Teachers Pet

37: Don't Be Stupid

        Hospital chairs were so uncomfortable. I kept fidgeting in my seat. We were all just waiting for the doctor or the police to come back and tell us we could see Blair. We were updated that she was awake and doing just fine, but I had to see her. How long did taking a statement take? It felt like hours. My mom was waiting with me for a bit before she heard my stomach growl. I couldn't possibly eat and she should know that. It didn't matter though. She left to go downstairs to the cafeteria. I think she just wanted a minute alone to process everything. Sarah was a close friend of my moms. Blair and her mother were family the minute we met them.

       Nolan's dad was here too, but he went outside for a smoke. Now it was just me and the brothers. Their dad didn't seem to want to be here. He kept looking at his phone and avoiding the subject of Blair and her mother altogether. He hardly looked at Nolan. Most of his attention was directed towards Mr. Pierce who seemed to pretend the man wasn't even there. There was definitely some bad blood there.

       "Jill." I jumped out of my seat and ran to my sister. She hugged me tightly as I cried into her shoulder. They were a mixture of joy and guilt. Mr. Pierce had said that I had let this happen and I couldn't shake that thought. If I kept telling myself that Marcus was going to prison, then this all didn't feel as terrible as it really was. "What happened? I couldn't really hear mom over the phone." Tanya pulled away as she wiped away my tears with her sleeve. I let her guide me to a nearby seat.

       "Blair and her mother... It's bad. Nolan- "

       "Nolan?" She looked around until she spotted him. When she did, her eyes narrowed into slits. I knew she hated him, but I never understood why. Tanya never wanted to talk about her exes, but Nolan was one ex I was never allowed to bring up. I wanted to tell Blair that my sister dated Nolan a year ago, but I didn't want to start anything. I think Tanya preferred Blair not to know.

       "Yeah, he saved them." I smiled the best I could considering the circumstances. Tanya looked back to me with disbelief.

       "Saved?" She looked back to Nolan who was talking to Jake. Whatever they were talking about, it looked intense. Nolan's hands were moving the same way they did when he was talking to the cops. I think he was retelling what happened to his brother now. Everyone at school would wanna hear this story too. Nolan would be glorified for this good deed. Rightfully so too.

       "Marcus, their landlord... He was beating Blair's mom. Earlier today, Blair ditched school and went home and Nolan followed her. He wanted to make sure she was okay. He showed up just in time. He really is a hero." I was happy to praise Nolan for saving my best friend. I would remind Blair everyday how lucky she was to have him. If I had someone like Nolan, I think I'd be devoted to them forever.

       To think though, after twelve long years, this was all finally over. Marcus would get what he deserved and he'd be locked away forever. He'd never be able to hurt them again. What kind of life would they live now? And their house. What would happen to their house? Would the bank foreclose it? I know my mom would take them both in. She'd do it in a heartbeat. We'd all help them get back on their feet.

       It would be just like old times when Blair would spend the night. She would sleep near the window where she felt safe and I would sleep on the other side. When I would have nightmares, Blair was always there to wake me up. If she wasn't then she was just a phone call away. She'd sing this little french melody that her dad had sung to her when she was little. If he hadn't walked out on them... None of this would have happened in the first place. How do you just walk out on your family like that? How do you leave behind a child? At least when my dad left, he had the decency to tell us. We've been better off since.