Her Mysterious Ways

Chapter 14: But in a good way

"Okay, so what condition is she in?" I asked Mrs. Naomi. She was sitting in the chair beside Andy while I stood there waiting for an answer. Andy was sleeping soundly from all the meds that they gave her.

"She'll be released tomorrow. Then she has to go to a therapist twice a week until they feel that she is mentally stable enough to not go anymore." She looked over Andy's body. It was so peaceful, so sound, so... not her.

"Okay. So she won't be coming to school for awhile then."

"Well, she should be back no later than next week on Monday. Maybe earlier. We will just go with the flow." She nodded without looking at me. I almost wanted to laugh when she said 'go wit the flow' because it was so ironic since Andy did anything but go with the flow.

"Okay. Well, if you need anything, just call me. Andy has my number if you need to get ahold of me. Could I maybe stop by tomorrow after school, or should I ask her parents about that?" I looked over at Andy one more time and then looked at Mrs. Naomi, afraid that if I looked at her any longer I wouldn't be able to leave her.

"I think it's best if you don't." She gave a sincere smile, but she wanted me gone for some reason.

"Okay, well I should go. Goodbye." We bid our goodbyes and I left, walking into the cold air. I had to stop and just process everything that happened. It was mind bending actually.

Then I saw a guy smoking. He was about my age but not even close to my size. At about 5"4 he seemed to have a kind of innocence to him for some reason even though the blazing cigarette that he held suggested otherwise. His pale skin had a tinge of blue from the cold and the hair that covered his head consisted of vibrant hues of green, purple, green, and a base color of black. It wasn't faded or ugly though. His hair looked quite good, like it suited him. I had to find out who this kid was.

"Hello." I stopped in front of him and looked at the cigarette that he was holding.

"Umm...hello." He looked at me nervously, almost dropping the little fire that he held in his now shaky hand.

"How are you?" I decided to start with easy questions first.

"Okay I guess." He stumbled over his words.

"What brings you here today?" I smiled and shoved my hands in my pockets.

"Why are you talking to me? You never talk to me." His grey eyes were wide and his lit cigarette was almost burnt out.

"Huh? What do you mean I never talk to you? I've never seen you in my life." I was taken aback by this. Who did this kid think he was?

"Umm...we go to the same school. You're Mr. Popular and I'm part of the freak group. Also, I'm a year younger than you, so we never talk." His voice wavered less and less as he talked to me.

"Oh, sorry. I don't really pay attention to other people. I'm trying to change that though. What's your name?" I held out my hand for a handshake and hoped that it wouldn't be too awkward for the kid.

"Callum. He cautiously shook my hand. By this time his cigarette had burned to a stub, so he threw it in the garbage can that was right behind him.

"I'm Cole. Nice to meet you." I smiled and tried not to gag from the stench of cigarette smoke.

"Yeah. You too." He wouldn't look at me, which I thought was weird, but brushed it off considering that my whole life was weird.

"So what in the world brings you here?" I asked, trying desperately to make small talk.

"My friend. She got attacked by a dog at a party last night, but she was totally wasted so they're making her stay overnight for two nights." He looked back at the door and then at me, his grey eyes looking lonely.