. there were still about fifteen minutes until school started. when i walked in though, i saw a few kids i didn't recognize and two that i did. 

"nicolette," jeff's eyes went wide. 

i saw zach look over his shoulder at me. "oh my god," he said. 

"i'm back," i smiled. 

jeff hugged me tight as i laughed lightly. 

"i'm more fragile then before," i said. 

"sorry," he pulled back. "i just didn't know you would actually be coming back." 

"trust me, my mom tried to talk me into online schooling again, but i didn't want to." i said and looked to zach. 

"hey little one," he smiled and hugged me softly. 

"it's so weird to hear people call me that." i pulled away. "i've just been james all summer, and nicolette when my parents came to visit." 

"elliot didn't ever visit?" jeff asked. 

"he wasn't allowed, they thought it might mess with my treatment." 

"well i'm sure he would have visited everyday." 

"he tried up until he left for texas." i said with a smiled. 

"come sit," jeff directed me to the corner desk. 

"how did you guys spend the summer?" 

"baseball practice mostly and parties." zach nodded. 

"sounds amazing." i smiled. 

i heard something drop and we all looked over, seeing jessica stood with her mouth wide open. 

"am i fucking dreaming?" she asked. 

"no," i shook my head as i laughed. 

she ran over as i stood and swallowed me in a hug. 

"oh my god, i didn't even know you were back." she said. 

"i missed you too jess." i smiled. 

....

none of my other friends happened to be in my first class, but when i entered my second class i saw scott, hannah, clay and alex.

"no fucking way." hannah smiled and jumped up. she ran over and hugged me. i laughed as i hugged her back. 

"hey," i said. 

"hey?" she asked as she pulled away. "why didn't you text me the second you got back?" 

"i was trying to adjust to my house again." i said. "i'm sorry." 

"i can't even be mad at you. i missed you too much." she hugged me again. 

"hey, i'd like one too." clay said which caused to pull apart. 

"hey kid," i said and hugged him too. 

"i missed you." 

"i missed you too," i nodded as we pulled away. 

"come and sit." hannah said and pulled me over to her chair. she sat me behind her, in front of alex and beside scott.

"hey guys," i smiled. 

....

by lunch time, i'd seen most of everyone, except for monty and piper. i wanted to see piper but wasn't too upset about not seeing monty. it broke my heart that he'd moved on so quickly, it wasn't my choice to go away.