It was a week after the incident, and that guy at the hospital that was trying to take a picture of me for the media, well he was not the only one. Apparently some other creep had and sent the picture to some news crew and know you could not turn on one TV on earth, and probably planet Drool without seeing me one a stretcher. Me the king of the ocean, savior of Planet Drool was on a stretcher, because I had a little scratch on my arm. This is utterly humiliating. Dad was trying to the media to stop showing the picture saying that I wanted " privacy". Well that had the opposite effect and know those piranha just keeping at it. " Oh look at little Taylor Conner, being daddy's little marine biologist helping that poor dolphin" They would go on and on and on. Honestly don't these people have lives, oh that's right their whole career circles around what I do! The rest of the weekend was cool pretty much just hung around, and relaxed, but first day back at school, I really wish Max would just send me to davy-jones locker, it would have been an improvement. As we were driving up to the school all those brats were jumping up and down trying to get in the shot of the…..camera crew? Ok now I was curious why was a camera crew at the stupid high school. And then it clicked, ok how did these nuts know where I go to school? Now I have to figure out how I'm going to get in school without eaten alive. Apparently dad had the same idea, as he quickly told me.
" Put on your hat and duck down, I'll drive you round back". I quickly put my hat on and as dad drove to the back entrance to the school and I quickly got out of the car parrying to Neptune no one saw me. But to my extreme surprise dad got out of the car to, and followed me to the door. I look at him as if to say " you need something". He looked at me and said
" I need to talk to the principle about getting these nuts" the way he talked, it was almost deathly, sucks to be those guys. Luckily for us there was virtually no one in the building, it seemed the entire student body was outside .Before I knew it dad and I were standing out said the principles office Ms. Stanly was her name, I had seen her before, a kind, but strict woman. I have grown to have some respect for her, and believe me it is hard to get me to respect any one, let alone someone how voluntarily wants to be around these imbeciles all day! As we stepped into her office Ms. Stanly was yelling at someone though the phone.
" No WE DO NOT COMMENT ON OUT STUDENTS, THAT IS STUDENT TEACHER CONFIDENTIALY BY LAW! AND IF I HEAR THAT YOU HAVE CALLED THIS SCHOOL AGAIN I WILL CALL THE POLICE". And with that she hung up the phone. Looked up to see us and made a waving gesture indicating that she wanted up to set in in the two chairs front of her desk.
" I assume that you came here to talk about the commotion with the media". Ms. Stanly said with a calm voice.
" Yes we have". Dad responded. " I don't know how they found out where Taylor goes to school, but I don't like it, school should be a place he can learn, and have a good time with friends, not dogging paparazzi, plus the stress would not benefit his health".
" Dad I'm fine". I said in a comforting voice, for the whole weekend he would barley let me get out of bed, I had to remind him several times that it was arm that was injured, not my legs. Dad opened his mouth to say something but Ms. Stanly beat him to it.
" About your health Taylor, is there anything that we should know about, and medication that you would need to take"?
" Oh ya". I said rummaging through my bag for the little bottle of pain killers " I'm supposed to take one of these every six hours". I put the bottle on the Principles desk in front of me. Ms. Stanly nodded her head toke out a piece of paper and wrote something on it, turning back to me said
" When we are finished talking, go to the nurse's office with this to her so she can keep the medication on file."
" What do you mean the nurse has to keep the medication on file". I asked in a curious told.
" By law the nurse has to hold all the students medication in case a student might abuse it". Ok that is just stupid what if a kid had an asthma attack by the time someone got the nurse with the medication the kid would dead by then. But then again I hate taking those med's and if they were in the nurses office the more excuses I have not take them, so I just nodded my head keeping my plan to myself. Dad and Ms. Stanly kept talking about precautionary measures, honestly the way they were talking, you would think I was hit by a semi! Finally they stopped talking and Ms. Stanly turned to look at me with an amount of sternness, mix with what seemed to be sympathy.
" There are going to be a lot of students out there, that are going to ask you a lot of questions that you don't have to answer, just tell them you don't want to talk, and walk away, if they keep bugging you could talk to one of the faculty and we will deal with it".
" Alright". I said I had already formulated a plan to get these pests off my back, if they annoy me to much just turn them into my personal sushi bar! It is a very effective plan. Finally the meeting was over dad and I shook hands with Ms. Stanly and dad and I walked out of her office, into the hallway.
" Look Taylor I know you like to take care of yourself but if ever feel overwhelmed then call me, and I'll come and get you, I'm serious don't even second guess just call, any stress is not good in your condition". Dad said with a serious, and worried expression.
