Chapter Seven - A Problem Has Arisen

"That call last night was so weird"

"Yeah, I agree. I mean, who'd of thought that a whole family would do something as stupid as that?" Val and Tyler were talking about the call that had made them leave Jamie while they were walking to class.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt the over-achievers cosy little chat, but uh, has anyone seen Jamie around? I said I'd help him with doors and things last night."
"So he found you then?" Tyler was less than nice to Caitie, and while it was a polite comment, the tone in his voice told her that he didn't want her around.
"Isn't that your Prince Charming coming down the hallway now?"
"Val!!" There was a whine in her voice, something which she had never heard before.
"Just kidding Caitie. But I think he needs a hand getting through the crowd." She watched as Caitie went running down the corridor to help him. That was most unlike her, to run anywhere.
"I think there's something going on between them."
"You think? Isn't it obvious Tyler ? Their dating, just like us."

***

"Hey, back off, I don't need to be puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuushed!!!!!" As he said that, someone sent him whizzing down the corridor. Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
"So, uh, Jamie, you never did tell me how long you were going to be in a wheelchair for." Caitie's words came between sniggers.
"Great, now my own girlfriend is laughing at me. Just what I need. Thats made my day."
"But you do have to admit, it was kinda funny to see you go down the corridor at 40 mph."
"Not from my point of view. Everything is flying at you, and you have no way to stop until you crash into the wall."
"Hey, I'm sorry, ok? Do you like, need a hand or anything, or would I just be getting in your way?" Caitie took offence and was beginning to lose her temper with him.
"Um, yeah, I could do with an escort to stop people from shoving me down the corridor."
"Sure, I can handle that."
"I bet Monsieur Le Bon will be soooo pleased to se me. I can hear him now 'Monsieur Jamie, what 'ave you don to yourself? Why are you in a wheelchair? What iz zee meaning of zis? Iz it some kind of practical joke that you are playing on your poor French Teacher?' Bet he'll be real pleased to have to accommodate a wheelchair in the classroom."
"You still haven't told me how long your going to be in a wheelchair." Caitie wanted the truth.

"Only a couple of days tops. It's just until I get used to walking around with this neck retainer thing on. In case I have whiplash, I have to wear this thing for a week. I should think I'd have more than whiplash from having a great big sign fall on me."
"You're looking better though. I mean, your black eye is going, and the stitches don't look too bad."
"I dunno what I'm gunna tell Alex about my shift tonight. I don't think the squad will be too impressed." Just then the bell rang.
"Well into the torture of French I go. Wish me luck."
"Good luck." Caitie couldn't believe that he had said that he was worried about the squad. Usually he would of been happy to just not turn up, and leave it at that. It was ever since Kenny fell off the water tower at Halloween he'd been different. He was worried about not turning up without a genuine reason. Maybe he'd thought that Kenny was all his fault, and had vowed not to do it again. Either was, it was weird. Very weird. She'd have to talk to him about it later.

***

"Jamie you cannot do your shift in a wheelchair, Even if you sat in the back of the ambulance, by the time you got out it would be time for you to get back in again. You couldn't do anything. Now just go home and rest. Come back when you're not in the wheel chair." Jamie rolled out of the office nonchalantly.
"I feel really mean guys. I mean, this is the second shift in a row of the whole week of shifts that I haven't been here. And the day before Tyler wasn't here, so we've been one down all week. Well you have. I haven't because I'm not in the squad until I'm out of the wheelchair." Jamie explained the problem to Val, Hank and Tyler, who were all waiting outside the office to hear the verdict.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine, won't we guys?"
"Um, yeah, sure." Hank didn't sound sure
"It's about time you had a break anyway. Enjoy it." Tyler tried to sound like it was a good idea, but deep down each of them knew that they couldn't cope without the full team really. But still, there was no need to let Jamie know that. Not yet anyway.

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Ok, so the story's getting a bit weak now. I'm running out of creativity. I might have to leave it a week or two before putting in the final few chapters. But I can edit it and make sure there are no spelling mistakes. So that will be done before the next few chapters are up.