Returns

Chapter 2: Impact

 "Man, lets just skip. We don't have to go today." Ryn suggested seriously.

"We can't skip the first day of school." JJ finally said, her voice shaking ever so slightly, "Besides, who cares if he's back. It's not like I've never done this before."

And with that, she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car. Ryn quickly followed suit, but when she got around to closing her car door, she found that her friend had vanished. She looked around the parking lot to make sure there weren't any loose blonds running around, and then ever so slowly she walked around the car. JJ was crouched next to the passenger door breathing deeply with her eyes closed. Ryn knelt down next to her best friend and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You're a strong ass bitch, J." Was all she said.

She then stood, leaning against her car patiently, allowing her friend to collect herself. The sun felt good on her skin as she lounged. She watched people arrive in the parking lot, giving some a quick head nod, and picking out who she guessed were the freshman. Finally, something between a sigh and a growl sounded off at her side, and JJ was headed toward Riverstone High.

"Guess we're going then." Ryn smirked, following her friend.

The two approached the huge brick monstrosity that was their school, and were not pleased to find that a crowd still flooded the entrance. JJ made a point to avoid looking at the person in the center of the masses, however she kept her pace normal and steady. She was not running from anything. She made it about halfway past the large group of her peers before she felt a tingling run down her spine. Eyes were burning into her, she could feel it. She was weaker than she anticipated, for it only took a few seconds of being engulfed in the familiar heat before her eyes slid to the side of their own will. In that moment she learned what time felt like to the universe. An eon condensed into the snap of a second. Everything slowed and sped up all at once as she gazed into the familiar brown irises that filled her fondest memories and haunted her worst nightmares. Before she could take in anything more than those sharp wooden eyes, she snapped her head forward and continued steadily into the school.

*Ten Years Ago*

"Mommy, I don't want to go." A seven-year-old JJ said quietly from the back of her mother's car.

"I know sweetie, but it will only be for an hour and a half. Plus it will be good to meet other children...like you."

"There's nothing wrong with me mommy."

"Yes I know, that's not what I meant. I just think it will be good for you to be around other kids who are in your same situation." JJ's confused expression broke her mother's heart.

The two pulled up to a drab brown building. One that looked like a government building from the seventies. It didn't help that the day was overcast, and just all over dreary. Holding hands they entered, and were surprised to find that the inside was actually quite vibrant. The walls were a nice muted yellow, and there were drawings plastered all over the walls. JJ's mother signed in at the front desk, and they were escorted into a small classroom with several children. A very cheery, plump woman instantly came to greet them. She was wearing a red flowered dress and black framed glasses.

"Hello there, you must be JJ Connell." She smiled brightly, "I'm Mrs. Shue, welcome to my room!"

"Hello." JJ said quietly, holding tighter to her mother's hand.

As Mrs. Shue and her mother conversed, she took a moment to observe the room. It looked a lot like her classroom at school, small tables and chairs scattered about, and a large calendar taped to the whiteboard at the front. There was even a nice shelf of books on the wall to her right. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.