Stranger Yet

Chapter 9: Did You Hear?

Chapter 9

Ayra was sitting at her desk, trying to convince herself that school was a promising idea, when her mother knocked softly on her door.

"Come in!" she yawned, while staring at herself.

He mother stood in her doorway.

"Hey, sis. I just wanted to let you know, I know it's the first week of school, and that I've already said you don't have to go, and that you've already said you DO have to go, but you really, really do not have to go. You know, if you don't want to." Ayra stared at her mother's reflection for a moment before turning to look at her.

"Mom... I know you're worried. I know, and I get it. And trust me, I'm worried too, I mean... Look at me." Ayra held up her wrists, then turned back to her own mirror for a second. "I look terrible. I do. But I have already missed so much. And I am falling so far behind in the first week, and THAT scares me more then anything. I'm going to graduate this year. And I can't do that if I don't go." She looked her mother in the eye again and tried to smile.

Her mother didn't smile back. She just nodded and said, "I'll drive you today. I'll be downstairs."

Before Ayra could argue, Sarah shut the door and took off down the stairs.

Ayra sighed but decided to let her mother have this win. She then got to work on her face and hair.

By the time she was done, she looked human. She had slipped on a knee length, loosely fitting violet dress, and slipped on a thin black jacket. She let her wild hair hang loose around her face, only taking time to tame her bangs. The jacket covered half of her hands, effectively hiding her wounds. She knew they were going to take their time healing. Needless to say, she understood why the wolf in the basement had been shocked that she would try to shift with the ties on. Ayra was grateful she had listened.

She grabbed her backpack and headed for the door.

Downstairs her mother was in her pj's at the table. She was drinking her coffee but her usual zombie look was replaced with a more red-faced, blotchy look of suffering. It tore Ayra up inside to be the cause of this new appearance.

"I'm ready, ma." She said quietly.

"No, you aren't. Sit. Eat." Sarah nodded towards the plate of French toast and bacon.

Ayra complied.

It was a silent meal. There were no jokes. There was no laughter.

Ayra ate as quickly as she could and bolted for the door. Sarah followed with the car keys in hand.

The drive was just as silent.

When they reached the school, both sat quietly staring straight ahead. Ayra was unwilling to get out without a word but she couldn't think of the right ones. Sarah was ready to burst into tears and was trying desperately to save face for her child, at least a little bit. Finally, Sarah gave in and turned, throwing her arms around her child. She couldn't stop the tears from bursting free.

Ayra hugged her back and they exchanged I love you's. Finally, Ayra felt okay to get out.

It was still uncomfortable knowing that she was the cause of her mother's pain, but she couldn't change it, so she just headed towards the building.

Inside, all eyes were on her. Rumors were already circulating. She expected this. What she just didn't expect was for the rumors to be so widespread. Sure, it was a small school, but usually there were people that just straight up did not care about her existence, or other people's existence, for that matter. This time, things were apparently different.