CPR

Prologue

Jason's POV

14 years ago- preschool

I didn't want my mama or papa to leave me here alone, but they did and I had to be a good boy for them. They promised me a present if they found out I behaved during preschool. I was hoping it wasn't a beating. They were normally the presents I got when I wasn't a good boy.

At that moment, I was sitting in the corner with a book. It was blue with an elephant on it. The book was giving really cool facts about them. Like how the leader of the herd was a girl and how the entire herd depended on her to guide them to water and such. I was happy I could read, but I was also crying.

I was crying because no one wanted to be friends with me, but I had my papa's happiness that I could read.

My papa was proud that I could read. He was the only one who cared. He told me he was proud that I was brave enough to face monsters like school.

I didn't believe him because everyone was being mean to me. They made fun of me for being able to read harder-to-understand books. The teacher lady just snickered along with them.

As I closed the book, the door to the classroom opened. Another teacher lady walked in, but with a girl by her side. The teacher lady walked up to my teacher lady and started talking. While the new one wasn't paying attention, the girl wandered off.

She came towards me and smiled. Her teeth were really pretty and shiny. I smiled back, but shyly. I looked down at the book when I became too shy.

"You have nice hair." A voice like bells sounded.

I looked back up at the girl. She was looking at me weirdly.

"T-thank you," I stuttered. She was really pretty.

"I'm Poppy. I'm going to be a doctor one day. What's your name?" She asked with a beaming smile. Poppy sat down in front of me.

"J-Jason. I want to be a p-police officer. Like my papa." I looked down quickly, feeling fear creep in. I feared Poppy was going to be mean to me like the others when I mentioned I wanted to be like my papa.

"That's awesome! You are going to be a hero one day!" Poppy suddenly gasped loudly, which grabbed the attention of the teacher ladies. "You can read!!! I'm so jelly. Wait no, that's not the right word."

As Poppy trailed off, the teacher ladies approached us. The one who brought in Poppy knelt down beside us, with concern.

"What happened? Why did you gasp Poppy?"

"Mommy he can read! I'm jelly because he can read!" Poppy exclaimed happily.

A smile took over my face as I quickly realized that Poppy was happy. But I cowered as I realize she was Poppy's mom. My mama didn't like me. She beat me when Papa wasn't home.

"Jealous, Poppy. The word you're looking for is jealous," she turned to me," hi, there. I'm Katie, Poppy's mom. What's your name?"

"J-J-Jason."

"Katie, why are you talking to him? He's a little freak! He can read and wants to be a cop!" My teacher lady exclaims.

My eyes start to water with a round of new tears. Just as a sob is about to escape, Poppy gasps even louder than last time.

"How dare you say such a mean thing to my friend! If anyone is a freak, it's you! You're an old butt-pickle!!" Poppy shouts.

As Poppy shouts at my teacher lady, her mom reaches for me. I cower away from her again, which makes her pause. She slowly smiled again, gentleness and a new sense of understanding reaching her eyes. She just holds her hands out in front of her. "I won't hurt you, Jason. I promise. I'll handle Mrs. Johnson."