" I feel fine, I'll by fine I'm a shark I am the thing, everything in the ocean fears". That made dad snicker, he leaned forward to rap his arms around me in a hug, being extra careful not to squeeze my arm. He gently kissed by forehead, and to down at me and said
" I'll call you at lunch and check in". With one last reluctant squeeze he let me go, and walked around to the back exit, to leave, as I walked to first period to start my day of hell. As I was walked into class everyone gawked and whispered, I toke extra care to tuck my injured arm under my seat, and avoided talking at all costs, and I was doing pretty good job unit lunch. As I was walking to the cafeteria I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to set at my usual back lunch table without some moron come up, and try to talk to me. So I choose to weave through the hallways and found a nice quiet, semi private place, in the back section of the school at the bottom of a staircase. I had seen few other students eating there lunch around the same area, saying they needed some quiet to get some homework done, they had the right idea, as I sat and ate my fish-balls or sushi I started to wonder why I had not done this in the first place? As he had said dad called and asked if I was ok, if I need him to come and take me home, and if I had taken the pain medication. Ok I lied about the taking the pain medication honestly it just made me so tired and, the my arm didn't even hurt what's the point of taking pain med's when there is not pain?
I had just hung up with him when my worst nightmare appeared. I looked up from my fish balls to find the jock squad was in front of me with a small kid standing next to them with a paper and pad, and a badge that said " Press". Oh crap, I should have just told dad to pick me up.
" What are you doing in a corner, when you should be celebrating"? Said David Patterson the idiot jock who through a shoe at me the first day of school, I thought I got rid of his guy, oh well he was enough meat on him to make a healthy sized meal. I quickly got up and drew myself to full height, so I was only a couple centimeters shorter than him, but from the look in his eyes I obviously scared the living out of him. Good he should be scared.
" Oh and what should I be celebrating"? I inquired.
" Your heroic deeds dude, diving in the ocean to save a dolphin that's pretty tight". David with genuine care. I was shocked to say the least, but kept my cool.
" There's nothing to celebrate about a dolphin almost getting killed by a stupid net". I said through clenched teeth.
" Ya what happen to that dolphin sucks, but you can't say that net didn't do a number on you". David replied pointed to my bandaged covered arm.
" I did what I had to do". Was my only answer.
" Well the whole school wants to know what you had to the do, the whole world does" David said making a large gesture of the world with his arms, " So who bout giving the school newspaper and exclusive interview".
All his jock squad whooped and hollered. This people are amazing truly amazing, it would have to take an amazingly thick person to turn a dolphin getting slowly cut to death, and kid getting injured trying to save it, in to more publicity for that person. David Patterson the jock who got the dolphin hero to give the school an exclusive interview, oh wow he must the greatest guy, like a real superman. Oh please and the worst part was all these morons bought it, the believed every word that came out of this guy's mouth like he was a prophet, honestly it makes me want to puck, for better yet, punch him in the stomach so many times David would. As I was about to make my attack, when two strangers came and gapped me by the arms pulling me away yelling something like
" Sorry Mr. Conner is a very busy man and has other affairs to attend to". These to strangers quickly pulled my into a empty class room, the marine biology room and started to fanatically speak to me.
" Hey you ok", " What Patterson did was low, but everyone around here thinks he's god", " Is there any way we can help you"? This was when I really looked at my rescuers for the first time, one was a small African American girl, couldn't be more that 5 foot, but the way she held herself in such a confident way it made you think she was in charge. The other was a guy about my height a little taller fair skin, bleach blond hair with kind and understanding eyes. They must have seen the look of shocked on my face, and the small girl quickly apologized saying
" Oh wow sorry just pull you in here without telling you who we are I'm Miranda and this is Nico". She said with a smile.
" I'm Taylor". I said kind of shyly.
" Ya we figured". Miranda said and came forward to give me a hug, she did it so quickly I barely had time to react. She quickly let me go, again seeing my shocked face giggled a little and said
" It looked like you needed a hug". Ok that was the first time anyone had ever said that to me.
" Ah thanks". Nico just laughed and wrapped an arm around Miranda's waist and a kiss on her cheek and said
" Your get used to it". Oh they were a couple. I smiled shyly and them thinking of lava girl I really did miss her.
" Aww what's her name". Nico said shocking me.
" Is it what obvious'? I asked
" YA" Nico and Miranda said in unison. All of us giggling a bit. Wow who would have ever thought I would have talking to these people and actually starting to like them, ok his is getting weird.
" But serious". Miranda said her whole demeanor changing form sweet, to intimidating in a second. " Nico's right what Patterson did was low, he should have never cornered you like that, and with everyone watching, the guy is just a coward can't have a normal conversation with a person without three over people around him. If it happens again just tell him to bug off! He will act like the spoiled pouty child he is for a couple of days, but he'll get the picture and leave you alone, but really, is there something that we can do for you".
Wow this girl was good at talking and sound like she was ready to go down there a give Patterson and piece of her mind, she reminded me of a mother alligator you mess with her kids, you won't live to say to see very long. Nico's said the same thing, I appreciated what these guys were doing, and was about to open my mouth with I heard.
" Well it seems Mr. Patterson and the I are going to have a long talk". I turned around to see Ms. Lewis with her hands on her hips looking very irritated, ok how did I not hear her? How did she even get in, wait this is the marine biology room she was probably in here the whole time eating her lunch! My senses have really gone down with being human!
" It's ok Ms. Lewis really". I tried to reason, I really did not want to snitch on the oh so perfect David Patterson, if I did everyone would be pissed at me, causing my more publicity, which I never wanted.
