Chapter 7
Carisi and Clark sat on the couch at Clark's house.
"I can't believe how easy he caved when he took the plea bargain," Clark said.
"I know," Carisi said.
"Thank you for staying here tonight," Clark said.
"Don't mention it," Carisi said. "Thanks for these really comfortable pajamas."
"So Wilson informed me that you will be flown back to New York tomorrow afternoon," Clark said.
"And when does Shayna come home?" Carisi asked.
"Tomorrow morning," Clark replied.
"Can you tell me how you met?" Carisi asked.
"It was 2012," Clark said.
2012
Clark stood at his locker watching the new girl struggling to open her locker. He nervously fidgeted his hands, took a deep breath, and walked across the hallway to her.
"Hello," Clark said nervously. "Are you okay?"
"My locker won't open," the girl replied.
"Here," Clark said.
Clark hit the girl's locker and it opened.
"Wow," the girl said.
"The school will blow funds on a new gym, but they won't replace these old lockers," Clark said.
"Thank you so much," the girl said. "I'm Shayna."
"I'm Max," Clark said.
"Thank you, Max," Shayna said.
"I don't think I've ever seen you here," Clark said.
"I'm from San Francisco," Shayna said. "We had to move here for my dad's work."
Later in the cafeteria, Clark sat at the lunch table by himself, as usual. As he ate lunch, he could here other students making fun of him as usual. By now, he learned to tone it out.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Clark looked up to see Shayna standing there with her tray.
"You can sit here if you want," Clark said.
Shayna sat down across from Clark.
"So, Max," Shayna said. "Do you always sit by yourself?"
"I'm not exactly popular," Clark replied.
"Why is everyone so mean to you?" Shayna asked.
"I have autism," Clark replied.
"You do?" Shayna asked.
"Yes," Clark replied. "To them, I'm a freak."
"Well, I don't think you're a freak," Shayna said. "Autistic or not, I still think you're a cool guy."
"You're just saying that," Clark said.
"I mean it," Shayna said. "You're literally the only other student who has talked to me since I started going here."
"Look!" a male student shouted. "The new girl is sitting with the freak!"
"He's not a freak!" Shayna shouted. "He is a sweet guy and very hot!"
Shayna leaned over and kissed Clark on the lips.
THE PRESENT
"So you got your first kiss on the day you met," Carisi said.
"Yes," Clark said.
"Even I've never been that lucky," Carisi said.
The doorbell rang and Clark looked at Carisi.
"I wasn't expecting anyone," Clark said.
Carisi and Clark got up and walked to the front door. Clark then opened the door to see Wilson.
"Hello, Lieutenant," Clark said.
"Clark," Wilson said. "I need to talk to you."
"Oh no," Clark said. "Is it Shayna?"
Clark began rapidly breathing.
"Calm down," Wilson said. "It's not about Shayna."
"Okay," Clark said.
"I'll go upstairs," Carisi said.
Carisi walked upstairs while Clark and Wilson walked into the living room.
"Have a seat," Clark said.
Clark and Wilson sat on Clark's couch.
"What's up?" Clark asked.
"I'm just going to come out and say this," Wilson said. "I'm resigning as Lieutenant."
"What?" Clark asked shocked.
"I've been offered a position in Quantico," Wilson replied.
Wilson noticed the sad look on Clark's face.
"Cheer up," Wilson said.
"I'm really going to miss you," Clark said.
"As annoying as you are, I'm really going to miss you too," Wilson said.
Clark hugged Wilson tightly. Wilson sighed and hugged back.
"So who's going to be the new lieutenant?" Clark asked.
"Well," Wilson said. "You have to be sergeant for the next few years, but believe me, you'll eventually get the promotion. Until then, I do not know who my replacement is."
"Good luck at your new job," Clark said.
Wilson smiled and patted Clark on the shoulder.