" No it's not". Miranda said sternly. " What Patterson did was wrong, and he will think he can get away with it, if he does not get caught". She said passionately.
" Ya man you got to stick up for yourself, even if you sound like a snitch". Nico added.
" Fine" I agreed it could not hurt to try, I really wanted that dolt off my back.
" About that favor". I looked to Miranda, and Nico. " Could guys slip my out back, so my dad can take me home"?
" Are you feeling ok"? Asked Ms. Lewis
" Ya just a little stressed". " My dad said no stress, because my condition". I just that last remark to butter her up, so that she would not tell me to stay and face my problems blah, blah.
Ms. Lewis quickly agreed, and told me call my father, and while Miranda, and Nico came up with an escape route through the building. I quickly dialed dads number, and he picked up on the first ring.
" Sharkboy what's wrong, did something happed"? He said with concern.
" It's kind of a long story, but I need you to come and pick me up". Saying with as much calm as possible.
" Your stressed". That's all he said.
" Ya I am". I replied in a simple manner.
" I getting in the car right now, go through the back I'll meet you there, and take big deep breaths try to stay calm".
" Ok I will". I hung up the phone and Nico tossed me my hoody saying to put it one and duck down. He and Miranda quickly maneuvered through the school with caution, dogging every person they saw in a ten foot radius. Finally we got to the back entrance to the school, to find Dad was already there! He must have driven like a maniac to get here with in three minutes, but I was happy I did not have to wait to go home. Dad quickly saw me and walked or ran towards me looking me over, and taking my arm gently making sure I was not injured. Once he was satisfied he looked back at Miranda, and Nico and said
" Thank you for your help".
" Don't mention it". They said and Miranda continued to say " See you soon". I smiled back and thought maybe I would. I quickly climbed into the car and dad did to, and started to drive. Once we reached home he told me to put my bag in my room and come into the living room, I did as he asked and came down to the living room, to see dad with a concerned look on his face and thermometer in hand.
" Come here Sharkboy" dad said I walked over to him wondering what was going on, when he stuck the thermometer in my mouth! About to spit it out in shock dad instantly had his hand on the thermometer keeping it in place, and said
" Do not talk, or bite down on it, I need a clear reading". Finally the thing beeped and dad looked at it in august quickly said "go upstairs and lie down".
I opened my mouth to protest but was stopped when dad showed me the thermometer according to that thing my temperature was 102.02 ok this thing is broken. I feeling perfectly fine! If I was even close to that temperature I would be throwing up, and having a supersized head ache. I tried to speak but all I got was a shake of the head, and dad pointing to my room. Oh well at least I can hang out in there until this whole thing blows over. I went up to my room, lie down on my bed, and picked up a book and started to read. As I was reading I heard the facet being turned on, I figured dad just wanted to take a shower, so I was stunned when he came into to my room, and said.
" Come on you need an ice bath"
" I NEED A WHAT!" My hearing must be going because I could have sworn I heard my father say I needed and ice bath!
" This is not up for discussion, you got stressed out so your temperature rose, and know you need and ice bath to bring it down."
" You don't understand, this guy.." I never got to finish my sentence for dad lifted up his hand and palm facing me in signal that told me to shut it.
" You can tell me what happened later. But first you need an ice bath, for your own health".
" Dad I truly feel fine, maybe the thermometer is broken, if my temperature was that high I would feel sick, and I don't I don't need this".
" YES YOU DO". Dad Thundered " YOU CAN GET INTO THE BATH ON YOUR OWN OR I CAN CARRY YOU, EITHER WAY YOU ARE GETTING IN"!
I swiftly walked to the bathroom knowing dad was not kidding, and found that the bath tub was filled with water with large cubes of ice bobbing around in it. I undressed and got in the tub, it was freaking freezing I have been in Article Circle water, but this is just ridicules. I sat in the freezing water for about five minutes before I couldn't stand it any longer was about to get out of the tub, when dad knocked on the door and said.
" Make sure to duck your head in the water". Ok was guy standing outside the door I would not put it against him to! I quickly ducked my head in the ice water resurfaced, and got out of the tub re-dressing, and droning the water out of the tub. I walked out the door to see that dad was indeed standing outside the door, with a thermometer in hand quickly plopped it in my mouth and, knowing what to expect I kept it in my mouth, and waited for the beep. When it beeped he toke it out of my mouth and breathed a sigh of relief I did not know why until I looked over his shoulder to see that now the thermometer read 99.8.
" Much better". He said, and proceed to lead to me to the living room gently push me on to the couch, and went to get the remote to turn on the TV he sat back down with me, and we started to watch some random comedy it was not half bad. As we were watching TV I started to become aware of how tried I was and, before I knew what was going to my eyes started to drop and, my head fell on to dad's shoulder, I started to try to get up when dad said.
" It ok Sharkboy just take a nap here". Not needing any more encouragement I let my head fall back on his shoulder and feel asleep in my dreams devising the perfect plan to tell him of my true shark nature.